400 Parcels of Land Handed Out to Collet Residents

On Sunday, history was made in the Collet constituency as the first land clinic in twenty-five years took place at the Gateway Youth Center. And hundreds of people showed up to witness the moment. Area Representative Devin Daly hosted the event; but more importantly, he delivered on a promise, handing out four hundred official land documents and title certificates. Daly called it a ‘dream come true’ for the community and judging by the smiles, it sure looked like one. News Five’s Britney Gordon has the full story.

 

Britney Gordon, Reporting

This past weekend, four hundred residents of Collet constituency in Belize City took a major step toward securing their future, they officially became proud landowners. Four hundred lots and fifty land titles were handed out to residents. Collet Area Representative, Devin Daly says it’s a move that’s been long overdue.

 

Devin Daly, Area Representative, Collet

“The things that you guys are challenging me to bring back, let it be life changing things. Let it be things that overall enhance our quality of life. We noh wah find that in the little stuff. We wah find that in land ownership, housing opportunities, street infrastructure, educational assistance, health assistance. So what I’m saying is if I miss some of the other little things, just gimme little time.”

 

 

 

Daly explained that the ceremony followed a mobile land clinic that was held between the twenty-fourth and twenty-sixth of September, where residents voiced their various land issues. Most of the titles were given to residents already residing on the land, making them the official owners. Pickstock Area Representative Anthony Mahler commended the initiative, sharing how land ownership opens opportunities for Belizeans.

 

 

 

 

Anthony Mahler, Area Representative, Pickstock

“There’s a difference between the people who have money and the people who don’t, and one thing that is in common that gives our people wealth or an opportunity to improve the quality of life, and that is the ownership of your own piece of land, your ownership of your own home. You can do many things with that. You can mortgage that out to send your children to school if you want, if they want higher education, and I always recommend that, or you can mortgage that out and start up a small business and be creative. And be the drivers in your community for change.”

 

 

Many of the first-time landowners were youths and residents between the ages of thirty to forty years old. The four hundred first timers received lots located in Burrell Boom.

 

Devin Daly

“When I look pah my brother and sister them in this room, I look pah all of unu as somebody weh want aspire for something bigger, something more. And so my tasks every single day da fi create that plan and find a way because unu done ready, da noh like unu noh ready. I’m pretty sure Lands Department will be rich Monday because everybody gwen go pay them purchase price. We need to make sure we as a people lobby for things weh really meaningful for everybody, not just we self.”

 

 

Daly shares that there are about three hundred remaining residents wishing to solidify their land status within the constituency and promises to keep working to resolve the land issues in the community. Britney Gordon for News Five.