The new PUP government has launched a Commission of Inquiry into the fire sale of a fleet of government vehicles in the weeks leading up to the general elections last November 11, 2020. And the findings so far are very disturbing, even scandalous.

There are a number of other vexing issues that should also incite commissions of inquiry, issues that relate to the goings-on in the same past UDP administration, when the Belize economy was being artificially buoyed by the God-given wealth emanating from one producing oil well, and also from the Petro Caribe deal. Absent these two blessings upon the country’s financial position, the more contentious social/economic climate that would have existed would likely have led to much greater scrutiny and public debate about very large projects and industry decisions made by the government of the day. But with the economy seeming to be doing okay, the then UDP government was arrogantly free to act like a runaway horse, making huge and bold decisions, with massive long-term impact on our country’s economy and future. And, unfortunately, there was not the energized and necessary scrutiny from the Opposition, who were at the time cowered and quieted by repeated public accusations of their own past misdeeds while in office.

Of course, at the time there were a few voices “crying in the wilderness,” demanding explanations and answers; but they were mostly, in the words of then P.M. Barrow, unable to show their “legions” in street demonstrations. Indeed, the urgency of the issues was often lost upon a population divided between those beholden by party loyalty, and others made timid by concerns of political victimization.

Meanwhile, the economy did appear to be healthy “on paper,” but the “good times” were being experienced by only a sector of the population, while a significant portion remained stuck in poverty and unemployment.

Yes, there were critics on various media platforms lamenting the fickle nature of tourism, upon which the bulk of our economy was buttressed, but they were either ignored or chastised by a government on a roll, with success after success at the polls, where victory was secured by campaigns whose wheels were well lubricated by the relentless servings from oil and Petro Caribe, and also by timely grants for “poverty alleviation” from our faithful friend, Taiwan. (In hindsight, that there was any need of outside assistance for “poverty alleviation,” despite roaring tourism and the steady inflows from oil and Petro Caribe, should have been a warning signal that all was not what it seemed with the Belizean economy, even before the advent of Covid-19.)

Governments are to lead, not dictate; that’s why we say we have a democracy. And when it comes to the nation’s greatest assets, the people should be educated and involved so that at least we understand what is going on, and can give our tacit approval or strong disapproval before the deed is done.

Those are lessons we should have learned from the reckless fiscal adventures of the previous PUP administration 1998-2008. We recall, and were often reminded by the UDP of, all the PUP shenanigans involving BTL-Intelco, Universal Health Services (UHS), the Social Security Board (SSB) and Development Finance Corporation (DFC), that often involved billionaire Michael Ashcroft and his Belize Bank in transactions that always seemed to hurt the Belizean people. But when it was the same UDP slipping down that same slope in 2008-2020, it seems that the then Opposition PUP were quite ineffective as the people’s watchdog, as they remained, and were effectively kept, in defensive mode against persistent ridicule and condemnation by the UDP leader, who issued never-ending reminders of the PUP’s past transgressions and branded them a “malignant tumor.”

But that was then; and this is now, 2021, with the PUP back in government and under a new leader. And not only is this new PUP administration desirous of proving that they have turned a new leaf and have disavowed themselves of any vestiges of the discredited “Ralphonomics” of the past; but circumstances now dictate that they follow through with campaign promises of following the money trail and taking any action possible to retrieve government assets illegally taken or disposed of by corrupt members of the past administration. As new P.M. Briceño announced to the nation shortly after taking office and reviewing the government’s fiscal position, “Belize bruk.”

Now that the new government administration is by force of circumstances inclined to really seek out past corrupt actions in order to improve government’s finances, it is perhaps a good time to also inquire into matters that have seriously concerned many citizens — the effects of which continue to impact the life and economy of our nation. Belizeans are still in the dark on too many important national issues, regarding which we have been served only superficial, one-sided propaganda. We need a thorough, unbiased investigation and explanation of some matters that only a commission of inquiry can give. Some deals and decisions that come to mind where a commission of inquiry would be helpful include: the Santander Sugar Company project, the ASR/BSI sale transaction, the final BTL sale agreement reportedly brokered in a Miami hotel by P.M. Barrow; and while we’re at it, why not include the closing down of Williamson Industries and Nova Shrimp Farm, two massive employers of Belizean workers that suddenly closed their doors with many unanswered questions, both in the first decade of the new millennium. At least there should be some questions asked, investigations done, to have the record clear as to what really happened, why so many hardworking Belizeans had to lose their jobs.

Perhaps, with the ICJ suspense on the Guatemalan claim still hanging over our heads, it is probably best to start with Santander, a Guatemalan-based company that reportedly acquired 20,000 acres of prime Belizean land in the Cayo District for its sugar project. What’s this all about? There are many questions that still confound Belizean citizens. After all, isn’t sugar an embattled industry with a not-too-bright future worldwide? We already had ASR/BSI in the north. Why weren’t caneros aided in their quest to become part-owners of ASR/BSI? Belize’s precious rain forest is the envy of many nations. Our best agricultural lands are in our rain forest. Why destroy thousands of acres of our rain forest/prime agricultural lands to plant, of all things, sugar cane? How much has this project affected our precious wildlife, a great part of what makes us a tourist attraction? How has it affected our waterways and other small farmers growing food crops in the area? How many Belizean jobs, high and low-paying, were/are being generated by Santander? How much foreign exchange was brought into, and is being brought into, Belize by Santander? Who owns Santander? What is the impact of aerial insecticide spraying from this massive mono-culture venture upon the water quality in our rivers, and by extension its impact on our Barrier Reef? These are just a few of the questions that come to a layman’s mind.

The point is that Santander, this huge entity taking up thousands of acres of our former rain forest, just seemed to pop up right out of nowhere; and we ordinary Belizeans had not a clue what it was all about. We still don’t. And likewise with other major government-approved projects on which we have neither been informed nor consulted.

After all, who owns this place? The politicians or the people? Of course, not on every little matter; but before signing off on these big things, just check with the owners, the people, first, guys.

Let’s have some more Commissions of Inquiry into these major projects and industry decisions so that the Belizean people can be better informed about this country that “God’s goodness” gave to all of us, “before we lose it.”