ANATI Orders Official Investigation Into Punta Chame Land Grab - Freezes Property Transfer
The director of the National Land Authority, Franklin Oduber, announced today on the channel 2 TVN morning news program the ANATI has launched an official investigation, and issued and order to prevent the company from selling a parcel of land measuring more than 9,000 square meters in the center of the beach in Punta Chame, after a complaint filed by Don Winner, editor of the webpage www.panama-guide.com.
As reported by Winner on the TVN morning news last week, an area of sand was produced by the sea, and the then Director of Land Titles Anabelle Villamonte gave title on this land free of charge to the company Puntabeach Interprises S.A., which now aims to sell the land for $1.5 million dollars. The resolution is dated October 7, 2011.
Oduber said they have heard more stories on this topic, but it's just one lot that needs to be investigated, and if there is something wrong it will be rectified, because in the case referred to, there is one area which can be titled and another no. "It is subject to fix things," said Oduber, and he encouraged people to submit complaints in order to investigate.
However, he said there are people who do not know Law 80 which created the ANATI, and there could be inconsistencies in the allegations. He added it is difficult to predict whether or not the person who borders the land has title or not.
Oduber also said in Juan Hombrón, in the province of Cocle, the ANATI has not issued any eviction order in the area to the left, where there are many people who have Rights of Possession, and where they will continue with massive titling. During the administration of Ricardo Martinelli more than 270,000 people have received title on their lands. Oduber said they hope to reach a million land titles issued. He said that while the law was amended, they kept the spirit of granting land titles in order to benefit those who have the least resources. (TVN)
