Maurice Mills
The Ministry of Land, Water, Environment and Climate Change in association with the National Land Agency (NLA) formally handed over land titles to eighty-four residents of 12 schemes located in St Ann, St Mary and Portland. Also given out were titles of allotment to 88 persons, in the ceremony at the St Mary Parish Church Hall, on Thursday, July 31, 2014.
Attending the ceremony were: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller, Robert Pickersgill minister of Land, Water, Environment and Climate Change, Dr Morais Guy, minister without portfolio in the Housing ministry, Ian Hayles, state minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries along with mayors from the three parish capitals, among other officials.
In her keynote address, the prime minster said that in keeping with the Emancipation theme, the handing over of land was a sign of the freedom for which ancestors of Jamaicans fought. She said that getting a title was more than symbolic, it represented hope in the future.
“We can draw from the well of history as a fitting context of what we did here today in this land title…after so many years of waiting, this means more to you than a certificate of ownership. It means independence, accomplishment and collateral with which you can use to negotiate loans and other acquisition. It means pride in the fact that you can leave a legacy for your children and generation to come.”
In his address, Mr Pickersgill said that it was the absence of a title why many Jamaicans can do very little with their land. He further stated that “the absence of titles also creates disputes that end up in violence.” Stating that land ownership was a means by which the goals of Vision 2030 can be realized, the minister said that it was an aim of the administration to “ensure that all Jamaicans, regardless of socioeconomic status have the ability to own their own piece of the rock.”
“Indeed when you own your land, you have security, protection and peace of mind,” the minister said.
Petal Brown of Anchovy in Portland was an elated recipient of her title and stated: “I feel delighted that I am now a land owner. Some people don’t live long enough to get their title, hence I am happy.” Brown also indicated that she was pleased with the processing done by the NLA as the time to pay was reasonable and also the sum of money was reasonable. “Title owners can now use this (title) to their benefit… this is a day that goes down in history.”
Milton George of Fort George in St Mary was also happy. He indicated that he owned a piece of land for 22 years but never had a title for it. He said in the initial stages, he got “some fight” to get off the land but now that he has the title it is a good thing. “It is good because I don’t have to be in problem…it gives me joy to say it is my land.”
A total of 1008 parcels of land were surveyed under the Cadastral Mapping and Land Registration Project and to date, 806 certificates of title have been issued in the name of the Commissioner of Land which are then transferred to the allottees. Those who have been given notices of allotment are urged to complete their payments in order to get their certificates. The schemes in St Mary that the beneficiaries came from are: Llangley, Quebec, Salisbury, Fort Stewart and Fort George, and Tryall. In St Ann the schemes were: Devon, Bradfield and Crescent Park, Faith’s Pen and Vinewood and in Portland, the schemes were Anchovy, Kildare and Low Leyton.
The event was chaired by Dr. Sharon Crooks and the audience was entertained by the Boscobel dance troupe, NLA Chorale and Erica and Evie Lumsden.
