The Advocates Network (AN) is urging both the Government and Opposition to create a land reform policy amid recent demolitions at Bernard Lodge in St Catherine.

Last week Wednesday (October 5), Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced and approved the demolition of illegal settlements at Bernard Lodge, stationed on agricultural land.

Since then, there has been an outcry from illegal settlers and the public against the actions, with some noting that millions were lost in the process.

“These vexing issues of landlessness, squatting, demolition of homes and homelessness, as seen in Clifton, are among the major unresolved legacies of slavery that have persisted for far too long,” said the AN in a press release today (October 13).

The AN also noted that the existing 1996 land policy does not address the historical problem of landlessness in Jamaica and that it believes a new policy should be created.

“The AN challenges both the current administration and the parliamentary opposition to share with the public an appropriate land reform policy; one that will act as the centerpiece for productivity growth, and will empower the majority of Jamaicans through land ownership, given our painful history of landlessness since Emancipation.”

AN noted that it was against squatting but believes the demolitions highlight the need for a National Urban Upgrading Programme under the National Housing Trust (NHT), restoring the core values of the government organisation.

Holness approach troubling

Another area of concern highlight by the AN was the hands on approach taken by Prime Minister Holness.

Usually demolitions are carried out by the relevant authorities but instead the demolitions at Bernard Lodge were carried out by Holness.

They noted that the demolitions were “done at the highest level of Executive leadership, which is truly troubling, since there is no effective oversight or constraint of executive action by the people’s representatives in Parliament”.

This means there is no higher authority that the settlers can appeal to, unless the matter is brought to court.

Food security concerns

The Greater Bernard Lodge Development Plan will create an integrated community of 5,400 acres of land, of which 3,027 acres are dedicated to agriculture.

According to the AN, at Clifton, 15,000 homes will be built on acres of fertile agricultural land.

“This move contradicts the need for Jamaica to begin to place greater priority on food security – a rising global issue,” said the AN.

The AN is therefore urging the Government to “pursue sustainable policies, including a comprehensive land reform policy, that will enable Jamaica to achieve our 2030 Vision”.