How do Villages Become Towns in Belize?

Could two neighboring villages soon become Belize’s newest town? That’s the big question tonight as Lord’s Bank and Ladyville explore the possibility of merging into a single municipality within the Belize Rural Central constituency. On Wednesday, about thirty people, including both village councils, Area Representative Dolores Balderamos-García, Minister of Rural Transformation Florencio Marin Jr., and community members, gathered to weigh the pros and cons of the move. If they go through with it, it will mark the first time in over twenty years that Belize officially adds a new town to its map. So, how does a village become a town in Belize? We spoke with Valentino Shal, CEO in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, to break down the process.

 

Valentino Shal, CEO, Ministry of Rural Transformation

“This is a very initial concept. There is nothing substantial and concrete. It’s just people getting together. This is this idea has been around for quite some time. It’s just a very a large and growing community that’s just outside of Belize City. So it’s a conversation that the leaders of the community wanted to have, and our ministry was invited. So we represent, but it’s not, there’s no concrete any concrete plans at the moment. It’s very preliminary and exploratory at this moment.”

 

Reporter

“What are the actual procedures? Are there guidelines or thresholds that need to be met? Or do we need to establish them for the future to say if you reach this population size, then automatically you should become a township?”

 

Valentino Shal

“So the Town Councils Act give the minister the authority to declare towns. And so whenever we intend to declare a town, we will have to follow the procedures and the provisions provided for in the act. And there are several considerations. The infrastructure, the population size, and of course the consultation that we need to happen with the people in order for this to happen. So it’s another short process. It’s a process that will take time. And so we’re not rushing into anything with this matter.”