First Cubel house handed over to owner
A few months ago the public saw Belizean factory workers putting a Cuban technique to work by manufacturing the sections of concrete that would eventually be put together to construct a house. It was hard to imagine what the end product would look like. Today the first Cuban technology house, dubbed a “Cubel” to signal the partnership between Belize and Cuba, was dedicated on the southside of the city. The new owner was understandably excited, and so was the Minister of Housing, Dickie Bradley.
Keith Lino, an inspector with the Criminal Investigations Branch is the homeowner of the first Cubel House.
Q: “Keith do you think this day would have ever come?”
Insp. Keith Lino, Homeowner, Cubel House
“Initially no. I am a person who has always wanted to own my own house but I didn’t think it would have came so early.”
During various stages of construction a number of people from across the country stopped by to view the work in process. Dickie Bradley Minister of Housing says contractors and home builders have given their stamp of approval saying that the Cubel houses are strong buildings.
Dickie Bradley, Minister of Housing
“We are told by those who know about construction that this is a very strong house because of the method by which it is constructed — a column is put in place every three feet to fit in the bigger cement blocks. You have a far stronger house which is constructed.”
Keith Lino
“I am very, very impressed and as a matter of fact I will be loving the house I will be living in commencing tonight.”
Q: “It’s very spacious?”
Keith Lino
“Yes, it’s a three bedroom house and I really appreciate this house. Presently I am living in a two-bedroom house that I am paying four hundred dollars a month for. I really accept and appreciate this time of my life to be the recipient of a historic house which is the first Belizean Cubel house for this country of Belize. This is a blessed day for me.”
Dickie Bradley
“Several of these houses are currently under construction just around the corner on Currasow Street. Another one is about completed and there are several more in other parts of Belize City which are underway. In fact as we speak a second Cubel Factory at Rockville is getting ready to turn out its amount of houses.”
Initially the Cubel houses may not have seemed as attractive because the original arrangement did not include plastering, but Bradley says this will now be part of the whole package. Belize has two Cuban house factories: one is being leased by the government and the other was a gift from Fidel Castro. In Cuba, the factories produce the blocks for one house everyday, but so far Belizean workers have yet to match their speed. The three-bedroom house handed over today cost approximately thirty-five thousand dollars. If you are interested in purchasing a Cubel house, contact the Ministry of Housing.
