KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) is accelerating its efforts to acquire lands to facilitate the development of housing schemes and regularise informal settlements across Jamaica.

According to Vincent Haldane, senior director in the Land Administration Management Branch, the ministry plans to conduct surveys for over 800 lots in various schemes including Canaan Heights and Spicy Grove over the next two years.

“We’ll be looking to do over 800 lots in several schemes including Canaan Heights, and Bottom Pen. We will continue to generate more lots in Seaview, 200 in Spicy Grove, and in Oracabessa, St Mary, we are doing subdivision surveys for 70 lots. Apart from that, the acquisition of lands continues, so we hope to conclude the acquisitions at Bottom Pen and Sandy Park area in St Andrew,” Haldane said.

He noted that the branch’s principal function is to acquire lands and distribute titles to improve the living conditions of thousands of citizens.

“Jamaicans benefit in that we are responsible for engaging commissioned land surveyors to do subdivision surveys on the properties, enabling the legal department to apply for titles. Additionally, when beneficiaries receive titles, they can use it as security for loans, for further development of their lots, or the start up of new businesses,” he said.

Among the branch’s key achievements this year are the completion of subdivision surveys for Seaview Gardens Phase Two, facilitating the splintering of over 300 titles.

In Trelawny, surveys were also completed for Vanzie Lands, a large informal settlement, enabling over 200 residents to receive titles.

Additionally, 60 acres of land in Bottom Pen, St James have been acquired, where informal settlements cover about 100 acres.  The ministry said surveys for 90 lots in this area are now underway.