Sigismond Leckie, a beneficiary of lands in the Charlttenburg Land Settlement Scheme in St. Mary, receives his certificate of title from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Land and Environment Seymour Mullings. The occasion was a ceremony for the handing over of more than 21 certificates of title and 79 notices of allotment to beneficiaries of land settlement schemes in South Eastern St. Mary. - ContributedJUST ABOUT 100 people in the banana parish of St. Mary have received certificates of title and notices of allotment by Minister of Land and Environment, Seymour Mullings.
The presentations were made at the St. Mary Banana Estate Sports Club over a week ago.
The settlers have occupied lands in the Sue River, Orange River and Gray's Inn areas of St. Mary for many years.
A release from the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) said the handing over of the documents was in keeping with Government's policy of empowering the Jamaican people through land distribution. The documents will also give them security of tenure.
In his address, Mr. Mullings said the Government was in the process of putting measures in place to ensure that those being provided with Government lands are given notices of allotment as early as possible. This, he said, should shorten the period during which registered titles are provided.
Mr. Mullings, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the period between the issuing of notices of allotment and the provision of registered titles was far too long and that many beneficiaries died before receiving their titles.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the land productively, and encouraged them to engage in agricultural ventures.
