PNP launches land ownership commission
THE Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has established a National Land Ownership Commission, which it says will make itself available to assist Jamaicans in obtaining registered titles for their properties.
The commission, the PNP said, will be undertaking a full review of the existing land titling system and land occupancy mechanisms, and to recommend strategies to give effect to a radical, cost effective and timely land ownership programme in Jamaica. This, it said, would create an ownership society whereby all Jamaicans can obtain registered titles to their properties.
Speaking yesterday at a press conference at the Office of the Leader of the Opposition in Kingston, PNP President Dr Peter Phillips pointed out that too many Jamaicans remain outside of land ownership through no direct fault of their own.
“When slavery ended, the farmers were compensated but the slaves were not and no framework was put in place to have them own the land on which they had worked. This is a blot on history and the commission will, through its mandate, seek to correct that blot,” Dr Phillips told reporters.
The commission, which will be led by attorney Norman Minott, has been asked to recommend strategies that could reduce the period for and enhance, expedite and simplify the process of land titling in Jamaica.
It was mandated to use the best methodology or systems to effect a broad-scale review of the National Land Titling Programme; examine all existing legislation which impact directly and indirectly on land; and to recommend a legislative framework which gives effect to certainty of ownership.
Dr Phillips, the Opposition leader, said the commission will develop a comprehensive document on the actions and steps to be undertaken to overhaul, support and enhance the existing national land registration programme.
“They will be tasked to examine and propose a mechanism to address the issues of generational land that are without titles, land settlements and unregistered land, as well as government/Crown land usage. There are over 100 pieces of legislation that deal with land on our books and the committee must examine and make recommendations in this regard,” Dr Phillips told reporters.
Other members of the Minott-led body are Senator Sophia Frazer Binns, Timothy Thwaites, Lisa Campbell, Stacey Knight, and Michael Vascianna.
