Canterbury, St. James Residents Being Targeted for Land Titles

Nearly 2000 residents of the Canterbury land settlement in Montego Bay, St. James, could soon receive certificates of title for properties they currently occupy.

Minister without Portfolio, Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy, made this disclosure during an interview with JIS News following a tour of the community on March 7.

Dr. Guy advised that, “some time ago”, the government took a decision to undertake “regularization of persons occupying the area.” This, “as part of the administration’s policy directives in ensuring that people have access to titles.”

In this regard, he indicated that the Ministry will be “looking at to see whether the State will have a role to play in this settlement.”

The Minister also gave an undertaking to work with the representatives of Canterbury to explore the possibilities for improved housing and other developments in the community.

Canterbury was one of several communities in Central St. James which Dr. Guy visited along with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Member of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd B. Smith, and other Ministry officials.

Other areas included: Railway and Barnett Lanes, Hart Street, North Gully, and the Albion Mews housing development, along with the Montego Bay Transport Centre.

Responding to Dr. Guy’s announcement, Mr. Smith indicated that he is “hopeful” about the prospects for Canterbury, and anticipates implementation of the Canterbury Redevelopment Plan.

“There is a development plan…which will be put in operation soon; and phase one of that plan will (entail) extensive beautification and (significant improvement) of the whole community,” he told JIS News.

Meanwhile, Dr. Guy said he will be engaging residents of Albion Mews in discussions regarding drainage construction works currently being undertaken, 95 per cent of which has been completed, among other matters related to the community.