PM Fulfils Promise to Land Scam Victim
By: , December 20, 2023
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (second left), embraces Shaniel Francis (left), after presenting her with the keys to her new three-bedroom house under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) at Casabanna in Clifton, St. Catherine, on December 19 . Sharing the moment are Member of Parliament St. Catherine East Central, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (right); and Member of Parliament, St. Catherine South Eastern, Robert Miller.
Photo: Yhomo Hutchinson
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness (left), provides new homeowner Shaniel Francis (second right) with the documents for her new three-bedroom house under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) at Casabanna in Clifton, St. Catherine, on December. 19. Sharing the moment (from second left) are Member of Parliament, St. Catherine South Eastern, Robert Miller; Member of Parliament St. Catherine East Central, Hon. Alando Terrelonge (right); and Member of Parliament, St. Catherine Southern, Fitz Jackson.The Full Story
Shaniel Francis of St. Catherine is now the proud owner of a brand-new three-bedroom house, just in time for Christmas.
Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, handed over the keys to the unit in Clifton on Tuesday (December 19), which was constructed under the Government’s New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).
Miss Francis came to national attention last year, as one of the victims of a land scam in the Greater Bernard Lodge development area. Her unfinished, illegal structure was taken down in October 2022.
Prime Minister Holness, during a visit to the area, had committed to assisting the young woman in receiving a legal structure.
At yesterday’s handover, a thankful Miss Francis expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Holness and all those involved in the process. She said her dream of homeownership has finally been realised.
“I have been through a lot and to finally have a home for myself, I am very happy… . This is a lovely home,” Miss Francis said.
“First and foremost, I want to say thank you to God for without him, this wouldn’t be possible. I want to say I am proud and grateful as a new homeowner and I want to express my sincere gratitude to the Most Hon. Andrew Holness and the NSHP for making it possible for me as a young lady to receive a brand-new house.
“Thanks to everyone who came out to support me and thank you to everyone who was on my side and supported me,” she expressed.
Prime Minister Holness, in his address, noted that the NSHP is designed to improve the living conditions of vulnerable Jamaicans and improve homeownership.
He said that Miss Francis now has a house that is properly built and the supporting documentation for ownership.
“I really wanted, Shaneil, for you to have this house before Christmas… . You have been through a lot, and as soon as the others (victims of the land scam) have sought to regularise themselves, we will extend a similar treatment,” he said.
He noted that other persons are in discussion with the Sugar Company of Jamaica (SCJ) Holdings Limited, which owns the property, to arrive at a solution.
Mr. Holness said the unit presented to Miss Francis was constructed in three weeks and thanked the contractor for the work undertaken.
The NSHP operates under the Housing, Opportunity, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme, through the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.
The initiative aims to improve the housing condition of Jamaica’s neediest citizens.