Minister: Review of suspicious land deals almost complete
As Deputy Prime Minister as well as Minister of Natural Resources, Gaspar Vega occupies an extremely important position in government. But for his party’s first hundred days in power, he’s maintained a very low public profile.
That image changed today, however, as Vega held a press conference to update the public on a number of issues. Chief among them is the situation in the Land and Surveys Department in which thousands of transactions involving the transfer of public land to private hands that took place in the waning days of the previous administration are being questioned, reviewed and in some cases reversed.
Gaspar Vega, Minister of Natural Resources
“The audit exercise being carried out in the Land and Surveys Department that had as its primary objective, the investigation of the extent and magnitude of irregularities in the Land Registry and National Estate sections that occurred in the months leading up to February 2008 should be completed by the end of this month.”
The specific problems with many—but by no means all—of the transactions range from the illegal authentication of surveys to the gross undervaluation and sale of prime island properties, and include …
Gaspar Vega
“… Duplication of leases and titles, lands being issued in the sea, clearings of mangrove without permission and that is just to name a few. The National Estates section alone, in addition to the six thousand files being audited, have approximately four thousand files backlogged and some two other thousand problem files requiring legal review and possible adjudication. I understand the public’s frustration and dissatisfaction, but in light of this, again I want to beg for your patience and cooperation.”
It was pointed out by Lands Commissioner Noreen Fairweather that in all but the most egregious cases, the aim is to cure the defects and complete the intended transactions.
On the environment side of his portfolio, Vega has not been shy about taking action against reckless developers, particularly in areas under official protection.
Gaspar Vega
“I have also directed the suspension, for nine months in the first instance, of lease issuances, dredging licenses, and mangrove clearing permits in the South Water Caye Marine Reserve of the Belize Barrier Reef World Heritage Site. This is a necessary measure as we assess potential damage by human activity in this unique world renowned area.”
It was also announced that a cease and desist order has been issued to a resort and casino project on Ambergris Caye. The planned development, called South Beach, has failed to receive its environmental clearances but nonetheless continued construction, despite previous requests to stop. With regard to petroleum, Vega announced that the mechanics of a windfall profit tax on oil production have been worked out and would soon be implemented. Cabinet has also approved the granting of an offshore exploration license to a Taiwan based company.
