Cousins pushes PNP plan for 'largest transfer of wealth' through land ownership reform

Opposition lawmaker Lothan Cousins says a future People's National Party (PNP) government will undertake the “largest transfer of wealth from the State to the people in modern Jamaican history” by unlocking access to government-owned lands.

“This is not charity, it is justice,” Cousins declared during his 2025 Sectoral Debate presentation in Parliament on Monday, where he touted a "people-first” plan aimed at regularising informal settlements and promoting economic independence.

Under the proposal, persons who have lived on government-owned land for decades would be allowed to purchase their lots at affordable rates, giving them legal tenure and the security to build stable lives.

“We are not giving away land,” said Cousins. “But if you’ve lived on government land for decades, you deserve a path to ownership. That’s how we build pride, progress, and independence, not just for individuals, but for the nation.”

Cousins said the initiative draws inspiration from Dominica's land regularisation programme and would represent a win-win: empowering the landless, restoring trust in the State, and generating government revenue through formal leasing and land sales.

The MP for Clarendon South Western noted that the plan would be implemented through consultation and flexibility, with relocation used where needed to preserve environmental safety and sustainability.

As part of a broader push for affordability, Cousins reiterated the PNP’s proposal to remove the cost of land from National Housing Trust (NHT) unit prices under a future PNP government. He said this would reduce the price of housing units by $2.5 to $3 million, making homeownership more accessible to young people, teachers, nurses, public servants, persons with disabilities, and low-income earners.

“When we remove the land cost, we bring homeownership within reach for the people who need it most. That’s people-first governance,” he said.

Cousins also called for an overhaul of the Registration of Titles Act, which currently requires 60 years of continuous occupation to claim Crown land. He labelled that threshold “unworkable” and proposed reducing it to 25 years, except for foreshore lands.

"In the United Kingdom, the period has been reduced to 10 years. We propose reducing Jamaica’s requirement to 25 years, with the exception of foreshore lands. That’s more than enough time for the State to act responsibly,” he added.

He also pointed out that many residents in these informal communities already receive public utilities like roads, water and electricity, making legal recognition the final step.

“We’ve connected the utilities. We’ve paved the roads. It’s time we finish the job and give people the legal recognition they deserve,” Cousins said.

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