Belmopan, May 13, 2026.
Subject to section 3(3)(b) of the Village Council Act, Chapter 88 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, the Hon. Minister, with responsibility for villages and village councils, in the exercise of his authority, has appointed an Independent Commission to mediate existing boundary disputes between adjoining villages.
The six-member Commission is chaired by Her Worship, Madam Chief Magistrate, and includes commissioners representing the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum and Mining, the Attorney General’s Ministry, the Elections & Boundaries Department, the National Association of Village Councils, and the private sector.
The work of the Commission is guided by its established Terms of Reference and Standing Orders. The Commission’s mandate is to exercise due diligence in accordance with its Standing Orders and to make recommendations to the Hon. Minister for his consideration for the resolution of a boundary dispute between adjoining villages.
As part of its methodology to gather information and to afford public intervention, the Commission will conduct public sessions in the respective villages on the dates, times, and venues listed below:
- Placencia Village – Friday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m. – Basketball Court
- Siene Bight Village – Saturday, May 16 at 4:00 p.m. – Welcome Center
- Hopkins Village – Friday, May 29 at 6:00 p.m. – Harada Inn
- Sittee River Village – Saturday, May 30 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 public is also advised that written submissions may be made to the Commission via their respective village councils.
The Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development and Local Government serves as the Secretariat for the Independent Commission, headed by the Director of Rural Development. For further information, kindly submit queries to Clifford King via email at clifford.king@mrt.gov.bz or by telephone at 670-2643.
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