Gov't to review use of state-owned lands

 

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the government is taking a closer look at how state-owned lands are organised and used, with the aim of supporting structured communities while protecting key agricultural areas.

 

Speaking at a land titling ceremony at the Lacovia Community Centre in St. Elizabeth over the weekend, Dr. Holness disclosed that there is a deliberate effort now being pursued to bring government-owned lands under a single portfolio for review.

 

He explained that several agencies currently hold lands, and careful planning is needed to determine how these assets may be better utilised.

 

Dr. Holness said the National Land Agency has already identified several thousand acres of land, including zoned lots, that can form part of this process. 

 

"I have given a directive now for a couple of years to the National Land Agency, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Sugar Company of Jamaica and all the other companies that hold government land, that we must bring all those lands together under a portfolio for our examination to see how we can start to, as we say in Jamaica, cut up the land, to build structured communities, to make them available to the average Jamaica. The NLA has provided us with several thousand acres; several thousand sounds a lot, but when you break it down, it's not really a lot of land," he conceded.

 

The Prime Minister added that, while there is a growing demand for housing and land settlement, the protection of productive agricultural lands remains a priority.

 

He said the government is committed to preserving prime agricultural areas, even as it explores options for development.

 

At the same time, he acknowledged that some marginal lands may need to be repurposed to meet settlement needs.

 

Dr. Holness said these decisions are critical as Jamaica plans for the future, adding that the government is focused on long-term land-use planning that balances development, food security, and the evolving needs of citizens.