fp Turks and Caicos

Deputy Commissioner of Lands Tatum Clerveaux has been promoted to Commissioner of Lands on the recommendation of government and approval of the Public Service Commission.

Clerveaux will be responsible for the overall strategic direction and interdepartmental coordination of the various land management departments.

As part of government reorganization announced in January, Clerveaux will report to the Attorney General and be responsible for the Land Registry, the Crown Land Unit, Valuation and Surveys/Mapping. This change is part of the new Crown Land Policy that was published in September.

Clerveaux has held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Lands for the past four years, where she has played a major role in the reform of Crown land administration and management. That includes the establishment of the Crown Land Unit, enactment of the Crown Land (illegal Occupation) Ordinance, establishment of the Illegal Settlement Task Force and a strategy to address illegal development.

More recently Clerveaux has been instrumental in the development of the new Crown Land Policy and formulation of the Crown Land Bill, as well as the establishment of new transparent and equitable procedures for the allocation of Crown land.

Prior to her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Lands, she worked as the Assistant Commissioner of Lands where she understudied the former Commissioner of Lands. Clerveaux also served as Scientific Officer with the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources and advised on numerous policies in the areas of natural resources management, environmental quality and growth and development of the islands.

Clerveaux said she is “excited about the new responsibilities and challenges that come with the post” and “welcomes the opportunity to steer the land management arm of government along the path of good governance.”

Clerveaux holds a master’s of science degree in Natural Resource Management from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. She also has a background in estate management, having received training in Land Registry Law and Practices, College of Law, U.K.