Senate Report on Portico Agreement Faces Uncertain Fate After Being Blocked

Will the work done by the Senate Special Select Committee (SSSC) be in vain? Last year, the committee was established to investigate the controversial “Portico Definitive Agreement” and compile a report. However, that report was reportedly blocked from being tabled in the last Senate meeting on February 12. On Thursday, February 6, the SSSC submitted an electronic copy of their report, including a Budget Expenditure Report, to the Office of the Senate President. The Committee requested that the report be presented to the Senate and be laid on the Table and printed, as per the Standing Orders. However, on Sunday, February 9, the Senate President informed the committee that there was a need for due diligence before proceeding with the presentation. She stated that “compelled, by my constitutional duty to protect both the integrity of the Senate and taxpayers’ money. This requires conducting due diligence prior to acceding to your request, such that I am satisfied, as far as is practical and can reasonably be ascertained, that the Report contains nothing that opens the Government of Belize to a lawsuit.” In response, the SSSC has urged the Senate President to proceed swiftly with the necessary due diligence and ensure the report is made public at the next Senate meeting. The Committee believes that it has fulfilled its mandate and that the next steps now rest with the Senate President’s office. However, now that the Senate has completed its term, whether the report will be buried is anyone’s guess.