Chamber of Commerce Slams the House of Representatives on UHS Loan

The Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry has issued a release on the U.H.S. loan motion for ninety-five point six million dollars and increasing which was taken to the House on August thirty-first. The B.C.C.I. is critical of both sides of the House saying that neither had the intention to constructively resolve the decade-old debt saga and so neither is exempted from blame.  The Chamber says that the debt is a specific example of the carelessness and irresponsibility of our leaders toward the country they are elected to lead.  According to the B.C.C.I., “A much smaller debt, wrongfully incurred, was shunted from court to court, and now that debt has grown to monstrous levels. True leadership would address the matter squarely, rather than leave this debt to become yet more atrocious. It notes that the ruling party announces, in advance, its intention to make it some other generation’s problem, no matter what the ultimate cost. Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition in turn, chose to walk out instead of voting, abdicating their sworn -and salaried- duty.” But the organization further states that parliament must uphold the rule of law since the nation’s highest court has ruled that the debt is lawful, and must be paid; that that decision is final and binding on Belize, whether we are pleased with the decision or not. Parliament’s duty was, therefore, to vote to ensure that the debt is paid. The B.C.C.I. also recommends a series of reforms to strengthen Government’s financial and fiscal risk.