On Wednesday, there was a standoff between the informal settlers and the property owner after heavy duty equipment was sent to demolish houses.
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Jess Beach, President of the Little Bay Citizens Association and Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Prime Minister Andrew Holness on Thursday held an informal meeting some of the individuals who resisted attempts on Wednesday to remove them from a private property in Little Bay, Westmoreland.
Some of the informal settlers gathered Thursday morning near the ground breaking ceremony for construction of the Little London Police Station where Mr. Holness was the guest speaker.
Jess Beach, President of the Little Bay Citizens Association, told Radio Jamaica News she was pleased with how the Prime Minister addressed the residents.
According to her, Mr. Holness admitted that the land dispute is a private matter but said he would make enquiries "about places where some of us can be relocated".
She, like other residents in the informal settlement, insisted she is "not afraid of moving" but does not agree with residents being "harassed".
There was a standoff on Wednesday involving the residents and the property owner.
Heavy duty equipment was sent to demolish houses on the property. However, the occupants, who have lived in the area for several years, insisted that they would not leave.
The residents poured gasoline on the equipment and threatened to set it ablaze.
Speaking during the ground breaking ceremony on Thursday, the Prime Minister said special attention will be placed on providing suitable housing solutions for residents of Westmoreland.
Mr. Holness disclosed that he has been in consultation with several entities to provide information on lands available for development.
"I have asked the Sugar Company of Jamaica, NLA [National Land Agency] and other agencies that have land in the area to give me a full profile portfolio of the lands that are available and we're going to develop them for housing. Will put in place a process to have houses built on these lands and we will make the houses available through the regular channels of the NHT," he said.
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