We've been reporting on the dispute in Belmopan over a private property being used as a downtown marketplace for vendors.
As we told you 10 days ago, Belmopan's marketplace used to be centrally located in the heart of the city, but when the coronavirus came to Belize it had to be moved. To protect public health and create more space, the City Council relocated the fruit and vegetable vendors to the National Agriculture and Trade Show Grounds - inconvenient for both vendors and their customers. The vendors were losing business, and that's when they were approached by the private developer, David Zabaneh, offering them to re-locate to his family property right across the street from Social Security and the Civic Center. But the City Council said that new location needed a special license - and without that, the police shut it down.
Today, a second round of talks to regularise this impromptu private market space was held between the Belmopan city council and the landowner. Plus TV spoke to them when they came out of that meeting:
David Zabaneh, Landwoner
"I'm here complying or do my best to comply with what the council requires."
Norman Moore, Attorney for D. Zabaneh
"I was surprise that the area representative was here as you all have seen. Today was a very significant day, it was a good day. I can't say it was bad. There are certain issues that need to be iron out. My client is of the opinion that he can get that done and he will get that done in a timely manner. What we are trying to do is trying and put forward our view at and to to say that this is not a fly-by-night thing. This is one that will come and try to change the entire aesthetics of the city and trying to make Belmopan look and keep that vibe."
Reporter
"You expressed surprise at the area rep. being here. Why is that and what role did he play in this meeting?"
Norman Moore, Attorney for D. Zabaneh
"I expressed surprise because the last time I was here, it was just the council and I believe it was just going to be the council that would have their input in it since they have the management of the city. For them to invite the area rep. in here it does speak leaps and bounds to say that well they want to get it off the ground, which that was his sentiment coming into this whole thing."
David Zabaneh, Landwoner
"We are not here to challenge the system - they are coming up with new rules for this project and what I should have been a straightforward process turned out to this. So, we are trying to comply. Our main goal is to get the vendors back into central Belmopan and get them selling. I hope that sooner we can come to an agreement and a solution to get the market up and running."
Norman Moore, Attorney for D. Zabaneh
"My best advice is I guess to have a little more patience. We don't want to rush anything. Again, we might have another strike or another uprising or something like that. We don't want that. So just bare a little more patience with the developer and with the city council and as soon as we work out all these logistics then you will be free to come and sell your produce."
We'll keep following the progress.
