Hon. Peter Eden Martinez
Minister of Human Development and Social Transformation
Area Representative
Toledo East
June 1, 2011
Hon. Juan Coy
Minister of State
Ministry of Human Development
Area Representative
Toledo West
Dear Hon. Eden Martinez and Hon. Juan Coy,
I was told last year that for the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Gaspar Vega, to grant Conejo and Santa Teresa’s long-term community-based sustainable forest management license, Toledo East Area Representative Hon. Peter Eden Martinez and Toledo West Area Representative Hon. Juan Coy had to endorse the applications. I absolutely did not believe this when I was told. However, I must say that I am extremely disappointed to learn that in fact this is the case.
SATIIM, like the communities, have been confident that due processes and procedures as established by law had been followed. Therefore, you would understand that we were stunned to know that endorsements were required from area representatives and that the endorsements have not been forthcoming, therefore, the communities could not get their long-term licenses.
The communities have been advised by their legal counsel, the government duly advised as well, that a license is not necessary for commercializing their interest in resources on their land. However, SATIIM with the two communities – Conejo and Santa Teresa – pioneering work in community-based sustainable forest management in Belize, felt it extremely important to work in partnership with the Forest Department; therefore, we used established legal frameworks. So, established processes and procedures were followed without prejudice to the rights affirmed by the Supreme Court of Belize.
Recently, the Prime Minister made a statement in reference to oil drilling; he expressed the view that so long as law and procedures are in place that everything will go well. Had this been the case, Conejo and Santa Teresa communities would have gotten their licenses a long time ago.
Another case in point is the new regulation that makes it illegal to sell lumber that has been harvested with chainsaw. Despite this regulation, there are the thousands of illegal Rosewood on our highway for all to see. When will the government take action to stop this illegal activity?
Then, there are the processes and procedures for obtaining long-term forest licenses; let’s adhere to them and remove the maneuvering aimed only at trying to score political mileage.
Join us in helping our communities overcome the many challenges that they confront on a daily basis; let us not restrain their creativity and innovation. The community-based sustainable forest management and enterprise development in Conejo and Santa Teresa are good for these communities, as it creates employment for the members of these communities. This is what development should be.
Therefore, to avoid further delays, I am kindly asking you, Minister Peter Eden Martinez and Minister Juan Coy, to give your endorsements to the Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Gaspar Vega, as soon as possible.
I also ask you to use your influence to persuade the Deputy Prime Minister to remove this new imposed condition for forest licenses. I would rather see the endorsements coming from the communities. Let’s get on with development that truly empowers our people.
Respectfully yours,
Gregory Ch’oc
cc: Hon. Dean Oliver Barrow
Prime Minister of Belize
Hon. Gaspar Vega
Deputy Prime Minister