Government to acquire land in St Thomas

Cabinet has given approval for the compulsory acquisition of 132.8 hectares of land part of Windsor Forest, Llandewey, St Thomas under the Land Acquisition Act.

The Government will be forking out $13 million to provide security of tenure for the existing small farmers on the property.

The property, which is owned by Sedalco Investment Limited, was first leased to the Commissioner of Lands in February 1975. It was subsequently divided into 90 lots and sublet to small farmers under the Project Land Lease Programme.

A ministry paper tabled in parliament reveals that there have been several attempts by the Government to purchase the property dating back to 1987.

"In January 2015, it was reported that 44 of the original lessees and/or their relatives still occupy the land. The acquisition of the property is currently being pursued to provide security of the tenure of the small farmers and ensure that they are not dislocated after so many years of occupancy," the ministry paper said.