West Landivar residents pressure area rep
If you were expecting fireworks last night between the two sides in the West Landivar land use dispute, you were probably disappointed. While there was no shortage of hard talk, it was delivered with only one intent: to stop the project proposed by businessman David Gegg. News Five’s Marion Ali has the story.
Rhenae Nunez, Area Resident
“You know, with all due respect but I really need to see that you people give a damn about us because you are our leaders, elected or not, you are our leaders and we have a serious situation here. We noh owe Mr. Gegg no courtesy dah we have to live under the conditions he wants to subject us to. I will not accept it.”
Rommell Perdomo, Area Resident
“So what is the big deal of taking away this piece of land from him. I don’t see the problem with that; just take it away from him. It’s been done before. It’s been done before, it will be done again. Give him the letter tomorrow to take back the land. They have done that to me before, they have done that to other people before, what’s the big deal? And they’ve done it with title land; both governments have taken away title land that they haven’t paid for yet, why they can’t do that with him?”
Marion Ali, Reporting
These were just some of the concerns that area residents echoed at the second public meeting called by the West Landivar Citizens Action Committee. They were displeased over actions taken recently by developer David Gegg, to clear mangroves on a parcel of seafront land that he intends to develop into a restaurant, bar, offices and marina.
Area Representative Joe Coye, a politician under pressure with an election around the corner, says that government will act, but that the group’s lawsuits serve to strengthen their hand.
Joe Coye, Area Representative, Caribbean Shores
“I feel strongly that the way to go about it is indeed to deal with the government as I am doing with the Minister of Lands as the Area Representative. But if it is the wish of the community to take up a legal battle in the court, which I think can strengthen it, then fine, but I agree with you; you would not have to be made to go through this. I have made representation to the Minister of Lands and I am repeating it, he gave me his assurance as to what he will be doing. One, he put a hold immediately. He called in the Commissioner of Lands, he brought the file in, we looked at it, he said put a hold, do not proceed, we have to move to cancellation. What he is telling me—and I am prepared to wait—is that they need the time to go through the process.”
Area resident and attorney for the committee, Tania Moody, pointed out that residents should not have had to take the matter to court.
Tania Moody, Attorney, West Landivar Citizens Action Committee
“Well I think everyone here just wanted it concrete and reassured that you are going to get something concrete and in writing from the Ministry of Natural Resources because at the end of the day there’s only one thing that can solve this entire problem, cancellation of the lease. [audience applauds] Simple. I don’t need to be in court, one thing can be done and it will end all of this. And I think that’s what everyone here wants done. Give back the land to the public, it belongs to the residents. And I know as the area representative, you have the power to do that.”
Joe Coye
“I don’t have the power to do that.”
Tania Moody
“You can encourage it.”
Joe Coye
“Right, that’s different.”
Following the meeting Coye was asked why this issue has taken so long to resolve.
Joe Coye
“I don’t know the details in terms of the procedure that the Minister of Lands has to do, but I can tell you this, that I was told that, yes, Mr. Gegg has his constitutional right. He has the right that if government backs out now and don’t go through with his title that he can in fact win his case in court. All those things I understand he can do. The only point I’m making strongly is that even if he wins that in court and under the contractual arrangement with the government he gets the title, the government can still go for a public acquisition. So at the end of the day the government will be able to carry out the wishes of the people.”
Last night’s panel also included U.D.P. Caribbean Shores Standard Bearer, Carlos Perdomo, area resident Cecil Arnold, Belize City Deputy Mayor Anthony Michael, and Co-Chair of the Trade Licensing Committee Councilor Leela Peyrefitte, who assured that the Council’s Trade Licensing Board will not grant Gegg a Trade License to operate his business in the area. Marion Ali for News Five.
Neither David Gegg nor his supporters attended last night’s meeting, which was called by those opposed to the project.
