BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Sept. 22, 2022

Following the withdrawal of former diplomat Moises Cal from consideration for the post of chairman of the Public Services Commission (PSC)—in response to public outcry and objections by the Opposition and the Public Service Union (PSU)—Prime Minister John Briceño has selected another nominee for the post: Cresencio Sosa. A letter has been sent to the Opposition by the Prime Minister’s office to request feedback on the nomination as part of the necessary consultation that must take place. Minister of the Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform, Hon. Henry Charles Usher, said in an interview this week that he does not know whether there has been a response from the Opposition.

Sosa is a known supporter of the PUP and was Permanent Secretary and CEO in the Ministry of Investment during the tenure of Ralph Fonseca, who at the time was the Minister of Budget Management and Home Affairs, and was also 2nd CEO in the Ministry of Finance when Fonseca headed that ministry. He has sat on a number of boards of directors during his years of public service.

His nomination comes at a time when there is a mounting heap of tasks to be carried out by the Public Service Commission. Minister Usher has indicated that a number of issues such as promotions, appointments, and disciplinary matters have to be addressed by the commission as soon as it is reconvened.

The government is awaiting an affirmative response from the Opposition so that it can finalize the appointment of Sosa. A number of vacant seats on the commission also need to be filled in order to have a fully functioning PSC.