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Lands Road Tour Goes From Rural To Urban
posted (October 17, 2019)

Viewers are well aware of the bad reputation that the Lands Department has developed over the years. It has become one of those least liked Government offices due to the run-around that is involved with trying to get a piece of land. 

The public often becomes frustrated by the length of time needed to complete processes like land sales and transfers. And, for the residents who live in remote parts of the country, it often involves an entire day, or days lost dealing with the bureaucracy.

So, to improve customer service experience, the Department has started a policy of community outreach.

The residents the Port Loyola Division got treated to this new and enhanced customer service today. The Lands Department's public officers set up shop at the YMCA compound on Fabers Road, and during the course of the day, they met with 136 persons who showed up to make land queries. They were following up on a request by UDP Standard Bearer Phillip Willoughby, who wants to see the land problems of his potential voters resolved. 

Here's what Willoughby told us about how the first day of the Lands Department visit with Port Loyola went:

Phillip Willoughby - UDP Standard-Bearer, Port Loyola
"We did a tour of the constituency. On that tour, we did hold the consultations, as I mentioned. And as a result of those consultations, the constituents basically said, we have this list of issues. High on that list of issues pertains to - or concerns - land matters, hence the reasoning for having the Ministry here today. I spoke with CEO Belisle along with the Commissioner, I believe, about 3 weeks ago, in consultation, of course, with the Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Patt. And we agreed that today's date would have been set, we would have invited out the constituency through various mediums."

"And this collaboration was fostered in the likeliness to bring some sort of resolutions to those persons in the constituency who have land issues. So today, the frontline staff that you would meet at the Ministry are here collecting that information. After that, the commissioner and I will be briefed, and then actions will be taken on behalf of the constituency, or advice will be given on how we will proceed to deal with these matters. And then, we take it from there. What the frontline staff is basically doing is taking their names, numbers, and concerns."

Reporter
"What has been the reception of the folks from Port Loyola who've taken advantage of this opportunity?"

Phillip Willoughby
"Well, when we got here, about 8'o'clock, by 8:15 there were 30 people at the gate. As you see, there is a constant flow of persons coming in to register their concerns. So, I am grateful that the constituency is taking advantage of the opportunity to resolve their long outstanding matters."

This Port Loyola session continues tomorrow staring at 9:00. 

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