And while Petro-talk dominated today's very long and very news-heavy press conference, we did get to ask the Minister of Natural Resources about those
parcels of land on Northern Caye Caulker. As we reported last week, two British retirees and the former chairman of Caye Caulker are among a group of
at least 14 landowners who had beachfront property – only to find that new lots had been created on the beach and seabed in front of their properties.
Those 14 landowners had retained an attorney – but after two years with no progress – they called in the media. Well, seems the matter was resolved
faster than you can say "election di cohn!" Today at the prime minister's press conference Lands Minister Gaspar Vega said that as many as 15 leases
for beach land and seabed had been cancelled:…
Hon. Gaspar Vega - Minister of Lands
"There's 100 of people being affected by this act. This is something that started from 2004. So far, the people on the television complaining about
they being disenfranchised of their beach front. That was not so, just that they did not come visit us, they either went to the media before they came
to us. Because that was a case that was brought to us I think in 2011 and immediately the permission to survey was cancelled. They were some leases
issued. I think they brought 7 cases to us and they were all cancelled - the leases. But I want to tell you that so far, they're's two titles, two
persons that are actually being effected with the two titles that this administration issued - and there is about 4 we collected purchase price - we
did not issue title and we are going to be dealing with those two persons with the title to see if we can relocate them or do some kind type of
negotiation with them to alleviate that problem. The ones prior to this administration, it's even more complicated because they're some cases where, I
see someone by the name of Renan Briceno, owning a whole lot of beach front. It affects a lot of people. We have somebody like Rodla construction, that
affects probably hundreds of people."
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
"I was informed Mr. Villanueva that the issue has not been settled as yet. Yet, I spoke immediately to that with the Minister of Natural Resources,
just 3 days ago and he guaranteed me that - it was about 7 leases that were cancelled and the the only controversies indeed; that two titles and the
ones that have been paid already. As far as I understand, people who have paid are almost as much as they own the land. So I'm sure that either
relocation or compensation will have to be done. But indeed, I believe that reserve is suppose to be left at the reserve."
Jules Vasquez
"Obviously there was some major miscommunication then, because Mr. Villanueva is at the lawyer. He's trying to resolve it through legal means."
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr.
"Yes indeed because Mr. Pererra who is the attorney for a few have told me it was not settled. Mr. Villanueva, but the minister and I will believe my
colleague and I will make sure also I will verify that it has indeed been cancelled."
Vega said that one surveyor had been doing most of the surveys on beach land and sea bed since 2004, and the Ministry would be recommending to the
survey association that they be penalised.
As to the Renan Briceno land, a representative told us that the beach properties in his name are in front of his own property – which he secured so
that they would not be converted into someone else's property.
As to the "Rodla" properties dating back to 2005 – those are now Doug Singh's property – which he says he paid almost a million US dollars for. Singh
told us that he is also concerned about purchasing the beach property because, like Briceno, he is concerned that it will be sold off to someone else
as private property.
The issue is complicated because in front of many areas of beach – there are mangrove clusters which are in the sea – but some developers may say it
can still be developed into solid land.
Email
Print