Land Distribution in Northern Belize Draws Attention; Minister Awaits Official Proceedings Amid Villager Inquiry

Turning to northern Belize, Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde said that he is aware of a proposed land distribution in San Victor Village in Corozal but has not received anything official. On February 15, more than two hundred residents of the village gathered to inquire about lots which were reportedly being distributed by a private landowner. According to Village Chairman Martin Rivera, the landowner has around 80 acres which will be subdivided and distributed to first time landowners and those with families. Minister Hyde says that as far as he knows the area representative has resolved any concerns stemming from the situation.

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources: “I heard about it but no official complaint came to us. I heard that someone was going around issuing lots in there even though it’s quite possible that the ministry surveyed those lots to be issued to villagers in conjunction with the area representative and the village council. That’s part of what we do. The area representative and the village council with identify lands that they want either for government to acquire or for government to subdivide. Lot’s of times we have to acquire those lands because there is just not enough national lands around and so and then we would actually survey it for them, we spend millions of dollars on surveys you know so that people can get these lots at the lowest possible cost. But that particular one no official complaint came to us. I imagine the area representative there along with his people may have handled that the way they saw fit.”

Chairman Rivera told Love News that the villagers are waiting the conclusion of the General Elections to begin working on their paperwork for the transfers./