By Belize Live News Staff: While questioning a reported $450,000 contract for the Director of Procurement, Opposition Leader Tracy Panton says her own office receives no funding at all.
Panton says that despite repeated written requests to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Office of the Leader of the Opposition receives not a single penny to carry out its official responsibilities.
She described the office as a constitutional office with oversight responsibilities.
“Funding for the Office of the Leader of the Opposition is essential to democratic oversight and must not depend on the political discretion of the Government being scrutinized,” Panton said.
Her comments came in a statement on the reported renewal of Rey Guerrero’s contract as Director of Procurement, which reportedly carries a $160,000 annual salary, allowances and a 20 percent gratuity.
Panton said true accountability requires both transparency in Government spending and proper resources for the institutions that scrutinize it.
“Belizeans deserve both,” she wrote.
