Montague sets zero-tolerance policy for new Crown land squatting

Minister responsible for land titling and settlements Robert Montague has warned that Jamaicans who newly occupy Crown lands will no longer be treated as candidates for government settlement programmes. Speaking in his Sectoral Debate contribution on June 9, Montague said the Government has adopted a zero-tolerance position while it continues work on a wider response to squatting across the country.

Montague said discussions have been held with Members of Parliament about squatting issues in their constituencies. He said persons already living on Crown lands would be handled separately, but anyone moving onto such lands from June 9 onward should expect consequences and will not be considered for regularisation under a settlement programme.

He also cautioned against buying informal or suspiciously cheap parcels of Government land. Montague said investigations could lead to prosecution for persons who sell Crown lands illegally, while buyers may lose the money they paid. He urged prospective purchasers to check with the National Land Agency before completing any land transaction, noting that land acquisition must follow a legal process.

The minister said drone work and special surveys have already helped the authorities identify what is currently located on Crown lands, making it easier to determine new encroachments.

Montague added that stakeholders are still reviewing connected issues, including whether the period for adverse possession of Crown land should be shortened. The Opposition People's National Party has pledged to cut the period for squatters seeking to regularise tenure on Crown lands from 60 years to 25 years.

He further warned the public that Members of Parliament, councillors, justices of the peace, influential community figures and area leaders have no authority to sell Government land, and he told scammers claiming political backing to stop.

Separately, Montague said the National Land Agency is moving to digitise its services and start issuing electronic titles by September 2027. He said the system should allow landowners, for a fee, to monitor their properties and receive alerts if someone applies to title their land. He urged owners to visit, fence, use, pay taxes on or sell their land rather than abandon it, and said the Government is examining whether adverse possession applications can be referred to local adjudication committees for input.