HAGUE, Trelawny — The Government has offered two options to families who have a November 30 deadline to leave lands in Cooper’s Pen which they are illegally occupying.

Member of Parliament for Trelawny Northern Tova Hamilton said the Government is now awaiting decisions from the residents on which of the two solutions they prefer, as preparations continue for the second phase of the relocation exercise.

Hamilton was speaking Tuesday afternoon during a tour of a 12-acre property in Hague and Clifton, which overlooks the sea and is owned by the Ministry of Housing.

She was accompanied by minister with responsibility for land titling and land settlement Robert Montague, Falmouth mayor, chairman of the Trelawny Municipal Corporation C Junior Gager, and members of the municipal corporation’s technical staff.

“At the last meeting, we provided the solutions to the community members, and we are now awaiting an indication of which solution they prefer,” Hamilton said.

Minister with responsibility for land titling and settlement Robert Montague (second right), Member of Parliament for Trelawny Northern Tova Hamilton (right), and Mayor of Falmouth C Junior Gager (third left) discuss plans at the parcel of land earmarked for the relocation of Cooper’s Pen residents. Sharing the moment are (from left) Trelawny Municipal Corporation Superintendent of Works Lavern Morris; Works Overseer Lamar Segre, and acting Deputy Superintendent of Roads and Works Durand Pingue.Photo: Horace Hines

For the first option, residents would receive a full relocation grant, which they could use to find alternative land elsewhere and make their own housing arrangements.

For the second, residents would be allocated a lot at the Hague and Clifton property, along with a partial relocation grant to assist with the move.

Hamilton said the ministry was hoping to receive an indication of residents’ preferences by the end of this week. Those who choose the Hague and Clifton option would then be able to visit the property and identify their lots.

She acknowledged that the November 30 deadline was fast approaching and that the site’s infrastructure would not be ready by then. However, she said the relocation grants would help residents during the transition.

“I’m hoping that the residents will work with us,” Hamilton said as she urged them to engage with the process.

Montague explained that the proposed relocation forms part of a wider integrated housing development intended to accommodate the Cooper’s Pen residents while reducing the cost of providing infrastructure.

Under the plan, the Housing Agency of Jamaica will undertake development towards the front of the property, with those lots being sold on the open market at commercial rates. Another section will be reserved for the relocation exercise, with slightly more than 100 lots being considered for that purpose.

Montague said the commercial component would help offset infrastructure costs and reduce the financial burden on taxpayers, while allowing the Government to address the housing needs of the affected residents.

He noted that although the lands occupied by the Cooper’s Pen residents do not belong to the Government, the State has a responsibility to work toward solutions for the Jamaicans living there, particularly given the presence of children in the community.

At the same time, he stressed that the Government had to respect the court order requiring the residents to leave by November 30.

Montague said the first phase of relocation had gone well and commended the residents who participated.

He added that Hamilton, the municipal corporation and the ministry had been meeting regularly with the community, and consultations were now under way for phase two.

Gager endorsed the project, describing the Hague and Clifton location as attractive and beneficial to the residents.

“I know persons don’t like to move from where they have been settled for quite a while, but we hope that they do understand the circumstances and what the Government, through the minister, is doing,” he said.

Gager pledged the municipal corporation’s support for the initiative, adding that the corporation remained willing to assist wherever possible as the relocation process advances.

The Government has provided relocation assistance to vulnerable residents displaced during the August 11 eviction exercise at Cooper’s Pen, distributing 19 humanitarian grants valued at $9.9 million to affected families.

Residents whose homes were not demolished have been given until November 30 to relocate.