I write to express my disappointment with the Lands and Surveys Department, specifically the Office of the Registrar of Lands, which was set up to expedite documents in relation to the sale and purchase of property. I sold a house in November 2009, however, the original title could not be found and application was made for a new document. Five months elapsed after application before the replacement title was obtained. Now, once again we are at the mercy of the office of the Registrar of Lands, since her signature is required on a document before the bank (of the person buying the house) would disburse the funds. All fees are paid, all documents filed and the loan approved, but our transaction is completely stalled because the Registrar of Lands has been unavailable for five weeks now. I was informed by the Land and Surveys Office that the Registrar of Lands is on leave and should be back at work anytime, no one seems to know when she is returning to work and apparently there is no one back stopping her. I am very appalled and confused with this situation; I do not understand how – for such an important office such as this – there is no alternate person in charge to see that the work continues. Do we have to wait another five months to get her signature in order to complete this business transaction?
I am totally confused with the fact that this Officer can get away from the office for an extended period of time and there is no one else to carry on the main functions of the office. The President H.E. Bharrat Jagdeo has the Prime Minister to carry on in his absence, the Police Commissioner has his Deputy to see all necessary functions are expedited in his absence; and many other high ranking officials of our country have alternates when they have to be away from office. How is it then that the registrar of Lands Office functions in such an unprofessional manner?
In conversation with my colleagues, I discovered that they have all experienced the foot-dragging and other deficiencies of this officer, and because they all felt that the source of her power was too high up for them to come against, they suggested that my writing this letter was a waste of time, especially since several other persons have written letters about this individual and nothing has happened.
Many of my colleagues have complained of the inefficiencies of this office and especially, the attitude of the young lady who holds the position of the Registrar of Lands. I’ve been told that even after she signs your documents, you could still end up waiting between one to three months before collecting your land title. It seems to me that this young lady is bigger than the prudent of our country… If President Jagdeo takes the time to meet with ordinary citizens of our country and try to help them, then who is this lady who seem set on making the lives  of ordinary citizens trying to get business done, as uncomfortable as possible?