Bob Marley Beach: Government to probe residents' property right claims

There's been a significant development in the situation at Bob Marley Beach in St Thomas following reports of a pending eviction, with government now looking into reports that at least two residents of the community had applied for registered titles years ago.

The Government has dispatched a team from the National Land Agency to visit the area to probe the matter.

This was disclosed on Friday by Information Minister Robert Morgan as he responded to the issue on Beyond the Headlines.

Members of the advocacy group, Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement, gathered at the beach on Friday in anticipation of an eviction process.

It's reported that the lands were sold to a private entity seeking to develop the property.

Attorney-at-Law Dr Marcus Goffe confirmed that an application for an injunction to stop the eviction has already been filed in the Supreme Court.

Mr Morgan asserted that the state still owns Bob Marley beach, but some of the adjoining lands are owned by private entities.

It was Dr Goffe, who represents Jamaica Beach Birthright Environmental Movement, who revealed that two Rastafarian elders from the community had made applications for registered titles from the National Land Agency.

He said these applications have been stalled for what he characterized as strange reasons.

Mr Morgan said this claim will have to be probed by the government.