WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has strongly condemned what he calls “mischievous and malicious” misinformation concentrating on his administration’s New Social Housing Programme (NSHP). Holness dismissed latest claims circulating on social media suggesting that beneficiaries’ kinfolk can be unable to inherit the properties upon their passing, with possession as a substitute reverting to the federal government.
Talking on the handing over of a social housing unit in Porters Mountain, Westmoreland, on Friday, Holness described the viral publish as “despicable” and accused its creators of trying to undermine a programme designed to uplift susceptible Jamaicans.
Political Assaults and Misinformation
In response to Holness, the assaults on the NSHP are a part of a broader political effort to discredit authorities initiatives.
“They’re making an attempt to tear down this programme for political achieve,” Holness asserted. “Even people who find themselves well-read and educated, however blinded by bias, accepted the misinformation with out verifying it.”
The Prime Minister warned that such falsehoods erode belief in governance and mislead the general public. He emphasised that the NSHP was structured to supply reputable homeownership, in contrast to earlier initiatives, such because the 1994 Folks’s Nationwide Occasion-led Operation Pleasure, which he labeled an “unmitigated catastrophe” affected by corruption and poor planning.
Challenges with the NSHP
Regardless of Holness’s protection of the programme, some beneficiaries have raised issues about challenge delays. Reviews point out that disputes with contractors have stalled a number of housing items. Others declare they’re barred from transferring in till an official ribbon-cutting ceremony is carried out by the Prime Minister.
Moreover, a latest Auditor Common’s report questioned whether or not the NSHP overlaps with different authorities housing initiatives, resulting in inefficiencies in useful resource allocation.
Authorities Responds to Possession Claims
The Ministry of Financial Progress and Job Creation (MEGJC) has rejected claims that NSHP properties should not totally owned by beneficiaries.
In a press release launched earlier this week, the ministry clarified that each one recipients both personal the land, maintain a long-term lease, or have authorized permission to reside on the property.
“Opposite to the misinformation circulating, the housing items offered beneath the NSHP are totally owned by the beneficiaries, not the Authorities of Jamaica,” the assertion learn.
Holness urged Jamaicans to be vigilant in opposition to misinformation and to fastidiously consider the credibility of knowledge earlier than accepting it as truth.
“Don’t permit the evil folks to win the battle for the thoughts,” he warned.
