Prime Minister schools Cabinet and CEOs on proper spending and accountability

By William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. July 9, 2026

   The recent whistleblower revelations of screenshots of hundreds of under-$10,000 payments by various ministries, which escaped scrutiny by the Contractor General and the Financial Secretary, have prompted Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño to personally and unequivocally instruct his Ministers and Chief Executive Officers about proper procurement practices.

   At a special Cabinet meeting to which all Ministers, CEOs and accounting officers of every ministry were summoned on Tuesday, July 7, the Financial Secretary, Contractor General, and Auditor General focused on presenting an in-depth explanation of best practices in public procurement. They also discussed comprehensively the laws governing public finances and spending.

   This special meeting emphasized the Administration’s firm commitment to strengthen governance, to enhance transparency, and to ensure strict adherence to the law.

   Financial Secretary Joseph Waight outlined the fiscal and economic imperatives for efficient public procurement. Contractor General Maria Arthurs explained national best practices, common irregularities, and the best way to get value for money. Auditor General Maria Rodriguez reviewed recurring audit findings supported by the evidence, and highlighted opportunities to tighten internal controls across all government agencies.

   Briceño said the meeting was “a critical component of the government’s ongoing public sector transformation agenda.” They also discussed the key provisions of the Finance and Audit Reform Act (FARA), the Stores Orders and their accompanying regulations. The Ministers and CEOs talked candidly about how to improve compliance, streamline approval processes, and eliminate bureaucratic delays that may result in cost overruns or breaches of procedure.

   After the meeting, the Prime Minister directed the Ministries of Finance and the Public Service to work with the Offices of the Contractor General and the Auditor General to design a mandatory, continuous professional development programme on procurement procedures for all Ministers, CEOs, Financial Officers, and senior procurement officers. They also agreed to establish a technical working group to review and recommend any necessary legislative amendments to strengthen the procurement regime against malpractices.

   The Prime Minister’s Office reaffirmed that “similar high-level oversight sessions will continue across the public service to foster a culture of responsible decision-making, continuous improvement, and effective service delivery.”