Public Hearings Over Southern Village Boundary Disputes Start This Week 

If you live in Placencia, Seine Bight, Hopkins, or Sittee River, where your village ends and your neighbour’s begins, you will want to weigh in with your say in the series of upcoming consultations.

An Independent Commission under the Village Council Act has been appointed by the Minister responsible for villages to mediate long-running boundary disputes between adjoining villages in southern Belize.

The six-member body is chaired by the Chief Magistrate and includes representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Attorney General’s Ministry, the Elections and Boundaries Department, the National Association of Village Councils, and the private sector.

Public sessions are scheduled as follows:

• Placencia Village, Friday 15th May at 6:00 p.m., Basketball Court.
• Seine Bight Village, Saturday 16th May at 4:00 p.m., Welcome Centre.
• Hopkins Village, Friday 29th May at 6:00 p.m., Harada Inn.
• Sittee River Village, Saturday 30th May at 4:00 p.m., Methodist School.

“Residents, key stakeholders, and members of the public are cordially invited to attend and participate in these open forums,” the Ministry said in its statement.

Written submissions may also be made through respective village councils. Direct queries to Clifford King at clifford.king@mrt.gov.bz or 670-2643.