Holness Tells Cooper’s Pen Residents He Has No Power to Stop Evictions

TRELAWNY, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has told residents of Cooper’s Pen in Trelawny that he does not have the legal authority to allow them to remain on the land where their homes were demolished earlier this month.

Holness made the disclosure during a tour of the affected community on Friday, accompanied by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett and Trelawny Northern Member of Parliament Tova Hamilton.

Before touring the demolished area, the prime minister met with residents and told them he would speak with them again after assessing the situation on the ground.

He also indicated that he would outline possible solutions following the tour.

On August 11, approximately 20 houses in Cooper’s Pen were demolished, leaving about 20 families homeless and affecting roughly 40 families in total.

Since the demolitions, residents have staged two separate demonstrations, calling on Holness to intervene and provide assistance to those affected.

The residents are now awaiting details on what assistance, if any, the Government can provide as they seek alternative housing and other support.

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