By Belize Live News Staff: The Government of Belize has taken another major step toward improving access to electricity in rural communities. On Tuesday, the villages of Mabil Ha and Otoxha in the Toledo District signed Consent Agreements for the Deepening Access via Rural Electrification (DARE) Project, a joint initiative between the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community Development, Labour and Local Government (MRTCDLLG) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The DARE Project, funded by the India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) Fund, has a total budget of US$1 million and aims to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to underserved rural areas. The project will install photovoltaic (PV) systems to power homes, schools, and community buildings in both villages, improving access to education, healthcare, and livelihoods.
The signing ceremony was attended by government and community representatives, including Hon. Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of MRTCDLLG; Dr. Hon. Osmond Martinez, Area Representative of Toledo East; and Mr. Gustavo Requena, Director of the Office of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.
Minister Marin commended the leaders and residents of both villages for their continued partnership and commitment to rural advancement, emphasizing that the project represents more than access to power—it symbolizes empowerment, opportunity, and sustainable transformation.
The Government extended its appreciation to the IBSA Fund, UNDP, and the Ministry of Public Utilities, Energy and Logistics (MPUEL) for their collaboration and ongoing support in bringing light and opportunity to Belize’s most remote areas.
