“Embarrassed” was the description provided by Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Basil Williams on Monday as he made what appears to be an impromptu visit to the old New Building Society (NBS) structure on Avenue of the Republic where the Land Registry is to be relocated. A visit to the NBS building revealed that the premises was unfit for occupation as several boxes filled with documents and books lined the floor, unkempt furniture filled with dust, along with other unused items scattered around the building. The items belong to the Deeds Registry.
The NBS building was scheduled to be handed over to the Registrar of Lands Rosalie Robertson on Monday. The minister was clearly stunned by the state of the office and said, “It is a mess, and I am disappointed.” “I was informed that the Land Registry would be relocated there today… I am disappointed, totally disappointed,” the Attorney General added.
“There is no electricity in that building…it is an embarrassment…the Registrar of Lands was supposed to occupy the building today…it is a mess,” Said Williams. The Guyana Chronicle understands that Registrar of Deeds, Azeena Baksh has repeatedly promised to have the Deeds Registry’s items removed from the NBS building. Attempts to contact Baksh on Monday proved futile.
In September, this publication had spoken with Robertson, who was eager to relocate to ensure customers receive quality customer service in a more spacious environment. “We have got to wait for the building to be cleared. We have been promised that it would be cleared in two weeks,” she told this publication.
Robertson said she inspected the building and feels “that we would be able to accommodate the public and members of staff in a much more comfortable environment.” She believes it would be easily accessible to the Public at large. “We look forward to delivering the best possible service that can be expected.”
The Attorney General told Guyana Chronicle that the Registrar of Lands indicated that they too were expecting the building to be ready. “I spoke with the Land Registrar and they were also informed that they could move in today…they subsequently received information to the contrary.”
Contacted for a comment, Robertson could only confirm that her office was informed that the old NBS building would have been handed over to her on Monday. She is hopeful that her office will be relocated as soon as possible in the interest of delivering the best professional service. Meanwhile, the Attorney General emphasised the need for the situation to be remedied soonest.
“There is no electricity… the place needs cleaning up…we have to ensure that that process is speeded up,” He told this publication.