Land taken away from Hand in Hands Ministries

A few weeks ago News Five reported that a parcel of land between a defunct swimming pool and the compound of St. Michael’s College had gone to private hands. Minister of Housing, Michael Finnegan has since confirmed that the house being built on the land is for one of his constituents and longtime supporter. Tonight there is another case to report, this time it involves land belonging to another school, also in the south side of the City. According to sources close to News Five, the St John Vianney Primary School compound is being subdivided and plots of land are going to a number of politically connected individuals. Part of the land was provided to the school by the Catholic Church. Some time ago, for security reasons the school administrators built a concrete fence which did not encompass a portion which they were not ready to use. That land was then allocated to Hand in Hands Ministries for a multipurpose facility. The building would house a feeding program and offer community services including proper treatment of the elderly. The plan included fundraising efforts by the brother of U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, who was recently in Belize. Sometime yesterday evening, the land was surveyed into six to seven lots. Sources say that the houses that will be built on the lots will go to residents of Queen’s Square Division. Hand in Hands representative, Abel Vargas confirmed the existence of the project and that Hand in Hands is in negotiations with officials about the issue.