Prefab Home Dispute Nears Resolution After Talks

As we told you on Tuesday, there’s been a breakthrough in talks between the Ministry of Transport and Belize’s Prefabricated House Builders and Movers. The discussions centered on new regulations that ban moving prefabricated homes, a rule that’s caused major concern for the industry. After the meeting, the builders sent an open letter to CEO Chester Williams, thanking the ministry for what they called ‘amicable and constructive discussions.’ The talks focused on striking a balance: keeping house moves safe while ensuring affordable housing delivery doesn’t slow down. The ministry pledged to work with stakeholders on new policies, including stricter safety standards, private escorts, streamlined permits, and allowing nighttime moves. Builders say they’re ready to roll out these changes quickly, but as CEO Williams reminded us, Cabinet still needs to sign off before anything happens.

 

On the Phone: Chester Williams, C.E.O., Ministry of Transport

“We also agreed that they will be able to use loud hailers inside the front guards that will alert the oncoming drivers that even though it is going to be quite visible that there is a house being moved, the loud hailer is going to add as another feature. We will be looking at the whole issue as it relates to the flashing lights on the building and make sure there is a light flashing from the vehicle to the building to alert anybody coming that a house is being moved on the road. While we agreed to all these things I explained that we will have to put together a Cabinet information paper which will be sent to Cabinet for its approval. Yes we will support it as the ministry, because we want to assist not just stakeholders but those people who are consumers of these prefab homes in making sure they can get their homes at a reasonable cost to them. We also agree we will put together an informercial which they will pay for. The infomercial with sensitize the public on what to expect when a house is being moved on the highway.”