Opposition Member Reportedly Unlawfully Occupying Govt Land

The growing controversy surrounding government lands continues with Prime Minister, Andrew Holness making statements about an Opposition member improperly occupying lands.

 “They have persons there who are presently occupying government land without paying rent or any form of remedies… They’re not paying utility bills and have been asked to do so but have not… They have no documentation, they conduct business there and they are using the government’s electricity, while the government is paying for it.”, he said while addressing party supporters at a JLP Area Council One meeting.

Another point that the PM made, “We are seeing many of them from the pot. So, we will like them drip, drip, drip, drip because we may have a little tank. They have a reservoir. So, I am here today to tell the country that we will defend the good government that we have executed. Where we have flaws or defects we will remedy them. We will improve upon them, no one is perfect”

His statement comes just days after he reassigned Former Minister with Responsibility for Agriculture, J.C Hutchinson to his office – and announced that the government would be probing all land occupying activities at the Holland Estates in St Elizabeth.

To this, the People’s National Party has responded, demanding the Prime Minister to apologize, claiming that he was given information on the Fontabelle Estate in the parish of Westmoreland. And that they have done extensive consultations with its members of the House of Representatives and Mr. Victor Wright, the Member of Parliament for North Trelawny is the only PNP MP who currently occupies government-owned land. 

The PNP added that in September 2011, Mr. Wright exercised his option to purchase, and arrangements are in place to conclude the transaction.