The People’s National Party is calling on Prime Minister Andrew Holness, in his capacity as Minister with responsibility for housing, to publicly confirm that a caveat lodged against the title to the Coopers Pen property by the then Minister of Housing in May 2012 remains in place, and to provide clarity on whether or not any party local or overseas has made a request for withdrawal of that caveat following the demolition of approximately 20 homes that has left more than 40 residents without shelter.

The Titles Office records show that Caveat No. 1759455 was lodged on the property on 1 May 2012 by the Minister of Housing under the People’s National Party administration led by the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, recording the Ministry’s equitable interest in the land. The caveat remains on the certificate of title, meaning the title for the property cannot lawfully be dealt with without the consent of the sitting Minister of Housing, a role now held by Prime Minister Holness.

“The Prime Minister cannot claim distance from this tragedy when his own Ministry holds a recorded interest in this very land,” said Dennis Meadows, PNP Constituency Chairman for Northern Trelawny. “The existence of this caveat is a significant legal tool to be utilised in the interests of the residents, as it restricts the registered owner from any dealing with the title for the property without the express permission of the caveator. Families are sleeping under tents while the Prime Minister stays silent. We are calling on him to state, clearly and publicly, that this caveat will be enforced, and to outline exactly what his Government intends to do to shelter and resettle these Jamaicans.”

Mr Meadows said the party is demanding immediate emergency shelter, a clear resettlement timeline, full public disclosure of the Government’s role, and that the Administration invoke the Local Improvements (Community Amenities) Act to protect and regularise the rights of the current occupants.

The PNP reaffirms its commitment to protecting vulnerable Jamaicans from arbitrary displacement.