Belize PM dismisses secret deal claim

 Belizean Prime Minister Dean Barrow has brushed aside allegations by the main opposition People’s Unity Party (PUP) that he signed a secret deal with the Canadian-based Fortis company regarding the nationalisation of Belize Electricity Limited (BECOL).

In August, Prime Minister Barrow announced that the government had reached a settlement with Fortis over the nationalisation of BECOL.

He said then that the deal involved a 70 million Belize dollar payment and 33 per cent of shares to be retained by Fortis.

However, PUP outgoing legislator, Lisa Shoman, told a news conference that there is a secret deal contained in a document.

But in dismissing the allegation, Prime Minister Barrow said every document related to the settlement with Fortis was disclosed and attached to a bill taken to the House.