The lands department under the Ministry of Natural Resources is also under scrutiny in the PSU land case. The PSU suggested that there was some collusion within the lands department to get the transfer finalized and recorded so swiftly. Well today, Natural Resources Minister Hugo Patt granted an interview to 7News where he clarifies that the lands department had nothing to do with the sale or purchase of the hilltop lot. All they did was document the transaction at the registry department. Here is that conversation with Minister Patt.
Hon. Hugo Patt, Minister of Natural Resources
"It wasn't incumbent on us as a Ministry particularly speaking about the registry department to find out who the particular parcel of land is being sold to or transactions would be there and the onus on us is just to register a particular transaction. The lands ministry and the registry section of our ministry does not in any way get involved of who is selling or who is buying."
Courtney Weatherburne, reporter
"On part of the PSU, they are saying that it was such a quick process, it was expedited because they are saying that Simplex Design the company was registered October 9th and then on October 10th they signed off the land to this same company?"
Hon. Hugo Patt, Minister of Natural Resources
"From the information that I gathered, I was informed that it took actually seven says for the process on our end to actually be finished you will note we sent out a press release Courtney, we are speaking about efficiencies and our target is five working days so it is not unusual for us to be processing at that time."
Courtney Weatherburne
"The PSU believe or certain observers believe that it is only because this transaction or this transfer involves the UDP city council and another Chinese business owner that this process was expedited and that it is now you bring up the idea of efficiency when there are other citizens who would complain that there is no way that they would get those land transfers so quickly."
Hon. Hugo Patt, Minister of Natural Resources
"Look if there is any particular government agency that would approach the department and says look I want this to be expedited in any way possible, first and foremost we have to make sure everything is in order and then we proceed to assist in that fashion but as I said there is nothing illegal about this, the ministry as we speak is moving towards improving the services we ought to provide for citizens."
Courtney Weatherburne
"So you can say there was no special consideration made in this case?"
Hon. Hugo Patt, Minister of Natural Resources
"Procedurally speaking once it is in order it is processed."
Courtney Weatherburne
"You did not intervene as the Minister to expedite this process, the CEO or no one high ranking official didn't intervene to ensure everything was signed off perfectly?"
Hon. Hugo Patt, Minister of Natural Resources
"I can speak for myself, I did not intervene in any possible, there is no need for anybody to process a particular transaction which is a private one."
Patt also added that if anyone should be talking about expediting matters, it should be the PSU because he says the cabinet extended courtesies to the PSU for them to secure two lots up north.
Hon. Hugo Patt, Minister of Natural Resources
"The cabinet decided to give two prime parcels of land to the PSU, one in the Corozal district and one in the Orange Walk district, we gave those parcels of land for $1,000 each and if we are talking about efficiencies, the same people from the PSU went to our office and asked for them to be accommodated in getting the documentation done and we did it in practically a day and so when we are talking about accommodating and efficiencies, I don't think the PSU can complain that we did not procure when they had requested of our assistance."
Patt also said that he doesn't know who Simplex Design owner Xin Ni is neither does he know anything of the company. Patt confirms that the PSU has lodged a caution against this land sale at the Land department.
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