Santana Village Receives Equipment for Water, Community Maintenance

Santana Village in the Belize District has received materials and equipment from the Ministry of Rural Transformation to support its water system and community maintenance.

The handover is part of an allocation of more than $60,000 in materials and equipment to rural communities. The items include pipes, water meters, weed eaters and riding mowers.

Rural Transformation Minister Oscar Requena said the ministry is working with rural communities to improve the management and sustainability of their water systems. He said the water boards receiving meters must work with residents through the required consultation and testing process before applying charges based on meter readings.

“We support you with meters because we want you to install the meters in your villages. We want you to charge according to the rate of the meters,” Requena said.

Requena said the ministry has seen communities successfully manage their water systems and encouraged other water boards to improve their management practices.

Requena also urged recipients to properly maintain the equipment. “Make sure you service them. Make sure you clean them,” he said.

The equipment also includes mowers and weed eaters to help communities keep public spaces clean. Ministry CEO Valentino Shal said maintaining clean and well-kept communities can help build a greater sense of pride among residents.