The Senate Special Select Committee (SSSC) voiced its disappointment after Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie and Minister of State Christopher Coye declined to answer questions during a public hearing on the Portico Definitive Agreement.
Both officials, appearing with legal counsel Senator Eamon Courtenay, made opening statements but refused to provide any further testimony, sparking frustration from the committee.
In a press release issued after the hearing, the SSSC expressed its discontent with the witnesses’ refusal to engage in the inquiry. “The Committee was surprised at the witnesses' failure to participate in the Public Hearing,” the statement read, adding that the Committee found it “unacceptable” that Minister Coye's opening remarks appeared to cast aspersions on the work of the inquiry. The Committee called on both Coye and Leslie to reconsider their decision and “meaningfully support the work of the SSSC in this important matter of public interest.”
The public hearing was convened as part of the Committee’s investigation into the controversial Portico Definitive Agreement, a deal signed between the Government of Belize and Portico Enterprises in 2020 for the development of a new cruise port. The inquiry is focused on examining whether the agreement followed proper government procedures and assessing its potential impact on Belize's economic and environmental landscape.
Cabinet Secretary Stuart Leslie, in his brief statement, maintained that Cabinet deliberations are confidential by law and that he was unable to disclose any documents or discussions related to the agreement. “As Cabinet Secretary, I took an oath to uphold the laws and the constitution of Belize and I intend to be faithful to that oath,” Leslie stated, reiterating that he was “not in a position to assist the committee with any evidence or documents.”
Minister Coye, while providing a more detailed account of the agreement’s timeline, similarly declined to answer further questions. He explained that the project had initially been introduced by the previous administration and had undergone several stages of review, including legal assessments and consultations with the Ministry of Tourism. Despite preparing a Cabinet paper and draft legislation in early 2023, Coye noted that “Cabinet did not approve the paper,” effectively stalling the project.
While both officials emphasized their legal constraints, the SSSC pressed for greater cooperation, suggesting that the refusal to participate hampered efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the government’s handling of the Portico agreement. The Committee's press release underscored the importance of these hearings in maintaining public trust, particularly in light of the government's commitment to good governance reforms following its January 2021 Good Governance Motion.
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