The Jamaica Labour Party rejects as yet another example of PNP misinformation and deception a statement issued by the PNP which suggests that the Housing Ministry has an enforceable caveat lodged against the title to the Coopers Pen property in Trelawny.

The statement from the PNP alleges that the former PNP administration had put the caveat in place in 2012.

The statement from the PNP ignores the fact that subsequent to 2012, the Supreme Court in Jamaica has twice affirmed and reaffirmed by the Court of Appeal in 2016 the rights of a private developer as the lawful owner of the property.

In fact, the Court of Appeal in the Minister of Housing v New Falmouth Resorts Limited [2016] JMCA Civ 20 dismissed the appeal of the Minister of Housing under the PNP administration and upheld the Supreme Court’s decision that the government cannot compulsorily acquire private lands in order to transfer an interest to persons who are occupying without the permission of the lawful owner. In fact, the Court stated clearly that the Constitution protects private property, and does not provide cover for the acquisition of private property in order to regularise the unlawful occupation of squatters.

The Government has no legal nor factual basis to challenge the decision of the Courts regarding lands which are owned by private individuals.

The fact is the Government has no beneficial, equitable, or legal basis to enforce any caveat against lands which are privately owned.

The attempt by the PNP to make demands of the Prime Minister and link the Government to the land is yet another example of the PNP’s willingness to make untruthful statements to the public in a bid for political mileage.

The PNP is aware that its administration had lost its Court case, which involved the private developer, and all matters were fully ventilated and settled by the Court.