Dear Editor,
In response to the recent press publications critical of the Land Registry, allow me to present the following.
The office of the Land Registry and its functioning have been subjected to much attack in the media in which articles and letters suggest doubt about my appointment and my management of the Registry .
For the record, I will again state that the Land Registry is a statutory body which currently falls within the cluster of government and state entities for which the Office of the President is accountable.
I, along with the Deputy Registrar Mr D Puran took the Oath of Office before the then Chief Justice, Honourable Carl Singh in the presence of the then Commissioner of Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission, Mr A Bishop on April 24, 2004.
Regarding the criticisms of the organization and functioning of the Land Registry, allow me to disclose that Land Registry functions have been decentralized and are currently offered in Region 6, New Amsterdam and in Region 2, Parika. Those offices are in addition to the central office in Georgetown.
The Land Registry is staffed by fifteen (15) officers who provide technical, clerical, administrative and support services required at the offices.
The office in New Amsterdam is permanent and the Registrar conducts business there on a weekly basis.
The office in Parika is not permanent but is weekly serviced by the Registrar.
This arrangement has been providing uninterrupted service to the public since 2007.
Regarding the provision of service, I would like to disclose that the Land Registry has two (2) main categories of clients, the state and government sector, and the general public. Over the years, the ratio of services required between the categories has been 10:01 in favour of the state sector.
Some statistics may be helpful.
In 1966 480 matters were filed
More recently 2004 5,442 matters were filed
2005 5,640 matters were filed
2006 3,823 matters were filed
2007 3,980 matters were filed
2008 6,313 matters were filed
2009 5,093 matters were filed.
These statistics can be disaggregated according to location, requesting category and time taken for processing.
Some personal observations are appropriate.
One of my more persistent critics harps on about delays. I reiterate that when they occur, they are unavoidable and I challenge anyone to prove otherwise.
In closing, the Land Registry aims to further improve the services it provides and stands ready to address issues as they arise.
Juliet Sattaur
Registrar of Lands
