Wooden Structure in Belmopan Under Scrutiny

The construction of a wooden structure on reserve land in Belmopan, in the vicinity of the Assembly Building, has raised the ire of residents, as well as vendors near the market square.  The area is a designated green space, said to be used by families for outdoor activities, including picnics.  But tonight, the news is that it has been parceled off and a plot has reportedly been issued to the secretary of the Belmopan City Council for commercial use.  According to P.U.P. standard bearer for Belmopan, Patrick Andrews, a letter was sent to the Central Building Authority on Tuesday requesting a stop order on the ongoing works.  To date the CBA is yet to respond to the letter.

Patrick Andrews

Patrick Andrews, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Belmopan

“I was called last week by an individual from out of the Belmopan City Council to inform me if I was aware that there was a parcel of land, number eleven-twenty-seven that is designated as a green space for Belmopan that there was a construction of a building that was being on that.  And this person also told me that it was a secretary for the said U.D.P. council that had the approval to build this.  I didn’t believe it personally so I went out to the market.  This parcel of land is right in front of the National Assembly Building a little bit by the market area, you know.  So I went there and when I went there I did take some pictures to my surprise I couldn’t believe it because I thought like, of all the green spaces that the U.D.P. city council has sold or has given away in Belmopan, this one to me was almost a slap in the face because it’s like, it’s almost sacred grounds to the residents of Belmopan, you know, the green space.  So when I went there then I had to write a letter to the Central Building Authority who has the authority to stop any building that is not in accordance with the laws or in violation to any procedure.  And this structure here, this parcel of land is designated for green space for the residents of Belmopan and for all Belizeans.  Any person from across this country can come there and spread a lee blanket and have a picnic with their family because it’s a green space for the enjoyment.  And for the Belmopan City Council or the area representative to feel that they have the authority just to chop up these green spaces and give it out to who they wish, they’re mistaken and so I did write a letter to the Central Building Authority asking them to please look into this for me.  This was on Tuesday and as of today, just before I came here I called the offices again and asked for a response but I didn’t get any.  The director was not in office, you know. And so that is what’s happening in Belmopan.”