By Belize Live News Staff: The Belize Senate engaged in a heated debate on a $106 million supplementary appropriation bill aimed at covering expenses for the 2023/2024 fiscal year and providing additional funding for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. The proposal faced resistance from Opposition and social partner senators, who criticized the move as a result of poor financial planning.
UDP Senator Michael Peyrefitte was particularly vocal, calling out the government for requesting additional funds with only four months left in the fiscal year. He labeled the move as an attempt to cover up budgetary mismanagement, emphasizing the significant burden it places on taxpayers.
Business Senator Kevin Herrera echoed these sentiments, raising concerns about repeated inconsistencies in defense and border security budgets. He pointed out that requests for additional funds, including $3.3 million for military expenses, were becoming a pattern, with little oversight into how previous allocations were spent.
Leader of Government Business Eamon Courtenay acknowledged the concerns but defended the supplementary budget. He stated that the funds were essential for ongoing projects and reiterated the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability. Courtenay urged the Senate to approve the budget, emphasizing that the projects supported by the bill are critical to national development.
