BELIZE CITY, Mon. Oct. 19, 2020– The People’s United Party (PUP) has once again introduced one of their revolutionary policies as Belize inches its way closer to the 2020 General Election.
On Saturday, the party held a virtual rollout of its land policy, which seeks to curb unequal and biased land distribution – a commonly known problem affecting many Belizeans, courtesy of the politicians in power.
The program featured presentations from the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. John Briceño; National Deputy Party Leader, Hon. Cordel Hyde; Dangriga standard bearer Dr. Louis Zabaneh; Albert standard bearer, Paul Thompson; Pickstock standard bearer Anthony Mahler; and other party members and supporters.
Collectively, the presenters spoke about the negative impacts of “partisan land distribution” throughout the Caribbean, and also in Belize. Under a PUP administration, however, the party has promised a complete reform of land ownership, which will include the introduction of a “National Urban Garden Program”, provision of land for first-time land owners and for agricultural production, establishment of policies for land tenure, and more.
The land policy also features a value system that is centered on conservation, sustainable land use, and multiple “green” initiatives in areas such as water and forestry preservation. The process to acquire land will also be revisited so that it is “simple, transparent and uniform”.
For the PUP, this means that all prospective first-time land owners can apply for access to, and ownership of, such land, without a letter from a Minister — thus eliminating the use of “middle men”. The party also plans to digitalize the Lands Department, and employ surveyors at the department.
In his closing remarks, Hon Briceño outlined the Government’s role in ensuring that all citizens are afforded land, as is their birthright. He stated, “…they say if we get this right, if we manage our land resource properly, it can be that which changes the way societies in Belize prosper. I agree —the proper use and management of our natural resource will help us to reduce poverty and protect and preserve the environment.
“Of course, what Belizeans want from their government, is land for them to build a home. They want land for nice parks and safe playgrounds for their children. They want to know that we, as leaders, have the plan as well as the ability to meet the demand for the expansion of cities, towns and villages. Not the kind of expansion we see happening now.”
With hopes of becoming the next central government, the PUP has pledged to deliver on seventeen different key areas of priority in an effort to ensure that every non-landowner gets a piece of land, while prioritizing land ownership for women and young families, ensuring access to fertile farmlands, respecting village councils and their lot committees, etc.