Twenty-two (22) individuals comprising farmers and agro-processors from South Trinidad, became the beneficiaries of State land for agricultural purposes, following the distribution of lease letters at the Rio Claro Hindu Primary School on Sunday 6th March, 2022.
The lease letters were distributed by the Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, convey Cabinet’s approval to grant standard agricultural leases for an initial period of thirty (30) years.
In his address to the recipients, Minister Rambharat noted that while there were several operatives involved in the final execution of a lease, one of the key stages in the process was the acquisition of Cabinet’s approval which he said was particularly significant. According to him, this was so because many land matters endured very lengthy periods of delay given their errors and other complexities prior to advancing to the final stage. Furthermore, the Minister added, these lease letters now formalise the status of one’s lease application whilst also serving as a guarantee for recipients to access both financial institutions and State entities in order to conduct business transactions on their respective agricultural parcels.
Among some of the other undertakings in the process outlined by the Honourable Minister were: the issuance of a letter of offer from the Office of the Commissioner of State Lands (COSL) and acceptance of said letter; the nomination of a land surveyor and the execution of the survey; the submission of the survey plan to the COSL and; the instruction of the Chief State Solicitor by the COSL, for the finalisation of the lease.
Minister Rambharat reiterated the need for persons to be vigilant in following-up with their applications and also reminded them of the available option they have of contacting his Office, should they receive no communication from the COSL within forty-five (45) days from the date of receipt of their lease letters.