Termination of school bus contracts, UDP alleges government of victimization

Belize: Allegeding People's United Party (PUP), opposition United Democratic Party (UDP), said, "Lately, it has been more evident that only PUP cronies are winning!"

The statement further said: "While we do understand that in politics, party members are often rewarded, the stakes are growing bigger. Legally binding contracts with persons who sacrifice tremendously in order to earn an income are now being disregarded to make space for political operatives."

Most persons who undertake contracts such as bus contractors often have to put their most prized possessions on the line in order to provide such service.

"This is done through loans, which in most cases, persons have to offer significant collateral; house, land, and in most cases, both. These assets are now on the line as school bus operators have all been replaced with PUP cronies," the statement read.

"While some will say, that's the nature of politics. This is a situation that reeks to the highest degree. While this opportunity may be politically connected, persons are providing a service.

Fuel expenses, drivers, and conductors must all be paid, coupled with high maintenance costs associated with servicing, especially those who provide transportation for teachers who commute to villages in remote areas. This leaves most operators with a very small pittance of a profit.

The least gratitude we should give to those who take our children and heroic and noble teachers daily to school is some sort of dignity.

The contracts should have been allowed to expire at the end of the school year. Some might want to say, but with covid19, school is out of session. While face to face contact is out session, teachers must still report to work to plan and prepare learning packages for distance learning. These teachers will be transported by new bus operators effective this Monday.

By notifying bus contractors of contract termination at the end of the school year, would have been a heads up for the transition to an alternative source of income, putting them in a better position to retain their assets as opposed to losing them due to an abrupt loss of income.

This is a very distasteful and immature act on the part of an Administration that pledge everybody fu win!"

Note: WIC News does not endorse any of the above content as the whole statement was published by the official account of the United Democratic Party.