The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Government is still aiming to develop an “integrated and comprehensive” package of reforms that would create a Bahamian Land Registry, a Cabinet Minister telling Tribune Business this was part of wider economic development and planning efforts.

“It’s still a part of what we are doing. We want to propose an integrated and comprehensive set of reforms that are going to modernise our system of administration and governance, “ said minister of state for investments, Khaalis Rolle.

“When you look at the premise of a national development plan, the premise is to have a unified, comprehensive, integrated plan that is propelling us forward. We have to factor in all of the different components, and that is one of the components.”

He added: “It’s very significant because it allows better decision making. You have a Land Registry where you know what is available, who owns it and what the capacity of the land is in terms of its social capacity and its economic capacity.

“It puts you in a a better position to make decisions. We see that as part of the reform process for economic development and planning.”

In an interview with Tribune Business last year, Mr Rolle said the Government was planning to “revive” a three Bill-strong legislative package that would create a Bahamian Land registry.

The Land Adjudication Bill, the Registered Land Bill and the Law of Property Bill were all brought forward under the former Ingraham administration. The Christie government committed in its 2012 election manifesto to moving towards a Land Registry system in the Bahamas, describing this as “a must”.