THE EDITOR, Sir:I HAVE read with avid interest the keynote address of Dr. Marshall Hall at the 'Dialogue for Development' lecture series organised by the PSOJ, as reported in The Sunday Gleaner of November 28, 2004. I often wonder why so many small and medium-size owners of land find it so difficult to raise funds on their own initiative to develop their farms and other enterprising projects, when valuable assets in acres of land are available.
A noted lawyer informed me that in his earlier career he was assigned to the Administrator General's office. He was appalled to see the huge mountains of documents for years awaiting processing. This is equally true at the Titles Office. The assumed reasons are the lack of adequate staff and bureaucratic delays.
The documents sitting there for years are crucial as collateral to secure loans for development. Many hardworking and proud potential entrepreneurs could use these valuable instruments for their own development instead of waiting on Government and other handouts for their own advancement.
Successive governments have ignored this senseless bottleneck, this reservoir of 'dead assets', awaiting to energise potential entrepreneurs into action. What a pity! We hope Dr. Hall's exhortation on 'dead assets' will alert the authorities to some positive initiatives.
We are advised that in Miami, Florida, United States, a land title is processed in weeks rather than years. Let's hope for some action.
I am, etc.,
A. BYFIELD
Boscobel P.O.
Box 4162 St. Mary
