PM Says 1,200 Land Titles to be Delivered for 2016/17

Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says he expects the target of delivering 1,200 land titles for the 2016/17 financial year will be achieved, and possibly surpassed.

He said this is largely as a result of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Land Administration and Management Programme (LAMP) and the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ) for the provision of a $90 million grant to fund the initiative.

Mr. Holness said some 600 titles have been handed over since the signing of the agreement in 2014, with an additional 1,000 now being processed. The grant assists beneficiaries in acquiring the land titles, as well as with incidental costs, including the surveying of lands.

The Prime Minister was addressing a ceremony, held at Jamaica House on August 23, to hand over some 220 land titles to individuals from parishes across the country.

He commended the DBJ, LAMP, as well as the recipients for all the effort put into getting the titles done.

“We are seeking to empower all Jamaicans with a renewed sense of ownership and pride in Jamaica by ensuring that each person has a title for their land. We want every Jamaican to have a vested interest in building Jamaica land we love,” he said.

Mr. Holness said having a title is an asset that can be used “to secure your future and that of your children”, noting that it is useful as collateral for loans, for helping to set up businesses, build homes and finance education.

“In fact, it changes the whole profile of a family and provides a foundation on which to build dreams and goals of a better, more prosperous life; (it also) fosters a sense of dignity and self-esteem in the landowner,” he said, adding that this creates greater social stability in communities.

Meanwhile, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister, Hon. Derrick Smith, in congratulating the recipients, said the Government is committed to building on the foundation started by LAMP to make security of tenure a reality for Jamaicans.

“Certainly, we are moving in the right direction to make Jamaica the prosperous place of choice to live, raise families and do business,” he said.

The Embassy of the Republic of Korea was also a partner in the initiative.

The titling ceremony was attended by other Cabinet members, Members of Parliament, members of the diplomatic corps and private-sector leaders.