New Auditor General Appointed Despite Opposition’s Concerns Over Nepotism

Parliament has confirmed the appointment of a new Auditor General with effect from January 1, 2025 to July 2047.  Deputy Prime Minister Cordel Hyde presented the Bill pertaining to the appointment, just after midday today.  With this motion, Maria Annel Rodriguez was formally appointed as the country’s new Auditor General.  It is an appointment that the Leader of the Opposition, Moses Shyne Barrow, rose to object on record, citing nepotism and a lacking of the necessary qualifications.  

Cordel Hyde, Lake Independence Area Representative: “And whereas Maria Anel Rodriguez holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of South Wales and a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting from the University of Belize. And whereas Maria Anel Rodriguez has considered experience in the office of the auditor general and has held senior posts such as supervisor of audit and deputy auditor general now therefore be it resolved that this Honorable House recommends that Maria Anel Rodriguez be appointed as Auditor General effective January 1st, 2025 until July 28, 2047 when she attains the grand age of 65.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow, Leader of the Opposition: “Madam Speaker the opposition vehemently objects to the appointment of Ms.Rodriguez as the Auditor General. Madam Speaker, this appointment is nothing more than the ultimate highlight of cronyism and nepotistic advancements, Madam Speaker. Since we got word of this potential appointment we have been doing our research, Madam Speaker, and the public officers that have been reaching out, in particular public officers in the office of the Auditor General information that will give rise to all that I have said about nepotism and cronyism and put into question the qualifications of Ms. Rodriguez, Madam Speaker. It starts with illegal promotions. Madam Speaker, there is evidence that Ms. Rodriguez was promoted illegally twice. Now if something starts wrong usually it continues wrong and it will only end wrong, Madam Speaker. Ms. Rodriguez, Madam Speaker, she was promoted illegally to supervisor of audit.  Also, she did not have the required master’s degree and got promoted by the commission after obtaining the certified fraud examiner designation, which is a temporary promotion, Madam Speaker, and only lasts for one year. So how can she get a permanent promotion based on a temporary qualification, Madam Speaker? That is one thing. Cherry picking Ms. Rodriguez for the promotion to supervisor at this point Ms. Rodriguez was not in possession of the master’s degree required for these promotions by the speaker at the time. This was followed up by a letter from the Ministry of Public Service to a query from a public officer complaining about being superseded by Ms. Rodriguez.”

Defending the appointment of Rodriguez was the Minister of Public Service, Henry Charles Usher, who took issue with Barrow’s criticism of public officers.  According to Usher, Rodriguez’ hard work was acknowledged under the Dean Barrow administration which he tasked the opposition leader to take up with his father.

Henry Charles Usher, Fort George Area Representative: “It is very clear that the only objective the Leader of the Opposition had today was to try to disparage the reputation of a senior public officer who has worked very hard and served this country for a number of years, Madam Speaker. And I cannot understand how it is that he has this track record of continuing to disparage our hard-working public officers. It is a fact that Ms Rodriguez has held senior posts in the office of the Auditor General. and I asked him to state the date when she received that promotion because that promotion happened in 2014 under the UDP government and a Minister of Finance who was his father. So maybe he should check with the former Prime Minister to see if he was satisfied with the work being done by Ms. Rodriguez at the time because as I recall he was also the Minister of the Public Service at that particular time. So Madam Speaker he comes in here and tries to suggest or create the impression that this is being done. because it’s somebody new. No, Ms. Rodriguez has worked in the office of the Auditor General for a number of years. She has qualified herself and she applied. There was the publication and the vacancy was published. The requisite time frame was kept to and five persons applied for the position. Mr. Gerald Henry did not apply. So instead of writing that letter for you, he should have applied if he wanted to be the Auditor General. There was an interview panel that was established, consisting of members of the Public Service Commission, from the Office of the Prime Minister, from the Ministry of Public Service, et cetera. Interviews were done with the persons who applied, and Ms. Rodriguez received the highest score. That is how promotions are done in the public service.”

Also rising to defend the appointment of a new Auditor General was Prime Minister John Briceno.

AG RODRIGUEZ 3

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The House Meeting continues at this hour with a long list of motions and bills yet to be presented.