NTUCB Opposes Government’s Compulsory Acquisition of Stake Bank Lands

The National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB) is calling on the government to refrain from making its October gazette publication regarding the compulsory acquisition of Stake Bank lands.  A three page letter was sent to the Prime Minister five days ago, indicating that the basis for the acquisition is in no way for public purpose.  It went further by saying that the Stake Bank Enterprises is a private business and although it would be use to advance cruise tourism, it is still not considered for a public purpose.  According to the union, the move the government is making is merely to assist the international investors from losing rather than for the Belizean people.  In conclusion, the NTUCB has told the government to leave the Stake Bank matter to go before the courts.  As an alternative, however, the union has suggested that if the government insists on taking over the Stake Bank project that they go about it using the Land Acquisition (Promoters) Act (LAPA), providing that the required procedures are followed.  According to the union, the LAPA would be more fitting than the Land Acquisition (Public Purposes) Act as it, quote, “provides for the acquisition of private land by a promoter or developer after an inquiry which shows, and the National Assembly approves, that the purpose for which the land is required by the promoter is likely to prove useful to the public or to a substantial class or section of the public, and the promoter has given security for the costs of the acquisition and all compensation relating thereto, and has entered into an agreement with the Government.”  End of quote.   Our newsroom reached out to the NTUCB President Luke Martinez for an interview, but he declined and referred us to the Prime Minister.