Minister Julius Espat Defends Fairness in Infrastructure Projects, Denies Political Bias Against Opposition

In reflection on the operations at the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing, (MIDH), Minister Julius Espat told Love News that he can say that he has been fair in his working relationship with those on the opposition side.  Our newsroom asked Espat if he uses his ministerial office to play politics when it comes to servicing the areas that are represented by those from the UDP.  The question came about when Espat called out members of the opposition for being hypocrites as some had indicated that he has not addressed their concerns.

Reporter: Have you had like requests from opposition members or other political opponents that you don’t really give priority to or do you play politics with their? 

Julius Espat, Minister, Infrastructure Development and Housing: “After they cuss you up. After they cuss you up.  I am cordial to all of them. All of them have their requests and we pass it through to the system and we follow up. I have a good working relationship with all…. I don’t know which leader I’m speaking of. Tracy communicates with me once in a while when she needs something and I respond to her. Honorable Patrick does the same and I respond to him. The young boy in Orange Walk, Mr. Hugo, well he doesn’t speak so I really, he only speaks about one thing in the house repetitively but he never comes to us for help. So I can’t help if he doesn’t ask. And the honorable Shyne he jokes but he doesn’t ask. And so we respond to them. But what we do is we serve the constituencies that they represent. Anybody that comes from their constituency that needs assistance, and we can, we do so. Good politics we play. We serve all Belizeans despite the fact if they’re red, blue, or any other color. That’s our motto here at the ministry. Of course, right now we will draw the line and do what we need to do because we are two weeks away from a general election. But we draw the line politically, we don’t draw the line at the ministry. I think that has been part of our success, that we have been able to work in all constituencies as best as we can. But politics will be played and they will say things, we will say things. It’s the nature of what we do.”

Reporter: Is that why you highlighted the issue of hypocrisy at the last house meeting? 

Julius Espat, Minister, Infrastructure Development and Housing: “No, I highlighted it because it’s a fact. I can’t deal with two-faced people. If I am going to do something I will do it. If I promise you  we will get something done, we do it, but don’t throw your hand and then pull it back. That’s a hypocrite and I don’t tolerate that. I don’t tolerate that from anybody, neither the ones in my side, so it’s across the board.“

Espat is a third term Area Representative who is currently seeking re-election on March 12.