Harmonvyville 1300 acre land issues settled

In the mid 1800’s, over three hundred thousand persons ventured by land and sea to take part in the California Gold Rush. When they got there, families staked their claim to the American dream. Fast-forward and today, over a hundred and fifty years later, at an area on the outskirts of Belmopan, you may have noticed a similar movement where markers are laying claim to farmland. Two thousand five hundred and eleven persons are trying to stake their claim at mile forty one, on land which the government is re-acquiring after the Taiwanese owners defaulted on property taxes.  According to the organizers of Harmonyville, they grew up with immigrants who simply built on any available land near Belmopan, and have been able to receive title for those parcels.  Now Nigel Petillo, Kirk Garnett, Elute Hall and Cadet Henderson Junior have taken their dream of Harmonyville to the office of the Prime Minister.

Nigel Petillo, Kirk Garnett ,Elute Hall, Organizer of Harmonyville

“Yesterday we met with the prime minister, Honorable Dean Barrow and we are happy to say that the prime minister has indicated to us that he will be allowing the distribution process that we’ve been working on. He will be acquiring the thirteen hundred acres and putting it into our hands according to the list that we have there. Not to disrespect no one or any area rep or anything but to say that we are the first comers, we have a list there, we have displayed great leadership role back there and there is no disorder there, everybody happy bout dehn piece so far. So basically what happened yesterday, the prime minister had assured us he heard the cry of the poor people, he heard the cry of the people who want to own a piece of land.”

Jose Sanchez

Nigel Petillo

“I believe six to eight hundred persons who expressed interest in the piece of land. Has everyone who expressed interest be able to get a parcel or some of the acreage?”

Nigel Petillo

“So far we have a list of two thousand, two hundred eleven who have joined the Belmopan Belize Grass Roots Youth Empowerment Association. At the initial stage we were lead to believe there were five thousand acres of land in this area.  So far we still believe its five thousand acres but government has indicated that they are in the process of acquiring thirteen hundred acres.  They didn’t say they are acquiring ‘the’ thirteen hundred acres, meaning that there are only thirteen hundred acres.  So we are still doing our research. The balance of the twenty-five hundred, we’re asking you to hold your faith, stand strong, continue with the movement. While the research continue, dah straight into the rest ah dah list start from eight hundred and one and go down.”

Jose Sanchez

“It is in several circles that it is in fact five thousand acres not just thirteen hundred acres. Have you heard any talk that this land might be linked to oil fields like Never Delay.”

Nigel Petillo

“Well we’re not too sure about that yet. We have our people looking into that. At the end of the day, our interest is the land. Whatever comes after that is a next thing but land is the main issue here. If you’re serious about alleviating poverty this is a very good start.”

Jose Sanchez

“And Harmonyville itself, how do you envision it?”

Nigel Petillo

“Like wi mission statement is, it will be a self sustainable community that will be teaching people a lot about self sustainability; stuff like simple gardening, poultry livestock. There is a lot you can do in your acre so that’s basically what the mission statement is all about. What we plan to have as a model community. We want the country to see that we can come together and organize a lot of stuff we are supposed to be able to pull this off.”

Jose Sanchez

“There have been some concern that this land is not in close proximity to a water source to support farming. Is that true or not?”

Nigel Petillo

“Well if you guys take a trip you will see two creeks back there.”

According to the developers of Harmonyville, the community will be near the road and the farm plots will be located to the rear of the land.