Questions Mount Over Airstrip Security Contracts Tied to PUP Associates

Tonight, questions are swirling around the awarding of two security contracts for operations at the city’s municipal airstrip, amid concerns over political favoritism. The scrutiny follows heightened security measures implemented after last month’s hijacking incident, which initially saw police officers conducting passenger searches before boarding. Since then, the police presence has been replaced by personnel from two private security firms. The companies, I-Security and Four Diamond Security, are reportedly both linked to individuals with close ties to the ruling People’s United Party (PUP). Our newsroom has confirmed that I-Security is owned by Ian Cal, a former PUP Town Councilor and the current Chairman of the Orange Walk East Executive Committee. The second contract was awarded to a company owned by Michael Estephan Jr., whose family is said to have close connections with senior members of the PUP. The appointments have raised eyebrows, with critics questioning whether the contracts were granted on the basis of merit or political affiliation. Yesterday, our newsroom asked PUP Chairman and Minister of the Public Service, Henry Charles Usher, about the situation. He responded to whether he believes political connections played any role in the selection of the companies. 

Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Public Service and Governance: “Well I think that once the proper procedures were put in place in terms of the procurement for the services being provided by these security companies then it shouldn’t be a disadvantage that they’re associated with any political party. I personally know Mr.Estefan. I have never known him to be a political, you know somebody that goes out there in full support of any political party. He’s a well known businessman, entrepreneur. Mr.Cal yes he ran and he was a town councillor under the People’s United Party but that does not remove him from being able to get any contracts now. He’s no longer a councilor, he does have an established security firm. I think what is important is the services that they’re providing there must be a mechanism in place to assess those services to be able to say that if they’re not keeping up to standard that we need to review those contracts. But if they are doing a good job, if they are providing the services needed then I don’t see any problem with it.”

While there has not been any release from the government, our newsroom understands that the contracts were awarded in the range of 3 million dollars.