By Belize Live News Staff: Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar Panton is calling for immediate transparency and accountability following revelations that over $80,000 in public funds were misappropriated from the Spanish Lookout office of the Transport Department.
In a public statement issued today, Taegar Panton criticized what she described as a “glaring lack of oversight” and called on the Government of Belize to release the findings of the internal audit that began under the previous administration. She also urged the Office of the Auditor General to conduct an independent investigation, free from political interference.
“This isn’t optional. Accountability in public finance is an obligation,” she stated. The Opposition leader raised concerns that the total amount stolen may be much higher than initially reported and that the scandal was only brought to light thanks to members of the Mennonite community.
Taegar Panton warned that the misuse of public funds is not isolated and reflects deeper systemic issues within the government’s financial management. “Every dollar stolen from the public purse is a dollar denied to schools, hospitals, and other social safety net services our people depend on,” she said.
She pledged that the Opposition will remain vigilant and continue to press for answers and justice on behalf of the Belizean people.
