Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1528437
8 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 25 OCTOBER 2024 NEWS Lands minister Stefan Zrinzo and Gozo minister Clint Camilleri presided over the signing of an agreement between Lands Authority and the Xaghra Scout Group. The Xaghra Scout Group received larger property to operate from. Zrinzo Azzopardi said the Lands Authority is doing a good job identifying space and buildings that could be better utilised for the benefit of the community. Camilleri said with the larger property, the Xaghra Scout Group will be able to better meet the needs of today and in the future. Xaghra's Group Scout Leader Steven Sultana said that the group is one of the largest youth organisations in Gozo, hosting 150 children, teens and volunteers. Robert Vella, Principal Executive Officer within the Lands Authority, was also present for the signing. THE Land Registration Agency now has a new office in Gozo, in what the Minister for Lands and the Implementation of the Elec- toral Programme said is a result of the government's commit- ment to ensuring the best cus- tomer service. Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, who was accompanied for the in- auguration by Clint Camilleri, Minister for Gozo and Planning, said that through substantial in- vestment in digital technology, the agency has become more effi- cient in its tasks and, in so doing, rendering a better service to its clients. He said that in the first nine months of 2024, the agency re- ceived 10,400 applications for the registration of properties and re- lated hypothecs. More than 28% of these applications were from Gozo. Zrinzo Azzopardi explained that in Gozo, more than 1,300 re- search applications were lodged for properties registered on the island and that there were 150 applications for the registration of condominium administrators. This amounts to 17% of condo- miniums registered in Malta and Gozo in the first 9 months of 2024. "Government is committed to keep investing in new technol- ogy to strengthen the Agency's efficiency, transparency of its op- erations and good governance in the research and registration of properties", he said, adding that the Agency will be transforming the archives at the Land Registry into a digital archive. Zrinzo Azzopardi emphasized the important role of the Land Registration Agency to the coun- try's economy and explained that this ongoing investment had the sole purpose of ensuring that the Agency renders an efficient ser- vice to its clients – notaries, law- yers, periti and the public. Camilleri said that the new Agency office in Gozo is an in- vestment for the wellbeing of its employees and to ensure a better service to the public. He said that this investment by the Ministry for Gozo and Planning is not a one-off and explained that earlier this year, various public sector offices were modernised. These included the Administration Centre of the Gozo and Planning Ministry, which underwent major works for its modernisation for the well- being of its employees. Perit Michelle Piccinino, the Chief Executive of the Agency, officials from the agency and em- ployees were in attendance. Land Registration Agency has a new office in Gozo Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi (third from left) with Clint Camilleri (fourth from left) at the inauguration of the new Land Registry Agency office in Gozo