policy

Jamaican churches are often called the country’s second-largest landowner after government, but no public register confirms it. What an honest audit, rather than seizure, could actually reveal.

Jamaicans can legally access less than 1 percent of their own 494-mile coastline under a 1956 law. Even the hotel industry now backs reform, but a new 2026 policy still stops short of guaranteeing the right.

Before the eviction dispute reached court, NRCA had already offered Jacob Taylor Beach vendors a partial deal: return once the beach is upgraded and share the space with local fisherfolk, under tighter regulatory control.

After the Coopers Pen demolitions, Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship president Helene Coley Nicholson urged a non-partisan national land policy, emergency help for displaced families, and an end to politicians enabling squatting for partisan gain.

After the Coopers Pen demolitions, Lawyers’ Christian Fellowship president Helene Coley Nicholson urged a non-partisan national land policy, emergency help for displaced families, and an end to politicians enabling squatting for partisan gain.

Jamaica issued its first casino gaming licence to the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Hanover, a move already drawing interest from at least three other investors, including for a proposed Hard Rock Hotel.

Jamaica issued its first casino gaming licence to the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Hanover, a move already drawing interest from at least three other investors, including for a proposed Hard Rock Hotel.

Jamaica issued its first casino gaming licence to the Princess Grand Jamaica Resort in Hanover, a move already drawing interest from at least three other investors, including for a proposed Hard Rock Hotel.

Jamaica opened a new cannabis regulator headquarters as a milestone moment. A farmer group used the same ceremony to say police raids on legally registered growers haven’t stopped.

Land titles arent just paperwork, the Prime Minister says. Jamaicas long push to formalise informal settlements is being framed as a direct tool against generational poverty.

Land titles arent just paperwork, the Prime Minister says. Jamaicas long push to formalise informal settlements is being framed as a direct tool against generational poverty.

Land titles arent just paperwork, the Prime Minister says. Jamaicas long push to formalise informal settlements is being framed as a direct tool against generational poverty.

Land minister Robert Montague announced a revolving fund to pay surveyor fees for landholders with two acres or less, and said his ministry has trained church lawyers so that church-owned schools, clinics and playing fields can eventually be titled.

Pastor Dr Donville Bell said churches that opened their buildings as shelters during Hurricane Melissa need state funding and formal inclusion in disaster plans, arguing ‘it takes cash to care’.

Hurricane Melissa forced Jamaica’s first major building code rewrite since 1908. The legislation was rarely the weak point, enforcement was.