1 week ago
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The Belmopan City Council is once again advocating for full municipal control over the capital city, reigniting a long-standing debate over the role of the Reconstruction and Development Corporation (RECONDEV). The council, led by Mayor Pablo Cawich, believes that taking over the management of RECONDEV is essential for the city’s development and for eliminating what they describe as “ministerial interference” in local governance. It has been a longstanding issue, but on Friday, Prime Minister John Briceno told Love News that he is not giving that much consideration. As a matter of fact, he said that when he met on Thursday with Mayor Cawich and Area Representative, Oscar Mira, the issue did not come up.
RECONDEV, a statutory body established to oversee the development of Belmopan, was the city’s sole administrative authority from its inception in 1970 until the city gained municipal status in 2000. Although the City Council now manages most municipal functions, RECONDEV still retains significant control over land, infrastructure projects, and building approvals. This dual-authority structure has been a source of friction for successive City Councils. Outgoing Mayor Sheran Palacio, in a statement before demitting office, previously voiced her strong belief that RECONDEV should no longer exist. She argued that the City Council should be the “ultimate body” in charge of the city’s affairs to prevent a mayor from facing what she described as “constant interference.” This sentiment was echoed by the city’s first mayor, Anthony Chanona, who stated that the issue should be addressed at a constitutional level to ensure there are not “two authorities in the city.” Love News understands that it is the sentiment of several Belmopan City Council members that a unified administrative structure would lead to more efficient and responsive governance. They contend that the current arrangement creates bureaucratic delays and confusion for both residents and developers.
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