Email

Print

Another issue raised relating to the Health Ministry's 1.6 million dollar project is how the contractor was chosen. In the Ministry of Finance MEMO it states "the Ministry of Finance has no objection to the award of the contract for the construction to Joehann construction and Engineering Ltd. The Ministry of Finance also has no objection to the use of the limited tendering procedure." 

Joehann construction is owned by Rolando and Yanira Montero, the brother and sister-in-law of Works Minster Rene Montero. We asked Marin if this familial connection had anything to do with the selection.

Hon. Pablo Marin - Health Minister
"Like the Fin. Sec mentioned, it was done with due diligence, everything was done, I think it was 4 estimates that were put and the cheapest one was there, the person has already worked, so I don't think there is nothing wrong with that."

Reporter
"Truth be told over the years with government contracts it has been seen and it is known, the list is out there that whenever it comes to these contracts it is either family members or very close friends of the current administration who are afforded these contracts and one would dare to say that it is leading towards nepotism."

Hon. Pablo Marin
"But everybody in Belize know each other or is a family or is related somewhere so I don't think we can put that."