Tag: 2024-04-23

Since it was inaugurated in October 1970, very little has been done to modernize the Assembly Building, the seat of power in Belize’s administrative capital.  Several months ago, it was announced that the historic edifice will undergo much needed renovation and that the National Assembly will be relocated temporarily to the George Price Center in Belmopan until work on the building have been completed.  Ahead of the remodeling, which is set to begin sometime in July, a series of consultations are being held with various stakeholders, including the media, on practical ways to improve the structure to enhance the visitor experience.  Today, House Speaker Valerie Woods discussed the round of meetings and what can be expected from the rehabilitation of the building.

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House

“Accessibility, a more modernized institution, one that will facilitate more inclusiveness by way of having a lift for those who have mobility issues and understanding that in 2024, the building and the institution has to be remodeled in a way that it accommodates women.  We didn‘t have them, we didn‘t have those amenities in place.  Flow, for both staff, for members, for media, as well, recognizing that the media is an important part of the institution and there has to be a space that is designed with that in mind and it‘s not an afterthought.  The public as well, and then the police, because you know the police provides security for the parliament but as the presiding officer, I don‘t necessarily know what they are dealing with outside.  And so it was important for us to get a perspective from them, in terms of the challenges they experience, so that the design can accommodate as best as it can and within the parameters of the budget, of course.  So we‘ve met with the senate, we‘ve had consultations along with the house committee.  We‘ve obviously met with the media, we‘ve met with the staff, and the police and we‘ve done that because before we get to the point of final design, it was important that we didn‘t hand down something but try our best within the parameters of the budget and the timeline to incorporate as much as we could from those who use the space on a regular basis.”

According to Speaker Woods, it was important to meet with the staff at the Office of the Clerk because those men and women are the ones who utilize the space on a daily basis.  The project, she says, will be completed in roughly one year.

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House

“The staff, for me, were one of the  more important groups to get feedback from the onset because unlike the media, unlike member, unlike the senators, even the police, they are the ones that are here, you know, five days a week, very early in the morning, very late at night and so the work environment and comfort is critical for their health and for their productivity.  So it was important that we got that one done in the first instance and we did.  And we are also in the midst of looking at the rate of completion, if you will, for the temporary location which is George Price Center.  Some of what we‘re getting done over there also helps with what we‘re trying to get done with the new, if you will, National Assembly.  In terms of timeline, the works really should commence late July, early August, thereabout, depending on when we can successfully move over to the George Price Center.  Completion right now is estimated anywhere between late May and early June of 2025.”

Members of the Board of Directors of Saint Francis Xavier Credit Union say they are concerned with the way the Registrar of Credit Unions is managing the institution’s funds. Viewers will recall that the board was ousted by the Registrar back in March 2023, following an audit of the credit union. That audit reportedly showed several deficiencies in the management of the credit union, as well as breaches of the Credit Union Act. The suspended board challenged the registrar’s takeover in court and lost. They have indicated that their intent is not to appeal the ruling. They are, however, questioning some of the decisions that they say are being made at the credit union currently. Here is what Everaldo Puk, the credit union’s suspended Chairman told reporters on Monday.

Everaldo Puk, Suspended Chairman, SFXCU

“We need to inform our members as to what has been occurring in the credit union and these are things which we have been learning from members who are coming out of the premises after having approached the personnel in there for different services. And one of the first things that we understand is that there are loan restrictions now. So, once you owe a balance you just wouldn’t qualify and go for a new loan which we would call refinancing, that’s completely out. In some cases, people who have the amount of savings that would cover the loan would still have their application denied, not contemplated at all because they say if you owe any balance, you just won’t qualify for any further loan. Our credit union has always been known for its willingness to contemplate assisting in emergencies now there have been several members that came out from the offices saying, ‘I went in there, I had an emergency, and I was told no there is no loan for emergencies.’ Fees for services rendered there have gone up and what really concerns us also is we look at major renovations going on without an approved budget and yet these are renovations that may be going contrary to already established plans.”

Contrary to reports, suspended SFXCU General Manager, Rafael Dominquez, asserts that the institution was not in any financial trouble under his leadership. He contends that the credit union was in a much better financial position under his leadership, even though huge red flags were raised over the familial ties he had at the time with other members of the managerial staff. Here is what Dominquez had to say.

Rafael Dominguez, Suspended General Manager, SFXCU

“At no time has there been any danger in the financial credit union. As a matter of fact, the figures are there to show that in 2023 the credit union kept growing. Nevertheless I need to point out that while checking on the figures as of December of 2023, recalling that we were suspended in March 2023 and then the Central Bank administrator came in place, the figures of December 2023 which is being stated on the Central Bank website showing that St. Francis Xavier Credit Union overall capital and liabilities has reduced from one hundred and seventeen million dollars ending March to some closer to one hundred and fifteen million dollars at ending of December. The loan portfolio has decreased as well from ninety million to eighty-seven million. So, we can see that something is triggering financial business of the credit union which is a concern for us that while we thought that well if the Central Bank is taking over things would be better but that is not the case.”