Leaked Record Discloses Innovabel Beneficiaries, Including Former Mayor  Palacio

Former Belmopan Mayor Sharon Palacio has been identified as a beneficiary of lands in the Innovabel Estate, acquired at significantly reduced prices. During the final days of Palacio’s tenure, numerous parcels within the estate were sold at a staggering ninety-percent discount. In some instances, the discounts soared to an eye-popping ninety-five percent. A leaked document from the council has brought to light the findings of the current administration, detailing the individuals who purchased these parcels and the amounts they paid. This ongoing investigation, spearheaded by Mayor Pablo Cawich and his team, aims to uncover the full extent of these transactions. News Five’s Paul Lopez brings us the latest on this developing story.

 

Paul Lopez, Reporting

As the Belmopan City Council delves deeper into the controversial Innovabel Estate land transactions overseen by former Mayor Sharon Palacio, a cascade of alarming revelations is emerging. News Five has verified the authenticity of a detailed list that discloses the land costs, authorized prices, and actual amounts paid for forty-three parcels in Innovabel Estate. According to the leaked document, eight parcels went to the former city administrator and his son.  The document uncovers a startling discrepancy: although the eight parcels were collectively valued at one hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars, a mere two thousand dollars was actually paid. The list also implicates former Mayor Sharon Palacio, who is noted to have received two parcels in Innovabel Estate. However, the document remains silent on whether she paid anything for these parcels. Adding to the intrigue, Palacio’s children, grandchildren, and brother are also mentioned, each having paid just two thousand dollars for lands appraised at over nineteen thousand dollars. In one instance, Belize All Phase Limited, a company that is reportedly connected to Palacio’s son, received eight parcels of land at five hundred dollars per parcel, a grossly discounted price. The list also includes names such as Stella Kalu, Celina Danladi, Tabe Beson, Juan Caal, Kahlil Enriquez and the council’s former finance director, Melvyn Edenojie. Danladi is the only person named that paid ten thousand dollars. The document also shows that former City Councilor Hope Amadi received six parcels of land, four under Rosyco Integrated Service and two under Amadi Hope. He allegedly paid thirty-five hundred dollars in total for all six parcels. The leaked document reveals a staggering valuation of seven hundred and fifty-eight thousand dollars for the forty-three parcels. Yet, the council’s coffers reflect a mere one hundred thousand dollars from these transactions. Highlighting this discrepancy, current Mayor Pablo Cawich pointed out in a September twentieth press conference that titles have already been distributed for most, if not all, of these parcels. These titles are absolute, and the titleholders are not obligated to make any further payments. He has, however, requested that they visit the council and decide on how to pay the balance out of good conscience.

 

Pablo Cawich, Mayor, Belmopan

“I can’t say with any surety that everyone has received their tittles. What we do know is that many of them have received titles. Some of them, as I mentioned, the receipts for the councils will show that some of them paid after receiving the titles as well. The stance we have taken with every single recipient is that we are not trying to take away any opportunity. If it is that you have received eight titles, all we are asking you to do is to create a payment plan to ensure you are paying the full value of the land where we would try to rely on is your ethics and morals knowing that a piece of land in Belmopan is not worth two thousand dollars.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.