While at the House of Representatives, we also discussed the issue of the land at mile forty on the Western Highway with Belmopan Representative John Saldivar. As we’ve reported a tract of 1,300 acres adjoining mile 40 is believed to be up for grabs because the owner, a Taiwanese person or persons is said to have abandoned it. Whatever the case – and no one seems to be exactly sure what is really up with the owners – government has taken the decision to acquire the land due to large amounts in tax arrears. It will be subdivided for agricultural purposes. So who’s first in line? Today we spoke to Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar who has designs on it for his Belmopan Constituents. Earlier in the week he stirred some controversy when he spoke about bonafide Belizeans being Black Belizeans. Today he said, he was misinterpreted, what he meant was bonafide farmers.
Hon. John Saldivar, Belmopan Area Rep.
“When I say bonafide I am saying bonafide farmers and I am reaching out to the young people of Belmopan who may seem to be marginalized as it were or they may want to be classified as being forgotten. The way I could have helped them as I explained to Mr. Petillo is by providing them with a piece of land for farming if they were interested. So that is still my intention and it is not just for black people, no.”
Jules Vasquez,
“So you can be farmers of Hispanic origin, naturalized Belizeans, children of immigrants?”
Hon. John Saldivar,
“Oh if I was at my office I could show you the list of persons who have already approached me prior to this whole episode for land and I have been making a list and my intention was when the list got exhaustive I was going to go to the Ministry of Lands and try to get a piece of farm land for them. So that is what I am doing.”
Jules Vasquez,
“Speaking specifically now about those acres of land, there seems to be two schools of thought: the first is mek we just go strong it, the owners having abandoned it; and the second is the government proposal to advance in a orderly regularized manner that it be subdivided for agricultural use.”
Hon. John Saldivar,
“I think the first thing we have to note Jules is that indeed what has been the precedent set by certain sectors of the society is the decision to go and squat on land. I understand many who feel that these people have been able to acquire land in that manner but I cannot condone that manner of getting land and my record here in Belmopan is that those who squat on land in Belmopan are not encouraged by myself or RECONDEV or by the City Council here in Belmopan. So I cannot go on record endorsing that method.”
Jules Vasquez,
“So when it is subdivided, who will be first in line?”
Hon. John Saldivar,
“I believe it will be first come, first served. Those who come in to the department and put in their applications; it will be first come first served.”
According to a release from the Ministry of Natural Resources, “all persons are asked to cease and desist from further occupancy, development and disposition of the land.” Persons interested in acquiring a parcel of land in this subdivision are advised to apply directly to the Lands Department, adhering to regular requirements.
