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Government to Distribute 45,000 Land Titles Over Three Years

By: , February 2, 2015

The Key Point:

The Government will be embarking on a programme to distribute 45,000 land titles over the next three years, under its land titling programme.

The Facts

  • Minister with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy made the comment at the handing over of 48 certificates of title at a ceremony in Flanker, St. James on January 30.
  • The presentation of the titles brought legitimacy and security of tenure to occupants and legatees, some of whom have lived for more than 50 years in Flanker, one of St James’ oldest informal settlements.

The Full Story

The Government will be embarking on a programme to distribute 45,000 land titles over the next three years, under its land titling programme.

Minister with responsibility for Housing, Hon. Dr. Morais Guy made the comment at the handing over of 48 certificates of title at a ceremony in Flanker, St. James on January 30.

The presentation of the titles brought legitimacy and security of tenure to occupants and legatees, some of whom have lived for more than 50 years in Flanker, one of St James’ oldest informal settlements.

Dr. Guy noted that the 45,000 titles are currently located in various Ministries and government agencies.

“At the rate of 15, 000 per annum, the titles, are to be distributed to occupiers over the next three years,” he stated.

He further commented that “if we release 15,000 titles per year, based on the economic activity of people…. we can generate Gross Domestic Product growth of between 0.5 to 1.0 percent in the economy each year.”

“That is the type of growth that I am saying that we can use our land to do and not only wait on those big investors who come on a one time basis to invest and to grow the economy,” he added.

Meanwhile Dr. Guy stated that government desires a partnership with land owners, as “we have assets in this country that we want to unlock and land is one of the greatest one, and you the citizens of this country… can be part of this growth and development (process).”

Dr Guy further urged the titleholders not to hide their titles under their mattresses, but to become engaged in economic activities.

For his part, Member of Parliament for North West St James Dr. Horace Chang lauded the Jamaica Social Investment Fund for its efforts over the years in upgrading the social and economic infrastructure of Flanker.

He noted that some $600million has been spent on projects which have changed the character and profile of Flanker and the adjoining community of Providence for the better.

The project in Flanker which stated in 2008, falls under the Jamaica Social Investment Fund’s (JSIF), Inner City Basic Services Project (ICBP) and has so far facilitated the process of splintering the entire project area of 753 lots and provided access to titles.

The partnership includes the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, the National Land Agency, National Environment and Planning Agency, Land Administration and Management Programme and the Housing Agency of Jamaica.

 

Last Updated: February 2, 2015

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