bahamiangoddess
05-05-08, - 02:34 AM
PM disappointed in Crown land processing
By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, Guardian Senior Reporter, kdl@nasguard.com
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has expressed disappointment over the slow pace of processing and approval of applications for Crown Land by Bahamians.
In an address to the Abaco Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Ingraham pointed out that this vexing problem would soon be a thing of the past, as additional land surveyors were being sought by the government.
"It is an unhappy truth that the survey staff of the Department of Lands and Surveys continues to be stretched by the huge demand for land by residents not only here in Abaco but all over the country," said the prime minister.
"We are presently engaged in an exercise to identify additional land surveyors for the department. Once additional manpower is in place, we expect that timelier processing of applications will become the norm."
Ingraham reported that already a team of land surveyors from the department were on the island, and following the completion of its task, it was expected that many long outstanding applications by residents of Abaco would be expedited.
He disclosed that the team members were concentrating their efforts in North Abaco where the government has proposed to expand residential subdivisions in Cooper's Town, Cedar Harbour, Mount Hope, Wood Cay, Fox Town and Crown Haven.
Also, residential subdivisions are to be expanded in Murphy Town, Spring City and Crossing Rocks in South Abaco. A new 600-lot government subdivision was also on tap for central Abaco.
In the meantime, Ingraham said while the government was encouraged and welcomed the interest placed in Abaco by the international investment community, it was not oblivious to the concerns and apprehensions of some Bahamians over foreign investors undertaking developments on prime land.
"Nor are we unconcerned in the face of some points of view that some of our most pristine land should not be developed period. Nor are we indifferent to concerns and fears that some land in some places is becoming at worst scarce and at best too expensive for many Bahamians," the prime minister said.
"I am acutely aware that land remains a major issue for many Bahamians. The transfer of large tracts of Crown Land for resale for upscale residential development primarily to foreign clientele has been protested for some time now.
"I came to office on a promise to halt such large scale transfers but also to accelerate the processing of applications by Bahamians to acquire Crown Land for residential or business purposes," he explained.
Meantime, the Free National Movement, which Ingraham leads, on Friday celebrated the first anniversary of its May 2, 2007 election victory.
By KEVA LIGHTBOURNE, Guardian Senior Reporter, kdl@nasguard.com
Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham has expressed disappointment over the slow pace of processing and approval of applications for Crown Land by Bahamians.
In an address to the Abaco Chamber of Commerce on Friday, Ingraham pointed out that this vexing problem would soon be a thing of the past, as additional land surveyors were being sought by the government.
"It is an unhappy truth that the survey staff of the Department of Lands and Surveys continues to be stretched by the huge demand for land by residents not only here in Abaco but all over the country," said the prime minister.
"We are presently engaged in an exercise to identify additional land surveyors for the department. Once additional manpower is in place, we expect that timelier processing of applications will become the norm."
Ingraham reported that already a team of land surveyors from the department were on the island, and following the completion of its task, it was expected that many long outstanding applications by residents of Abaco would be expedited.
He disclosed that the team members were concentrating their efforts in North Abaco where the government has proposed to expand residential subdivisions in Cooper's Town, Cedar Harbour, Mount Hope, Wood Cay, Fox Town and Crown Haven.
Also, residential subdivisions are to be expanded in Murphy Town, Spring City and Crossing Rocks in South Abaco. A new 600-lot government subdivision was also on tap for central Abaco.
In the meantime, Ingraham said while the government was encouraged and welcomed the interest placed in Abaco by the international investment community, it was not oblivious to the concerns and apprehensions of some Bahamians over foreign investors undertaking developments on prime land.
"Nor are we unconcerned in the face of some points of view that some of our most pristine land should not be developed period. Nor are we indifferent to concerns and fears that some land in some places is becoming at worst scarce and at best too expensive for many Bahamians," the prime minister said.
"I am acutely aware that land remains a major issue for many Bahamians. The transfer of large tracts of Crown Land for resale for upscale residential development primarily to foreign clientele has been protested for some time now.
"I came to office on a promise to halt such large scale transfers but also to accelerate the processing of applications by Bahamians to acquire Crown Land for residential or business purposes," he explained.
Meantime, the Free National Movement, which Ingraham leads, on Friday celebrated the first anniversary of its May 2, 2007 election victory.