Prime Minister Andrew Holness Land Administration JLPNP

Added: 2026-05-14

[00:00:00]Yes.

[00:00:01]Communities can establish tenure security.

[00:00:06]But, importantly, disputes decline, which helps quite a bit with the reduction in domestic violence, which is now featuring as as a significant component of overall violent crimes in the country as we reduce our murder rate.

[00:00:32]But, infrastructure planning is also improved.

[00:00:38]Environmental management becomes more precise, and housing delivery accelerates.

[00:00:48]All these are the benefits that will be generated from this project.

[00:00:58]So, a land title is more than a document. It is a platform for opportunity.

[00:01:04]And this project is about building that platform at scale.

[00:01:10]Across the world, public administration is being transformed by data, digital platforms, geospatial intelligence, automation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Jamaica must keep pace.

[00:01:25]We need public officers who are not merely users of imported systems, but skilled professionals capable of managing, adapting, protecting, improving, and eventually creating our own indigenous digital systems.

[00:01:44]And that is why the capacity building component matters. The project includes expert deployment, training, invitational programs in Korea, in community technical instruction, and support for student surveyors to become commissioned land surveyors.

[00:02:01]Commission surveyors will guide and supervise practical training.

[00:02:06]This addresses one of the sector's most pressing constraint.

[00:02:11]We need a deeper pool of trained professionals.

[00:02:19]Technology alone does not transform institutions.

[00:02:24]People do.

[00:02:27]When people have knowledge, discipline, systems, and leadership to use technology effectively, institutions change.

[00:02:38]And they change rapidly.

[00:02:42]And this project recognizes that. It combines infrastructure, equipment, technical support, training, and institutional development.

[00:02:54]The government recognizes its obligations under this partnership.

[00:03:00]We will provide the administrative support, project management, approvals, customs facilitation, and institutional coordination necessary for success.

[00:03:13]The National Land Agency will be central to this work, collaborating with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, and with our Korean partners to ensure real, effective delivery of all that we have promised.

[00:03:34]I want to commend the National Land Agency for its leadership.

[00:03:39]The NLA sits at the intersection of land, law, planning, technology, economic development, and public service.

[00:03:50]Its work is technical, but its impact is profoundly human.

[00:03:58]Every improvement in land administration means a farmer, a homeowner, a small business owner, a developer, a public agency, or a community can move forward with greater certainty.

[00:04:12]I also want to recognize the groundwork already done, the feasibility study 2025, engagement with KOICA and partners, the record of discussion, cabinet approvals, and the careful coordination required to transfer the Hanover Street property for public use.

[00:04:34]These unseen steps make the progress that we're seeing now visible.

[00:04:41]As we begin this project, keep the larger goal in sight.

[00:04:48]We are building a Jamaica where where land supports productivity, where public records support certainty, where technology supports service delivery, where government capacity supports national development.

[00:05:04]The administration the land administration capacity enhancement project aligns with our vision of a modern, efficient, digital, and development-oriented public sector.

[00:05:16]It supports inclusive growth. It supports investment. It supports resilience. It supports better planning.

[00:05:25]It supports formalization of assets and empowerment of citizens.

[00:05:31]Let this center become a place where knowledge is transferred, skills are sharpened, innovation is encouraged, and public officers are prepared for the next generation of land administration.

[00:05:47]Let it be a symbol of what partnership can achieve when it is practical, strategic, and focused on national transformation.

[00:05:57]On behalf of the government of Jamaica, I again thank KOICA and the Republic of Korea for this partnership. I thank the National Land Agency and all participating ministries, agencies, experts, and technical teams for their work and commitment.

[00:06:15]It is now my great pleasure to declare the Land Administration Capacity Enhancement Project officially launched.

[00:06:33]And at the same time, I take this opportunity, since I have the wrapped attention of this audience and those listening uh to this broadcast, to appeal to all Jamaicans.

[00:06:51]We are entering into a new phase of our development.

[00:06:59]We have over the last decade and a half greatly sacrificed to achieve fiscal stability.

[00:07:10]The next phase must now be robust, sustained economic growth.

[00:07:21]And as I said earlier in my presentation, one of the important pillars of the economic growth which we seek is proper land administration.

[00:07:34]Like the And when we say proper land administration, we want to be able to identify uniquely >> [clears throat] >> who owns the land.

[00:07:47]And we want to ensure that we know about the land. We have a cadaster.

[00:07:54]We want to ensure that people who want to use the land for productive purposes can get access to use the land for productive purposes.

[00:08:07]We want to ensure that land which is a natural asset can also become a financial asset by acting as collateral for financing.

[00:08:23]We want to ensure that we can make proper decisions about the land.

[00:08:30]The environmental features, the geospatial features.

[00:08:37]And all of this can only be done if there is a public administration that can do two things. One, systematically register land.

[00:08:54]And a few years ago, this administration went through the process of putting in the legal basis for systematic land registration.

[00:09:07]Uh this was done also with the support of all our Korean partners.

[00:09:13]The NHD provided financing to support the process. And it is done by the government declaring certain areas and putting in place all the requirements to have land properly registered, including dispute mechanisms. [clears throat] And that has gone well.

[00:09:43]Uh the objective was to do about 20,000 titles under this. We are heading there.

[00:09:49]We're We're almost there.

[00:09:53]But the traditional conventional process of ad hoc, as the minister pointed out, are voluntary.

[00:10:01]Where the average person who has a piece of land but has no title can come in to the NLA, bring all the documents that you have for the land, and apply for title.

[00:10:17]That has not moved as quickly as the systematic land registration. In fact, my estimate is that uh in the last 5 years, we would have registered more titles under the systematic registration, maybe three times as many titles under the systematic registration than under the ad hoc voluntary system.

[00:10:37]So, I want to appeal today to Jamaicans.

[00:10:41]Go and register the land that you are on. Go to the NLA's office.

[00:10:46]They're They're not quite ready yet, and I see Sherries, the CEO, um smiling and saying, "Why is the Prime Minister setting me up like this?"

[00:10:55]However, what I do know about bureaucracies, you have to challenge them.

[00:11:02]If you leave bureaucracies in their comfort zone, nothing gets done.

[00:11:09]That you said to So, I'm encouraging Jamaicans to Let me hear from the mayor over there.

[00:11:16]>> careful assessment of your land.

[00:11:22]Instructive in this presentation, uh which I'm I'm certain that it will be glossed over or probably missed, that an important part of South Korea's development strategy was to abandon this notion of the absentee landlord.

[00:11:42]Uh at our stage in in development Jamaica must protect absolutely property rights. Absolutely.

[00:11:52]But if we are to develop we cannot have land idle only for rent or for capital gains.

[00:12:04]That's not realized economic benefit.

[00:12:11]Minister understands what I'm saying.

[00:12:14]We have to realize the economic benefit of the land and you only realize it when you're reaping from it.

[00:12:24]You have a factory on it.

[00:12:26]You have developed housing on it.

[00:12:30]Or you have protected it for an environmental asset.

[00:12:35]So what we want to do and it's our stated policy is to accelerate the utilization of all our assets in Jamaica. We have too many assets that are underutilized.

[00:12:47]And one of the main assets for us is our land and before we can actually utilize the land fairly, transparently, and strategically, we need to know about the land. We need to have a register of it. We need to have all parcels of land titled.

[00:13:07]Titling the land, establishing ownership also reduces the issue of domestic violence.

[00:13:17]I call it domestic violence, but it's it's interfamily violence.

[00:13:24]Uh in Jamaica, I think people understand what I say quarrel over deadlift.

[00:13:31]So, so many things today tied up in what we're we're doing here, and I hope that I've been able to explain to the public why this is a major step.

[00:13:41]What what we will accomplish here from this is the augmentation of the systematic land titling and give more capacity to the ad hoc or voluntary land titling process by increasing the capabilities of the NLA by training the persons who can do the survey, by integrating technology to give greater efficiency, and by looking at the systems and making sure that they are all integrated.

[00:14:14]And that will build [clears throat] capacity, give us more horsepower to be able to increase at scale the registration. It is not impossible for Jamaica within the next decade or two to have every single parcel of land titled. And once you start to have titles and you know about every square inch of land, then we can have a proper system of addresses, which we know don't have.

[00:14:47]It becomes easier to sell and transfer land.

[00:14:52]We have a better system of estimating the value of land, and your land market, which supports your housing, construction, agriculture becomes more efficient.

[00:15:08]These are the things that governments do, that people who write their name in the poll book, >> [laughter] >> that people who write their name in the poll book don't necessarily give credit to the government when they go to cast their vote.

[00:15:30]But these are the things that we have to do nonetheless.

[00:15:33]God bless you and thank you.

[00:15:39]Thank you so much Prime Minister for those profound and forward-looking remarks, those positive statements as well. Thank you so much, sir.

[00:15:47]Now, ladies and gentlemen, we have now arrived at a defining moment in today's ceremony, the official signing of the Land Administration Capacity Enhancement Project Agreement. To facilitate the signing, I invite Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Arlene Williams, and NLA CEO, Mr. Horace Walcott, and Miss Suk Jing Byun of KOICA.

[00:16:12]While while this side, I want to take note of something what the PM said the same way.

[00:16:17]The PM said what they describe as the ad hoc registration as people walking into say me have a parcel of land and me want it to register.

[00:16:31]People are not going in.

[00:16:33]No. No, we we we we use Westmoreland as an example.

[00:16:40]Because I believe say in the entire Jamaica, Westmoreland probably have the least amount of registered land among any parishes. I I don't have numbers to back it up, but that's just I I don't have numbers to back it up, but that's just Listen to me. Me live with my family live on this land here for 30 years.

[00:17:10]What we can do?

[00:17:12]But again, again, majority of these people Not hearing. Everybody Anybody is not hearing me?

[00:17:26]Everybody is hearing me, right? Rickster said not hearing.

[00:17:32]Oh, Rickster probably never something wrong with my hearing.

[00:17:38]Right?

[00:17:40]But I would assume that people from Westmoreland would be flocking to have them piece of land register.

[00:17:46]Right? Because as as as as as the PM said, not now, but before, let's break it up.

[00:17:54]All right, sorry. May I go May I go turn off the Wi-Fi and make it make it run on the service and see if that better cuz I might not know why the Wi-Fi why my Wi-Fi unstable sometime.

[00:18:05]I can run it on the service and see if it better.

[00:18:08]Let it work on stand cuz I'm the right beside the modem. You know, the modem literally the right beside me.

[00:18:14]Let Let Let's see if it run better on that.

[00:18:18]We was Yes. So, that that is that is that is where we we need to check. The The government already tell most of the people and say, "Listen to me.

[00:18:28]Even if we are going to assist you now with building house, it can't build up people on land where you don't know who for own. It can't build up government land unstable. See, me still I get a unstable connection. I believe say that thing there cuz I might get a unstable connection warning.

[00:18:52]Me Me internet bad most of the time.

[00:18:55]Right?

[00:18:58]Your sound low. Then what they Me don't know Honestly, people, I don't know what is happening.

[00:19:05]I I I Me at Hold on. Let me see.

[00:19:09]Me I don't Bless up yourself, Lexi Right?

[00:19:14]But the issue is when when these things are announced, people have to start learning to take advantage of them.

[00:19:23]People have to start learning to take advantage of them. And that is why many people sit down and tell you say, "Boy, government not doing nothing for me. Our government not doing nothing to help me.

[00:19:33]Our government not doing this." When the truth and in fact, the service that you need is right there.

[00:19:41]You are just not paying attention and you are just not taking advantage of it.

[00:19:47]I I I tell this story many times, but every time me come here me have to tell it.

[00:19:55]In 2025, during the election campaign, I was talking to a young man. Not a young man, but young enough.

[00:20:04]Who was telling me say, "Boy, me not voting. Me not voting cuz government not doing nothing for me."

[00:20:10]So, me me say, "All right, fine. What is it you want the government to do that they are not doing?" He say, "Boy, me house him want. You know house him want for own." So, me say, "All right. So, you want to buy a house?" "Yes."

[00:20:24]"Are you working?" "Yes."

[00:20:26]"Have you ever visited the NHT to find out your your your your qualification?"

[00:20:31]"No."

[00:20:33]"Do you know that the NHT are give are give you up to 9 million to buy a house?" "No." "Did you know that if you don't if the 9 million can't help you, have a grant up up to 3.5 million to make up the money where you don't have to pay back?" "No."

[00:20:47]So, the the the message there is that the government is trying to give you a house, to buy you a house.

[00:20:57]You just don't know it.

[00:21:01]And and that is that is the issue with many. And and this is especially for the for the PMP supporters them who >> [clears throat] >> who live in our bubble who live in our vacuum of of just PMP propaganda who make the same people them we sit down and take out all of the benefit out of the system because them know better. I tell you say boy, no go try nothing in the kind of work, you know.

[00:21:33]The same people them and I use Mark Golding as example. Mark Golding and his company are are some massive investors in real estate right across the island.

[00:21:47]They they are making use of the economy that is being built while telling you the regular person say no no no no go on no try nothing.

[00:22:01]I know him alone whole heap of them are doing it.

[00:22:05]Whole heap of them sit down and lying collecting a salary to tell you say no try nothing.

[00:22:16]Boy, Keisha that just watch you know.

[00:22:19]Them sit down pon line every day and them collect them pay and what them I get pay for for tell you say boy, no no no no go on.

[00:22:27]I I saw I saw a press conference where where Delano Banton is explaining that the construction of house I go take up half of the money we are spend. What construction of house?

[00:22:41]When did it become government job for build back people house? For build back everybody house? I me no know. When did it? It wasn't after It wasn't after after after after Ivan.

[00:22:55]It wasn't after Dean.

[00:23:00]How is it now of a sudden?

[00:23:04]Government must what? Build back just build back house.

[00:23:11]Minister McKenzie say Minister McKenzie say PSC meetings and I soon go join them Kerry.

[00:23:18]Minister McKenzie say you have two persons that are still in a shelter in a Westmoreland still living in a shelter.

[00:23:30]And and this is why me want the government must release the name of the beneficiaries of the roof program.

[00:23:37]Publish them names so we know it.

[00:23:41]Two persons, same family, living in a shelter together.

[00:23:46]>> [clears throat] >> They have received over 1 million Jamaican dollars from the government.

[00:23:53]Not in loans, but in grants, giving away money. Both of them, same family, received over a million dollars.

[00:24:06]And are still living in a a shelter.

[00:24:13]When me tell the press conference let me get back. Let me make a mention to some more of the press conference. I soon come again. What we work very well together. Ambassador Sandra Grant Griffiths, for all your help we thank you.

[00:24:25]>> This is vote of thanks. The staff from the office of the Prime Minister and the >> miss the vote of thanks. Yes. But there's a two persons, same family, living in a shelter today.

[00:24:37]Together them received over a million dollars, but still that's why when me tell you know say the PNP behavior is a mindset.

[00:24:48]It is a mindset.

[00:24:56]And and and them have a member of parliament where where tell them >> The government need to start making these things public.

[00:25:22]The The The government has given the Westmoreland Parish Council millions of dollar to build out foundation so the container homes that are coming can put on. And I know they not do it yet.

[00:25:39]And they they are brazen enough they are brazen enough to still go up on platform go up on press conference go ask the government why why the people them not get pay.

[00:25:52]When them have the money for pay the people them.

[00:25:57]And not doing it.

[00:26:03]Hey, listen. I know some normal I know some normal people are the we are dealing with some brazen people, you know.

[00:26:09]Where if you don't know and if they know say you don't have the knowledge they are willing to take advantage. Those are the people me tell you now say yes, you have a few educated people who are running behind the PNP but it's not because it's not because them love the PNP because they realize the PNP supporters are so easy to manipulate.

[00:26:34]It is easier to manipulate them to play on their mindset.

[00:26:44]To tell them say listen to me, even though you get this money to help yourself. Hey, you don't have to do nothing, man. Just sit down. Go sit down and do what you going to do. And that is that somebody will tell you to say no man pull up yourself man.

[00:27:00]is easier for somebody to tell you because guess what? The PMP already have a predisposition to I I I I in calling my fellow Jamaicans that you know.

[00:27:19]But it's the reality.

[00:27:21]It is the reality.

[00:27:27]One million dollar the same family. I I I I I am willing to bet my left hand if they say if you find two labor right somebody in the same family and you give them that million dollar them not in a shelter today. Them are going to try building if I even want hot.

[00:27:48]Them are going to try build.

[00:27:52]And that's why I am going to tell you say it's the might it's a mindset.

[00:27:57]It is a mindset. Your mind have to slow your mind have to dirty. You have to dance to be a PMP supporter.

[00:28:12]Yes, and people are going to say boy people could people tell me all the while Well, never bank on PMP. Those.

[00:28:26]Never bank on PMP.

[00:28:34]Through we work we still maintain a couple seats on them.

[00:28:42]But the ones them what we not maintain we turn them into Right? We turn them into marginal and and and and that that is some credit.

[00:28:57]But you can't have people sit down then get the benefits and then still all right for the government back and they are possibly the most vocal in these places.

[00:29:17]They are possibly the most vocal.

[00:29:21]No problem, Milo. No problem.

[00:29:25]No problem, Milo.

[00:29:31]Yeah, no problem, sir. If you that that is your choice, that's why we have freedom of choice in this side.

[00:29:36]And I will never tell you not to be PNP all the way. I will never tell you that.

[00:29:40]That's your choice. But again, again, I make the statement. Bring you up. If you want to send me a request, me not bring you up.

[00:29:50]Because I send a request and come on and let me hear your problem. Let me hear your goals.

[00:29:56]I have no problem listening to your goals, you know, sir.

[00:29:58]You said PNP all the way.

[00:30:10]No, I don't know why, sir. You have to tell me.

[00:30:22]Mhm.

[00:30:31]Milo, you have to work for people out of Clarendon. You have to You have to tell me. You have to tell me.

[00:30:40]Good afternoon, sir.

[00:30:42]>> Good afternoon, sir.

[00:30:47]Well, do me a favor. Do me a favor. Me not see you. Um, just just make it me not see you. Me not You know You know You know You like you not come up. Hold on. Let me see.

[00:30:59]Me ask you but me not see it. Me not see it. Me not see it.

[00:31:05]All right. What What All right. May I hear you say so. Go on. May I hear you.

[00:31:20]Who?

[00:31:23]What I mean done could I get your vote?

[00:31:24]Okay.

[00:31:28]Mhm.

[00:31:32]All right. Um, all right. What I What I What I mean the people them say them not hearing you. What I say What I know?

[00:31:39]Them say them not hearing you. I just me alone I hearing you. So, just say if you can exit and then send back the request.

[00:31:47]Cuz me can't see you from here so just exit and then send back the request.

[00:31:58]Eh.

[00:32:03]Get material and sell the box over. I I agree.

[00:32:07]>> [snorts] >> All right. Send back the request. Let me see Let me see if it better now.

[00:32:20]Um, may I hear but me still not seeing you.

[00:32:24]Everybody not hearing now?

[00:32:31]Yeah, man. May I hear you now. May I hear you.

[00:32:33]But me don't know if the people them I hear. No, them not hearing you.

[00:32:37]What the hell is going All right. Don't don't don't move. Don't move. I don't know. I'll figure it out.

[00:32:47]Let me figure it out. Something is going on with this thing here today.

[00:32:54]All right. All right, guys. This Guys, let me out of here. Let me go Let me go Let me go restart the live.

[00:33:00]Just join me back right away cuz we can't we can't see what I'm in right now.