Minister Fonseca supports leave for Ministers as audit gets underway

By Zoila Palma:  Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Education and Culture Francis Fonseca says that he supports the actions taken following procurement concerns within the Ministry of Defence.

“I learned a long, long time ago to, to stay away from the finance officer and the ministries. As you know, the CEO was already accounting officers for the ministries. So as the minister, my job is policy. My job is not to interfere in contracts and to interfere with the finance officer. The only time we meet really is when budget time, when they say, listen, we need you to go to cabinet and fight for for our budget. And these are the priorities. So, you know, I, I’m not engaged, as you said. I’m aware of these thresholds,” Fonseca said during an interview with 7News Belize.

Minister Fonseca says that he is aware of “some level of abuse that’s takes place, in the public service, with these thresholds.”

“I certainly support the actions that have been taken so far. Placing these substantive ministers on leave, and then ensuring that a proper audit is done. And that’s important. We have to make sure that it’s the audit is done properly, that it’s, it’s a comprehensive audit. And wherever that leads, we have to allow it to lead, you know, to go, wherever that leads coming out of,” Minister Fonseca added.

Minister Fonseca says that he believes these are appropriate actions and as more information becomes available, there may be need for further action.

The post Minister Fonseca supports leave for Ministers as audit gets underway appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.