Minister Musa Speaks on Dereservation in Caribbean Shores!

It’s scenic spot enjoyed by many who live in the Caribbean Shores area of Belize City, but this week residents discovered wooden posts being erected, obstructing the view and preventing them from using the boat launch.  Area Representative Kareem Musa says he found out just days ago that in June of 2020, Теk Multiservice, located on Buttonwood Bay Boulevard had been granted title of this prime sea frontage in West Landivar by Dolphin Park for the meager price of two thousand dollars.  He says the sale was not published in the Gazette, and there was no consultation with the community.  There was also no permission granted by the Forest Department because as it turns out, the area is also part of a National Public Reserve declared in 2007, which stipulates that there must be a sixty-six-foot reserve from the sea on which no one could build or own.

Kareem Musa

Kareem Musa, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores

“This is an easement, this is a legal easement that the community has and the members of this community have for using this particular easement for as far back as the eighties. Much to my shock and awe, after we graded the boat launch last week, I was notified that this particular area of the reserve had been issued. A title over this reserve had been issued by the past administration – on the tail end of their administration – we are talking June 2020. It is not as though they know that this is a protected area because it is gazetted and in order for you to deserve an area that is protected such as this one, you need to also gazette the fact that you are de-reserving it and that was never done. The concerned residents have come out and asked for an audience with me because this has to be overturned, in one way or another, in the very least short term. This must be removed immediately. So, the private land owner who has this and I am told that it is a company Tech Multiservice Limited – that company Tech – needs to tek this down because this is an easement that has been enjoyed by the residents of this community for so many years.”