Interpretation

(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires“contractor” includes any person, firm or entity with whom a public body enters into any agreement for the carrying out of any building or other works or for the supply of any goods or services and includes a person who carries out such works or supplies such goods or services for or on behalf of any public body pursuant to a licence, permit or other concession or authority issued or granted to that person by a public body; “Contractor-General” means the Contractor-General appointed under section 3; “Council” means the Belize Advisory Council established under section 54 of the Constitution; CAP. 4. “functions” includes powers and duties; “the Minister” means the Minister responsible for finance; “prescribed licence” means any licence, certificate, quota, permit or warrant issued or granted pursuant to any enactment by a public body or an officer thereof; 6 “principal officer” means– (a) in relation to a Ministry, the Chief Executive Officer of that Ministry; (b) in relation to a Department, the Head of that Department; and (c) in relation to any other public body, the Chief Executive Officer, General Manager, or other similar officer of that body; “public body” means– (a) a Ministry, department or agency of Government; (b) a City Council or a Town Council; (c) a statutory body or authority; or CAP. 250. (d) any company registered under the Companies Act, being a company in which the Government or an agency of Government holds not less than fifty- one per centum of the ordinary shares; “public contract” means a contract awarded by a public body and includes any licence, permit or other concession or authority issued by a public body or agreement entered into by a public body for the carrying out of any building or other works or for the supply of any goods or services; “public officer” or “public service” has the meaning assigned to it under section 131 of the Belize Constitution; “Public Services Commission” means the Public Services Commission constituted under section 105 of the Belize Constitution. 7 (2) The references in this Act to a Ministry, department or agency of Government include a reference to the Minister, Minister of State, members or officers of that Ministry, department or agency.