Posted: Wednesday, December 14, 2016. 11:28 a.m. CST.
By BBN Staff: “We find that explanation ludicrous and deceitful on the part of Mr. Barrow and Senator Retreage,” the Opposition PUP said in a statement following Minister Vanessa Retreage’s resignation from Cabinet.
In a press conference yesterday, PM Barrow indicated that Retreage had not resigned from the Ministry of Natural Resources, Office of the Attorney General and the House of Senate. Instead he claimed that she had only agreed to serve in those capacities for one year.
The PUP, however, is skeptical and has noted that Senator Retreage was given the Attorney General’s post a year ago and was posted to the Ministry of Natural Resources just 4 months ago.
“Neither she nor the Prime Minister mentioned this year long commitment,” the release continued.
The PUP has alleged that Retreage resigned because death threats were made against her due to her involvement in an investigation of illegal land transaction carried out at the Lands Department by the former Minister and his close associates.
“There are reports that Senator Retreage received death threats as a result of investigations being carried out at the Ministry of Natural Resources,” the PUP said. “The PUP condemns such threats against any public servant who is trying to execute their fiduciary duties,” it continued.
Retreage confirmed that she received death threats in an email but said that the email was a spam from a corrupt server in the US.
“The People’s United Party calls for an immediate audit of the Ministry of Natural Resources. The people of Belize have demanded transparency and accountability in the management of their finances and assets, and not the obvious deflections, distractions and optical illusions practiced by the Prime Minister at every turn,” the release concluded.
© 2016, www.breakingbelizenews.com. This article is the copyrighted property of Breaking Belize News. Written permission must be obtained before reprint in online or print media. REPRINTING CONTENT WITHOUT PERMISSION AND/OR PAYMENT IS THEFT AND PUNISHABLE BY LAW.