March 8, 2017
The Senate Special Select Committee convened once again in the Chamber of the National Assembly of Belize in Belmopan, to progress with their investigation into the Auditor General’s Special Visa and other findings Report on the Immigration and Nationality Department for the period 2011-2013.
At today’s hearing, Former UDP Deputy Mayor, Belize City Council, Eric Chang, was the first witness to appear before the Senate Special Select Committee to answer to accusations made against him. The Committee interrogated Mr. Chang straight through to their lunch break at 12:15 P.M.
When the Hearing resumed, second in line to testify before the Committee was Mr. Patrick Tillett, former Finance Comptroller at the Belize City Council. The Committee asked Mr. Tillett various questions as well on similar allegations made towards him. Shortly after Mr. Tillett’s interrogation, Mr. Lindsay Wade, Immigration Clerk, appeared before the SSSC to respond to questions regarding the eight missing visa foils mentioned in the Auditor Generals Report, which is being alleged that he took. However, Mr. Wade was behaving in a quite adversarial manner and not much information was gathered.
Mr. Rodolfo Bol Jr., Information Technology Manager at the Immigration Department was to appear as a fourth witness today, but once again due to the time taken up by the first three witnesses, he was reschedule to appear before the Committee at the next meeting.
The hearing commenced at 10:20 A.M. and was suspended at 3:35 P.M.
All Committee Members were present at today hearing, Chairman- Senator Aldo Salazar, Senator Carla Barnett, Senator Elena Smith, Senator Eamon Courtenay, Senator Markhelm Lizarraga and Senator Ashley Rocke.
