- GOVERNMENT UTILISES TECHNOLOGY FOR GREATER EFFICIENCY
The Caribbean Digital Transformation Project- CARDTP began a three-day workshop this morning as part of its efforts to implement a Single Window for Land and Property Transactions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
Project Coordinator of CARDTP Winston George said the workshop will focus on the needs and requirements for the governance, management and sharing of spatial or land use data and information, the establishment of a digital parcel-based land information system and the establishment of an electric single window for land and property transactions. He noted that following the workshop, they will prepare terms of references and requests for proposals to implement each item.
Prime Minister Dr. Gonsalves said the existing system for land and property transactions is time-consuming, expensive and inefficient and needs to be changed. The Prime Minister pointed out that the new system will work in the best interest of all consumers because it is “faster, cheaper and accurate” and the project is part of the overall quest of the government to build a modern economy.
Minister with responsibility for Lands Montgomery Daniel said land is a limited resource that is in high demand, therefore, land management is crucial. He pointed out that lands are needed for housing, agriculture, infrastructure and recreation. “All these are competing issues for land and the scarce land that we do have for our own development,” the minister said.
Daniel said “Successive administrations have strived to maintain the best possible management systems for lands to best aid in land management and its control. But despite their best efforts, there continue to be tremendous problems in land management”.
The CARDTP, which aims to increase access to digital services, technologies and skills by government businesses and individuals is being implemented throughout the Windward Islands.
The project is being implemented in St. Vincent and the Grenadines through a loan from the World Bank valued at US$30 million.
