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LINSTEAD, JAMAICA — Consumers at the bustling Linstead market are experiencing a period of relative price stability this week, with the cost of most staple food items holding firm compared to the previous weekend. A survey of the market reveals a steady pricing pattern for a core group of vegetables, offering a semblance of predictability for household budgets.

Key produce such as tomatoes, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, and ginger have all maintained their previous price points, selling for $400, $300, $300, $200, and $300 per pound, respectively. This consistency provides a stable foundation for the market’s economic activity.

In a welcome development for shoppers, the prices of Scotch bonnet pepper and lettuce have undergone a significant reduction, now available at $300 each. This price drop is likely to increase their accessibility and demand.

Furthermore, the agricultural sector is showing promising signs of recovery in the wake of Hurricane Melissa’s devastation. The egg supply chain, which was severely disrupted, is now demonstrating a steady improvement. Nekeisha Graham of Niki’s Yolk, an egg farmer, confirmed the ongoing progress while acknowledging that a shortage persists. “The shortage is still there, but [supplies] are coming back slowly,” Graham stated during a feature on the digital segment ‘Market Bag’ with host Carlysia Ramdeen on Observer Online. This gradual return to normalcy marks a positive turn for producers and consumers alike.

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.