House sitting advances sectoral debate, land titling plans and marine pollution rules

The House of Representatives sat at Gordon House on June 9, 2026, continuing the sectoral debate while also handling public business, including new regulations aimed at preventing garbage pollution from ships.

Speaker Juliet Holness opened the sitting by welcoming members, media, students, teachers and other visitors. She noted recent participation by presiding officers from the Caribbean, Americas and Atlantic region at parliamentary meetings in Ottawa, Canada, held from May 19 to 22.

Robert Montague, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development with responsibility for land titling and settlements, used his presentation to outline Jamaica's land-registration challenges. He said the country has about 970,000 land parcels on the valuation roll, with 550,000 titled, and estimated that roughly 600,000 new titles are needed to fully address the national backlog.

Montague said the Government is pursuing training support from South Korea under a US$9 million project, digitising land processes, expanding public education, increasing adjudication committees and preparing for electronic titles by next September. He also warned that people newly occupying Crown lands after June 9 would not be considered for settlement programmes, and said those selling Crown lands would face prosecution.

He also addressed post-Hurricane Melissa housing support, saying the Government had ordered 2,524 containerised units, while China donated another 200. He said 1,424 units were already in Jamaica and that the National Housing Trust had bought 1,200, with a commitment to purchase 2,500.

Hanover Eastern MP Andrea Purkiss, making her maiden sectoral presentation, criticised the Government's tourism record. She raised concerns about hotel workers affected by Hurricane Melissa, tourism leakage, cruise arrivals, transport operators, vacation-club employment practices, small accommodation providers and local entertainers.

The House later suspended the sectoral debate and approved the Shipping Prevention of Garbage Pollution Regulations, 2026. Energy Minister Daryl Vaz said the rules give effect to Jamaica's obligations under MARPOL, regulate garbage discharge from ships and offshore platforms, and provide penalties for breaches. The House adjourned to June 10, with members also asked to attend a Standing Finance Committee meeting on the Bank of Jamaica report.