The signing took place at the Office of The Prime Minister where officials reported that there would be a three-year execution period for the project.
Minister of State for Finance James Smith said that the funds secured to launch the Land Use Policy and Administration Project (LUPAP) is an important step.
“The purpose of the LUPAP project is to improve the efficiency of land administration and land information management while preparing modern land policy guidelines and legislation, thereby contributing to improved use of land resources of The Bahamas, Minister Smith said.
The government will also use $1.5 million of public funds to get the project off the ground.
According to Minister Smith, the funds will be used to deliver three interrelated components: land administration modernization, on which $3.32 million of the funds will be spent; land information management; and project coordinating unit.
He explained that $0.5 million is being estimated for the reactivation of the Bahamas National Geographic Information System and $0.36 million for the Project Coordinating Unit.
Speaking to the specifics of the initiative, IDB representative, Richard Herring, explained that the project comprises components such as computerized data and land location, use and ownership.
“This will be of enormous value, for example to government agencies in planning infrastructure projects and to owners of land in their planning of major tourism and other projects, Mr. Herring said.
He said it is vital for a growing economy to have clear information on land ownership and usage.
“One cannot manage the environment, plan modern, major developments, put in place capital infrastructure, and take the measures to improve the quality of the physical environment without information on land use, Mr. Herring said.
He added that, “Without such information being readily available, protracted title research is essential and indeed, even worse, disputes over ownership are inevitable and cooperation among government agencies over land use and development is extremely difficult.
Mr. Herring also said that for years The Bahamas has lacked clear and readily accessible information on the use and ownership of land.
“This is becoming a hurdle to our continued rapid economic development and therefore must be removed with as much urgency as possible, he said.
“It now remains to implement this project as effectively as possible so that The Bahamas has the land administration system which it needs going forward in its economic development.
By: Royanne Forbes, The Bahama Journal
