Pomona Land Dispute Who Owns This Land?  

Tonight, we return to Pomona Village, where a heated land dispute continues to cause friction between residents and the Ferguson family. In this report, Minister Rodwell Ferguson and his nephew, Aaron Ferguson, speak out to share their side of the story. The Fergusons strongly deny all accusations against them, including allegations of threats and political meddling. Here’s News Five’s Tanya Arceo with the latest.

 

Tanya Arceo, Reporting

A long-running land dispute has turned personal, with residents accusing the Ferguson family of claiming property they say is theirs. Now, Minister Rodwell Ferguson and his son Aaron Ferguson are responding to those allegations, insisting they have done nothing wrong. And while both sides argue over who owns the land, there’s an important fact: under Belizean law, even if there’s a cave on the property, that cave remains property of the state. Any artifacts or relics found inside belong to the Government of Belize and are protected by national heritage laws. Today, we’re speaking with everyone involved—asking the questions, demanding the documents, and trying to clarify who truly owns this contested land.

 

Rodwell Ferguson, Area Rep. Stann Creek West

“I want to go back in history because the younger folks today don’t know the existence of this cave. In the seventies when I was a child the ministry of infrastructure used to be the ministry of works used to blast this cave to get materials for wood works. For every two or three days there was a blasting so it affects the whole structure of the cave. Even the stone that you see there I told him Stoney no matter what I will not allow you to apply for the land where the cave is on it doesn’t matter who you are you can be my son you can be whoever you are I will not allow you to apply for the land where the cave is on. As a matter of fact this cave has a water system for the Pomona Village Council so the tank for Pomona water system is at the top of the cave. I am not fighting for this piece of land for no family member.”

 

Tanya Arceo

“You are not offering him ten acres of land either?”

 

Rodwell Ferguson

“I told him we will go and look for ten acres of land for you where we can find it to make sure you are satisfied that it becomes a beneficiary piece of land for your family it’s my commitment to them.”

 

 

 

We then headed to the home of Miguel Angel Trejo, who insists the land, including the area with the cave, rightfully belongs to him and his family. Trejo disputes the Fergusons’ claim and says he has the lease to prove his ownership, while Minister Ferguson maintains that those documents are not valid.

 

Miguel Angel Trejo, Landowner

“Well I got those documents in the lands department but I am now seriously concerned with everything that is going on mainly because there has been serious death threats because of this claim Mr. Rodwell son Stoney has threatened me so I spoke to minister Rodwell present here today.”

 

 

 

Rodwell Ferguson

Tell Mr. Trejo I want him to understand I have nothing against him and I will do everything in my power for him to get a piece of land.”

 

Tanya Arceo

“The minister wants you to understand that he has nothing against you and that he will do everything in his power to get you a piece of land.”

 

 

 

Rodwell Ferguson

“Trejo will get a piece of land I gave him at least six months to move out I will never ever do that to you sir.”

 

Tanya Arceo

“He is denying that he chased you out of the property like you told us saying that he would never do anything against you.”

 

Miguel Angel Trejo

“I have the video here if you would like to see.”

 

Rodwell Fergusson, Minister

“What I am saying as the elective representative for Stann Creek west this is no prejudice of anything I will ask the ministry to tell Mr. Trejo to evacuate this piece of land I di find piece for him.”

 

Miguel Angel Trejo

“Another thing he promised me ten acres of land and this bis the day where he has not given me anything I was a young person when I cleaned al that land now I am in my seventy’s I do not have the same strength to clean all that land if he gives me a clean piece of land I will accept to be moved. But why don’t they want me living here and Mr. Canton leaves right here as well? Or is it because I am poor he does not want to give me a piece of land here? If I had money they would have let me live here but there is a family living right close to this property and they say its against the law to live here why don’t I get my acre to live here too why am I bothering here?”

 

While Mr. Ferguson left the property to avoid further dispute with the Trejo family we also spoke to the Chairlady Melida Ingraham for clarification.

 

Melida Ingraham, Chairlady

“To allocate or approve the land in this area is usually done by the minister or sometimes he gets in contact with the village council to send recommendations. For the land that they are claiming I know its government property because its located right by the cave which is owned by the village council so the lands that are in this area are surrounded is owned by the village council and and the government. We sure will do a review on the land titles and have a sit down with minister Cordel Hyde and see what can be done about this land that is here that is owned by the government because the village council have works that need to be done at the cave.”

 

And while both sides disagree on many things, they agree on one: that the cave does not belong to either of them. Tanya Arceo reporting for News Five.