Land registry conditions deplorable – Harmon

“Deplorable” and “unacceptable” are the words used by Minister of State Joseph Harmon to describe the conditions at the Land Registry D’Urban Backlands/Georgetown.
A release from his office said that the Minister accompanied by a team from the Ministry of the Presidency earlier today inspected the operations of the registry. He said he is appalled at the conditions in which the staff at the registry is forced to function. The Minister noted that the filing and storing system also leaves much to be desired, the release added.
Harmon said “that is not what a government record office should look like.” He believes that the office should be an essential one in the way government and the entire country are administered, and the acquisition of titles must be treated seriously. Another deficiency highlighted by Harmon is the fact that the current office is too small to “do what needs to be done”. This observation comes as Government is getting ready to relocate the Land Registry to a new location at what was once the New Building Society building, Avenue of the Republic/Georgetown.
The Minister of State reminded the staff that Government is dedicated to ensuring that “public service is proud service”. He disclosed, the release said, that Government will soon appoint a Commission of Inquiry into the Public Service. Harmon promised improved working conditions and better wages and salaries as he urged the public servants to demonstrate diligence and commitment in providing quality service to the public.
Meanwhile the Minister accompanied by Registrar of Deeds Azeena Baksh toured the proposed new building that will house the Land Registry. He expressed satisfaction in the pace of the works there, the release said.