Municipalities to Embark on Stakeholder Meetings to Discuss Municipal Development Plans

Belizeans will have the opportunity to discuss with their representatives and officials of Town and City Councils Draft Municipal Development Plans that is aimed to achieve cultural, environmental, social and economic development in their respective municipalities.

The objective of the Stakeholder Meetings is to share the plan with stakeholders so that the respective Councils can adopt the plans by resolution.

The meetings are scheduled for September to November, 2014 in the following municipalities: the City of Belmopan, Benque Viejo del Carmen, San Ignacio/Santa Elena, Corozal Town, Dangriga, Orange Walk Town, and Punta Gorda.

At these forums, residents in municipalities will have the opportunity to discuss the draft plans with key stakeholders and beneficiaries, ask questions, and provide recommendations and suggestions.

Stakeholders who attend and who are unable to attend may send their written comments to the respective municipalities and to SIF/BMDP regarding the draft plans.

Preparation of the Municipal Development Plans was crafted and developed by a Local Planning Working Group (LPWG) that comprised of Council representatives and residents who served as members representing multiple sectors in the municipality.

The Municipal Development Planning Initiative, which is an important technical assistance component of the Belize Municipal Development Project (BMDP), is aimed to provide much needed infrastructure Development and human capacity building aimed to transform and modernize municipalities as well as guide future development for more effective urban management that will benefit present and future generations.

The BMDP project is being implemented by the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) under the umbrella of the Social Investment Fund (SIF), as part of its mandate to work in line with the Government's poverty alleviation strategy, at a total cost of $30 million. The project is financed by the Government of Belize through a loan from the World Bank.

Capital Newspost