WESTERN BUREAU – The Montego Bay chapter of the human rights group, Jamaicans For Justice (JFJ) has called for a public inquiry into the controversial Bogue Land issue in the resort city.

“The Montego Bay chapter of Jamaicans For Justice feels that a public inquiry is particularly relevant at this time, having regard to the tough stance now being taken against squatters,” Dawn Paris, chairperson of the local chapter said in a release on Thursday.

Earlier this month, the government announced that it would be clamping down on squatting and illegal vending across the island and vowed to take a zero tolerance approach to such activities, as a part of its plan to restore order and discipline in the society. On Thursday, Paris pointed out that in light of the tough stance now being taken on squatting, the controversy surrounding the Montego Bay lands needed to be dealt with on a fair and equitable basis.

“If the government is going to take tough action against squatters, then we need to have a fair and just society because it is this inequality, we feel, that is partly to be blamed for the high criminal activity that we have now,” she argued.

She said justice and equality requires that Jamaicans should be treated equally and that there should be transparency, honesty and accountability within the various seats of Government including the St James Parish Council.

Last December, Local Government Minister Portia Simpson Miller appointed Dennis Morrison QC to lead an independent probe in the St James Parish Council-owned 10.5 acre property at Bogue. The probe was launched following allegations that the People’s National Party-controlled council had, over the years, leased the property to their relatives and friends.

In March, Minister Simpson-Miller tabled the findings of the probe in Parliament.

In his report, Morrison expressed the view that a proper conduct in the Bogue Lands issue “will require public hearing and taking of evidence”.