Gov’t to address land settlement issues in Westmoreland

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness announced the government’s intensified focus on regularizing land settlements in Westmoreland, prompted by challenges highlighted by Hurricane Melissa. He emphasized that the current land situation in the parish is unstructured, leading to insecurity of tenure for many residents who do not own the land they occupy. Holness stated the issue requires a balanced approach considering emotional, economic, legal, and planning factors, aiming to provide all Jamaican citizens with fair access to land. The goal of regularization is to provide secure, sustainable land ownership integrated into government planning.

Furthermore, Holness connected land settlement to climate change, noting the increasing frequency and intensity of hurricanes in the Caribbean. He warned that climate-related threats necessitate a transformation in how communities are settled, with land registration playing a crucial role in guiding safer development. He stressed the importance of a proper land registration system for the future settlement of Jamaica, ensuring long-term security and sustainability for residents. “Every year countries like Jamaica will face a climate event that will have an impact on our balance sheet, but more so an impact on your household,” he said.

(Source：Jamaica Gleaner)