Mobile Land Clinic in Port Loyola

Today, the mobile land clinic of the Ministry of Natural Resources made its way to south side Belize City, specifically the Port Loyola division. As early as eight-thirty this morning, scores of persons gathered at the Young Men’s Christian Association for an opportunity to meet with government representatives to get their land documents sorted out; in some cases, persons who have been waiting for years for land titles walked away with their certificates in hand. A News Five team stopped in at the land clinic today, and Duane Moody filed this report. 

Duane Moody, Reporting

Over the course of two days, it is expected that around two hundred persons who are either applying for a piece of land or getting their land issues resolved will be converging at the YMCA on Fabers Road Extension. It is the location being used to house the Lands Department as the Ministry of Natural Resources embarks on a land clinic in south side Belize City.

Cordel Hyde

Cordel Hyde, Minister of Natural Resources

“We haven’t been on the south side; we save the best for last and we are starting in Port Loyola because Mister Gilroy has been very determine to have us here and so we are glad to be here. We are taking care of some issues for people that date back in one instance thirty-five years. So it is those kinds of issues that we are dealing with in addition to people applying for their purchase prices, for their lease approvals and land certificates.”

The ministry has been going across the country, bringing the services of the Lands Department to the people. And, as we found out from those in attendance, their issues are similar to others elsewhere.

Joseph Perez

Joseph Perez, Resident, Freedom Street

“I’ve been up and down in Belmopan. I’m a part of the Government of Belize, working with the government, but it is very hard to get your documents here and I don’t own any piece of land in Belize and I am finally trying to get my documents today. I did the application, I did the filling of the land, fencing it up and I did some real development because you know Belize is a swamp ground. But, so far, I’m seeing progress. Every Belizean look forward to own a piece of this paradise and you really cherish Belize when you own a piece of Belize.”

Christopher McKoy

Christopher McKoy, Resident

“I put in all the necessary effort to be here with my wife because we really needed a piece of land and thank God and thanks to the area representative Mister Usher, I have seen how hard he has been trying for us and things been happening. We finally got something weh we could say we could lef fu wi pikney when we move on. We own a piece ah wi country. We could finally rest at night and say that we got something that is ours.”

While she may not be a resident of the Port Loyola division, retired teacher Delda Franklin says that she’s been living in Coral Grove for over two decades but has not been able to acquire the title to the property.

Delda Franklin

Delda Franklin, Resident, Coral Grove

“I’m trying to get my title some years and years and years. I am not retired; I have three children and I don’t know what is God’s plan for me. I wouldn’t want to have war with my children when I retire; I want to really put things in place for them.

I came with a very positive mind. Something I prayed about and you know, things never happen before time. I think that this is my time and I think that I will get my documents.”

Duane Moody

“How long have you been without your documents?”

Delda Franklin

“Well my baby son is thirty-six years old; I am a retired teacher for twelve years now and I’ve been going through this years and years and years. There are many times I feel like giving up, but you know I am not that type of person to give up.”

But is there any land in Port Loyola proper?

Gilroy Usher

Gilroy Usher, Area Representative, Port Loyola

“There is land in Port Loyola, but weh happen is that he land needs survey.  And so I am thankful to the Ministry of Natural Resources for undertaking to survey the land in Pen Road extension. Now in the other areas, what people are dealing with here is for land issues pertaining to say they applied for their lease long time and can’t get it. They applied for their title. Some persons have issues with the correction because their lease number is wrong. Other persons apply for permission to survey and they haven’t received the okay from the ministry. And then you also have persons wanting to transfer their land from one person to the next, but it is just a long process trying to get it done in Belmopan. So the land clinic shortens the time that it takes to get those things done.”

The land clinic concludes on Friday. Duane Moody for News Five.