The government says it has been taking the necessary steps to address squatting on the National Water Commission, NWC, lands in Norbrook St.Andrew.

The government, through the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, has been pursuing legal options in response to the growing concern. 

A statement from the ministry notes that the NWC has not abandoned any of its properties and has served notices on people occupying the lands at Norbrook illegally. 

According to the ministry, the NWC has made several attempts to secure the property and has served eighteen eviction notices since 2009.

The ministry says squatting continues to be a perennial problem.

It is reported that the NWC has had meetings with the residents of Norbrook and political representatives on several occasions. 

The ministry explains that the NWC president as recently as May 31 this year, wrote to the Norbrook community group on steps being taken to address the issue.

The squatter settlement in Norbrook is approximately 520 acres; 420 acres are particularly sensitive watershed areas.

The ministry says 100 acres of the land are developable without significant environmental impact and the government will be examining the possibility of leveraging the value of this property for the benefit of the NWC.

The NWC is in dialogue with the National Land Agency and the Urban Development Corporation with a view of designing a comprehensive development plan for the area.