Minister Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Minister Hon. Maurice Lake has coordinated a meeting that has brought together Notaries, Cadastre, Domain Affairs and Receivers in order to facilitate improved services to the public of Sint Maarten.
It was the first time that the aforementioned entities of the country were brought together in a setting to discuss how the four different groups can improve their services to the benefit of clients where the transfer of the right of long lease of government land is concerned.
During the discussions, some minor technicalities were identified and an agreement has been reached on moving forward. The four groups that play a role in the transfer of government long lease land will meet in three months’ time to review the current state of affairs at that time.
Minister Lake informed the four entities that especially notaries and the cadaster that the Minister of VROMI must give approval first before any division, transfer, or change of purpose of government land can take place.
"Bringing together the four organs that play a role in the long lease of government land was essential since these entities only spoke to each other via phone or email. They never met together as a group.
"In my back to basics approach, it calls for an improvement in services to the public and taking it from a bottoms-up approach. If there are challenges being experienced, let’s find solutions and resolve these within the shortest possible period of time.
"Things should not have to linger, but be resolved in the interests of the people. Residents and commercial interests need to be provided with the correct information by explaining them about the process and the right procedures that have to be followed. The public wants and deserves efficient and effective service and this was the aim of the meeting," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Sunday.
Some of the issues brought forward by the various entities attending the meeting were the synchronization of the date of executing a deed. This is to avoid long waiting times at the Notary.
Notaries encountered problems when making payments related to a deed of long lease at the Receivers.
With respect to Domain Affairs, in connection with the transfer of long lease of government land, the Notary files and the aforementioned entity should be up to date. An agreement was reached during the meeting on how to resolve this matter.
PHOTO CUTLINE: Minister Hon. Maurice Lake (6th from left) with representatives from the Notaries, Receivers, Domain Affairs, Cadastre and members of the Cabinet of the Minister. Photo DCOMM