NLA Boosts Land Surveillance and Inspection Capacities

The National Land Agency’s (NLA) land surveillance and inspection capacities have been enhanced, with the acquisition of a Land Registration System/Parcel Data Management System (LRS/PDMS).
The LRS/PDMS is a computerized system that integrates some of the operations of the Land Titles and the Surveys and Mapping Divisions. The LRS component deals with land registration matters, while the PDMS component deals with geographic information systems.
As stated in a report from the NLA, the system, which has been in place since 2004/05, has reduced turnaround time for memorandum matters such as mortgages, transfers, notation of marriage and death; improved capacity to deal with a greater volume of transactions; and reduced the opportunity for fraud.
In terms of reducing turnaround time for processing titles, the NLA reported that in 2004/05 the agency was able to complete 71 per cent of dealings in existing titles in 15 days, up from 17 days in 2003/04, and between April 2005 and January 2006, 93 per cent of these matters were completed in 15 days.
As for inspection of properties, 35 per cent of the 580 properties leased by the Commissioner of Lands were inspected during 2003/2004, and 75 per cent over the period 2004/2005.
“Inspections are done to ensure that land is used for the purposes set out in the leases and that notices are served when the terms of the lease are not observed,” the report explained.
Meanwhile, the NLA undertook 11 hydrographic surveys over the last four financial years. This is in keeping with its mandate to survey areas that are part of the country’s territorial boundaries and this extends to boundaries beyond the coastline.
During 2002/2003, four surveys were done for the Jamaica Public Service Company at the Power Barge Site and Shell Pier at Rockfort; the Cruise Ship Pier in Ocho Rios; and at Cane Point, Lucea Harbour. A survey was done during 2003/2004, at berth two, Montego Freeport.
At the requests of government agencies and a private company, the NLA completed five surveys in 2004/2005 at berth two, Montego Freeport; part of the Montego Bay Freeport; Jamaica Gypsum; and Harbour Head, Bank of Jamaica – Kingston Ice Factory, and Berths 8-11, Port Bustamante, Kingston Harbour.
According to NLA’s report, “in some instances, the depth Of the Harbour had to be checked so that ships can transit safely [while in] other instances, verification was required for excavation work.”
In 2005/06, one survey was done at Jamaica Gypsum.