As part of this initiative, a stakeholder consultation was held on Friday, February 7, to discuss the consultancy services required for developing and implementing the system’s technical framework. Sheralyn Monrose-Gustave, Project Manager for CARDTP, emphasized that the e-Land Registry aligns seamlessly with CARDTP’s objectives of expanding access to digital services, technologies, and skills for government agencies, businesses, and individuals.
“The e-Land Registry information system is part of two activities under the CARDTP valued at about US$1.9 million. The activity is expected to last about 19 months and during that time the consultants will be developing the technical requirements to inform the implementation of the system. But, they will also be providing support in terms of contract management. There is a huge aspect which deals with change management and sensitization for both the public and the staff from the Department of Physical Development as well as capacity building for the system.”
Registrar of Lands, Savita Chandler, highlighted that one of the key advantages of an e-Land Registry System is the ability to access land registry services from anywhere in the world. This increased accessibility will significantly enhance the efficiency and productivity of the Department of Physical Development. She also underscored the critical role of the land registry in the lives of everyday Saint Lucians, emphasizing its impact on property ownership, security of tenure, and economic opportunities.
“Land Registry I think is the root, or the key for almost any transaction. People come in for simple things, for connection to Lucelec and water, mortgages, you can’t transact without access to the land registry. So I think it’s super important and integral to many business services on island.”
The consultation brought together key stakeholders, including lead consultant RMSI Private Limited from India, sub-consultant Datashore from Saint Lucia, the Project Manager from CARDTP, and a team from the Department of Physical Development, led by the Deputy Permanent Secretary. Dr. Senthil Rajendran, Project Team Leader for RMSI, expressed enthusiasm for the development a robust and reliable e-Land Registry System for Saint Lucia.
“So when we talk about land, we’re talking directly about the economic development of the country and there are multiple stakeholders around the land registration departments, from Police departments, taxation department, planning department, urban planning and development, so many other departments are revolving around land registration. So be it Invest Saint Lucia. Invest Saint Lucia is one of the key stakeholders for the land registry as well, like the foreign direct investments that are coming to the country. Foreigners investing in properties, buying land, they all need a very reliable source of land information which is very important which is going to drive the economy of the country itself.”
The Government of Saint Lucia remains committed to leveraging digital innovation to enhance public service delivery and drive sustainable economic development.