Hugo Patt Speaks on Taking over the Ministry of Natural Resources

His promotion to the second most powerful government ministry is still making headlines, but since the announcement that on June twenty-fifth, he will become the new Minister of Natural Resources, Hugo Patt today gave his first impression as to the way forward in the ministry. According to him, a number of reforms have been implemented at the Lands Department, all with an aim to expedite the process of acquiring titles and leases, while ensuring that the system itself remains reliable and to rid the ministry of corruption. Patt’s appointment is the fourth since former Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega stepped down amid a huge scandal in 2016. Vega had approved four hundred thousand dollars each in land compensation for his son, Andre and Sharon Pitts near the Haulover Bridge. Patt laid out his plans for improving the services offered at the ministry.

Hugo Patt

Hugo Patt, Minister of Natural Resources

“I can tell you for a fact that as far as I am concerned, a number of reforms have been done in the ministry, so that we have a starting point and the idea is for us to put up a team together that will look more than likely at ideas coming from all angles of the community so that we can come up with ideas to see how we can streamline and how we get the services that are needed in order for the entire sector of our country to actually get their things in order.  We realize that well there have been a number of reforms, as I said, a number of procedures added.  There is a level of discontent in the bureaucracy in the system and so the idea is for us to get together with everybody and come up with advice and ideas as to how best, while maintaining the structure, getting the services in a timely manner.”

Isani Cayetano

“Now, I guess that one of the questions that is pressing is the fact that Belizean citizens and those who are accessing this particular service from the ministry are looking for longevity. It’s the fourth assignment since the departure of your colleague Gaspar Vega.  What assurances can be made that perhaps this is going to be a lasting fix that ensures either continuity or that the services are done and carried out in an efficient manner?”

Hugo Patt

“Look, we hit the horse running and so I will be honest with you, there is no time to look at restructuring the entire system. I think the approach has to be one where as much as we want to revamp the system, we have to look at how best in the short term,  in the immediate term and in the long haul we make sure that we have the processes in place to make sure that the ordinary man out there, the grassroots person out there can get his or her documents in place. I can tell you that there are a number of systems, as I have been told, that have been implemented and which have worked, but the system needs to be improved and so the idea is for us to make sure that whatever is there that is impeding or bumping the process from having a smooth flow, those are the areas in which we will streamline and make sure that in a timely manner this is produced.”