September 3, 2026

Coopers Pen residents warned against unauthorized assessments following recent demolition

The Government is doubling down on its warning that only authorized persons are permitted-to conduct assessments to determine which individuals in Cooper’s Pen, Trelawny are legitimate, potential beneficiaries following the recent demolition exercise.

Authorized individuals are employees with valid identification cards from the Housing Ministry, the Labour and Social Security Ministry and the Social Development Commission (SDC).

The reminder follows reports that unauthorized individuals have been collecting names from people including individuals who suffered no property damage and do not reside in Cooper’s Pen, thereby raising their expectations of potentially benefiting from state resources.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness recently disclosed that the ministry of housing interviewed a number of people on the property while the Social Development Commission (SDC) is being brought in to assess households, families and vulnerable residents.

Additionally, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security is conducting assessments ; the information collected will be reviewed to determine who qualifies for assistance.

The Prime Minister has already warned that Government will not allow unscrupulous individuals to act under false pretenses to obtain benefits and defraud tax payers of state resources.