Ministry of Home Affairs and U.B. Sign Land Exchange Agreement

The Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries and the University of Belize signed a Land Exchange Agreement with the University of Belize (UB). The signing marks the culmination of over two years of negotiations.

The agreement facilitates the relocation of the National Forensic Science Service (NFSS) from its current location in Ladyville to a more central site in Belmopan. This is expected to allow NFSS to better manage the country’s growing needs in forensic science and legal medicine.

The ministry will transfer 1.28 acres of land in Ladyville, where the NFSS currently operates, to UB. In return, UB will provide 12 acres of land in Belmopan, where a state-of-the-art forensic laboratory and mortuary complex will be constructed through funding from the Belize Integral Security Programme.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum, and Mining will oversee the land transfer process.

Dr. Vincent Palacio, President of UB, said the land exchange would enable the university to expand its academic offerings, including its recently launched School of Medicine and other related programs like forensic science and criminology.

Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa hailed the agreement as a significant step toward modernising the country’s forensic infrastructure.