More than 300 land titles were handed over to residents of the Clifton community in St. Catherine on Tuesday (July 30) under the Community Regularisation Programme.

Under the programme, Clifton is being transformed from being a squatter area to residents becoming land owners.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who was speaking at the title-handing-over ceremony, told the residents to consider the titles received as economic empowerment.

“The tile is more than just your certificate of ownership. The title says that I have the ability to use this property to acquire and advance myself economically. So I can use this to acquire more property, whether I want to borrow against it, or use it as an asset for something else, or convert it by selling it and buying something else. I have economic power by having this title, Holness explained.

The Prime Minister also committed to implementing proper infrastructure in Clifton, which he said will ensure that residents will receive the highest value of their property.

“We have an obligation as a state to ensure that you can get the highest value out of your property. As I stand here today, commit to assisting and not just to assist, we have already started a process to see to the implementation of proper infrastructure for the residents of Clifton,” he said.

Residents have also pledged to contribute J$50,000 each towards the infrastructure fund of the community.

Additionally, Holness noted that the government has allocated J$15 billion in the budget towards the regularisation of some inner-city communities, including Clifton.

The prime minister urged residents to prepare for the infrastructural change to the community in a spirit of cooperation.