APP
The Belize Times Established 1957
4 AUGUST 2019 | ISSUE NO: 5158
The Truth Shall Make You Free
www.belizetimes.biz | $1.00
MONTERO AGAIN! Thursday, August 1, 2019 One month ago, Belizeans were taxed by this UDP administration through the Social Security Board (SSB), forced to pay much more in contributions because the fund was drying up. The nation was told that the SSB’s path was unsustainable, and that if there was no increase, it would mean dark days for the SSB, the end of an institution. The only resort, we were told, is that we needed to pay more. But if that is the case, then why is Social Security about to be raided for another $1.67M, a contract which the Ministry of Finance has verified will come from a GRANT from NHI funds managed by the SSB? In a memo from the Ministry of Finance, the Prime Minister’s Ministry, dated July 29, 2019, the Ministry “has no objection to the award of contract for the construction of the Central Medical Stores building in Belmopan to Joehann Construction and Engineering Limited.” Readers will recall that Joehann Construction and Engineering Limited is a company owned by the brother of Minister of Works Rene Montero, Rolando Montero. It is a company which has been in the spotlight before, since it was formed around the very same time that it was awarded a multi-million dollar contract for the construction of the municipal building which serves the Twin Towns. Now it will benefit from another contract, worth $1.67M, and we are told that this money will come from SSB monies allocated for National health Insurance. But it gets worse. A source from the SSB has told the Belize Times that it is illegal for NHI money to be used for any other purpose other than the Insurance scheme. The source claims that any such application for the use of the funds would have to go before the Board of Social Security for approval, and this newspaper has been able to confirm that no such application for the use of those funds has gone before the Board. The leader of the People’s United Party, Hon. John Briceño has written to the Minister of Finance, the Prime Minister, demanding an explanation for this proposed illegality. In his urgent letter dated today, Briceño states – “I bring to your attention that the letter and spirit of this law do not allow for this. The provisions are clear that the NHI funds can only be used for NHI services and/or NHI related expenses. The construction of this building
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NEW TAX: PASSENGER USE FEE
LA GRACIA: MACHETES TO NIP CORRUPTION
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SANCTUARY BAY SAGA: PELAYO AND THE CENTRAL BANK
150 DAYS TO ANOTHER SSB INCREASE