KINGSTON, Jamaica — Some 20 families of the Mandela Terrace community in St Andrew, who previously had no titles for the properties they occupy, now have legal access to those lands.

The residents received their documents Wednesday, November 7.

Minister with responsibility for Housing in the Ministry of Transport, Works and Housing, Morais Guy and Minister of Finance and Planning, Peter Phillips, made the presentations during a ceremony at the Faith United Church.

Mandela Terrace, located off Waltham Park Road, was created when people displaced by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988 occupied the lands.

The settlement was renamed in honour of former South African President and human rights activist, Nelson Mandela, and gradually grew in size over the years.

The Government, along with community self-help efforts, led by the Provident Society developed the settlement under Operation PRIDE.

So far, infrastructure works include roads, potable water and electricity.

In his remarks at the ceremony, Guy urged the beneficiaries to exercise diligence in the management and utilisation of the titles, and ensure that they redound to the benefit of their families.