Monique Hepburn, Staff Reporter
WESTERN BUREAU:
REPORTS HAVE reached The Gleaner that over twenty persons on Sunday descended on lands owned by the National Land Agency, in Montpelier, St. James with the intention of developing the lands for commercial use.
Member of Parliament for South St. James Derrick Kellier confirmed the reports of squatting in an interview with The Gleaner on Wednesday, but said persons had began moving onto the property some time ago. "The squatting started over a year ago and I have informed the Lands Department of the illegal activities, " Mr. Kellier said.
According to Mr. Kellier, the lands which are opposite the Montpelier petrol station have been earmarked by the government for commercial development.
He said the Lands Department has indicated to him that they intend to take action.
"They have informed me that they are in the process of preparing notices to remove the illegal occupants," Mr. Kellier said.
When contacted, Commissioner of Lands, Elizabeth Stair was unavailable. However, her representative, Jacqui Thomas said: "The Commis-sioner is not aware of it (squatting), but we are looking into it."
