Dear Editor,
Can President Ali fast forward land applications in the Rupununi through Guyana Land and Survey Commission? President Irfaan Ali was recently in Lethem and painted a great picture of possibilities for the region, ranging from a duty free zone to an agricultural power house. He reportedly also met with residents to discuss issues of concern to them. I am a resident of the Rupununi but was unfortunately out of the region and missed out on this golden opportunity to interact directly with His Excellency.
I am however hoping that I can use this medium of communication to highlight to our president an issue which I would have liked to address to him in person. This issue is the slow processing of land applications in Region #9 through the Guyana Lands and Surveys Commission. I applied for a parcel of land over a year ago to undertake a business venture. I completed all of the preliminary documentation and paid my requisite fees (at my time of application I saw a poster in the GL&SC office which showed that the process from application to approval would take less than 12 months.) So I was expecting my application to be processed within such a time frame. However, almost a year and a half later I still do not know the status of my application.
Editor, the foundation for any business venture is the quick approval of lands. You are on record as encouraging us citizens to be brave and invest since opportunities abound in our rapidly emerging oil economy. I have been encouraged by your pronouncements and am excited to explore the opportunities that are available. But my venture can only commence upon approval of my land application. As such I am humbly requesting if the President can look into whatever is slowing the land allocation process in Region #9 and give the go ahead to have pending applications processed in the allotted period as outlined by the GL&SC.
Sincerely,
M. Allicock
