KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a strategic move to address post-hurricane recovery challenges, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck has called upon justices of the peace (JPs) to assume an expanded role in land administration and titling processes. The initiative was launched during a virtual training session convened by the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on Thursday.
Minister Chuck emphasized the critical timing of these capacity-building sessions, noting that Hurricane Melissa’s widespread devastation months earlier had created urgent land-related complications. “As we reconstruct communities and restore livelihoods, clear and secure land ownership will be fundamental,” Chuck stated. He identified property titles, boundary demarcations, succession issues, and documentation gaps as particularly pressing concerns during rebuilding operations.
The Justice Minister highlighted the unique position JPs occupy as primary contacts for citizens requiring affidavits, statutory declarations, and document authentication services. Through coordinated efforts with the National Land Agency (NLA) and strict adherence to established protocols, JPs are expected to streamline procedures, mitigate fraudulent activities, and prevent documentation barriers from excluding vulnerable populations from recovery programs.
Echoing these sentiments, State Minister Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert reaffirmed that land titling constitutes a paramount national priority for the administration. She elaborated on the transformative potential of secure land tenure, explaining that legally recognized ownership not only provides familial security and legal safeguards but also enables economic advancement through investment opportunities, credit access, and intergenerational wealth building.
The state minister concurrently addressed systemic vulnerabilities, noting that persistent land disputes and fraudulent practices continue to undermine Jamaica’s land management framework. She urged JPs to enhance their expertise in land titling protocols to better educate and guide community members.
The sensitization session featured comprehensive technical guidance from the NLA, delivering practical methodologies and service delivery best practices designed to augment JP capabilities in land administration matters.