Govt. to Assist in Completing Unplanned Developments

The Government is currently seeking to identify suspended unplanned developments that it can assist in bringing to completion.

This  should result in the regularisation of informal settlements and a higher standard of living for these residents who are mainly low income earners.

Making the disclosure  on December 11 at a key and land title presentation ceremony in the Hills of Boscobel development in St. Mary, Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, Dr. the Hon. Omar Davies, said the administration is working systematically to identify these informal settlements, “which have been started and left in a state of suspension”, then determine how these can be further developed  through a more orderly process.

Dr. Davies noted  that this requires co-operation between those who will benefit from this intervention and the State. He further urged low income earners to dispel the notion that a Government would be in a position to provide land, infrastructure and the actual building to them without charge.

“What we need to do community by community is to determine how the State can put up some of the assets which it owns, which would then marry with sweat equity and there has to be some actual payments,” he said.

The  Minister explained that the Government will work to bring to finality, developments that do not operate in a way which threatens the environment or violate the various regulations.

Dr. Davies also announced that the Government will also be looking into utilising  its available lands to provide housing solutions for low income earners.

“If we don’t seek to address the housing needs of those at the bottom of the income ladder, they will address these needs themselves…and that brings about a range of problems in terms of unplanned developments and environmental issues, ” he said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Davies said  with the Hills of Boscobel development, the Government, through Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ) has “delivered a quality product” to middle income earners.

He urged those who have benefitted to treasure their asset, build on it “and make this community one which is exemplary, not just in St. Mary but throughout the country.”

During the ceremony, several families received keys to their new two bedroom units in the Hills of Boscobel. In addition, long time occupants of land in the adjoining Boscobel View community  received  titles to these properties.