The government is denying reports that agricultural lands in Innswood, St. Catherine have been sold to developers to be used for housing development.

This, after the opposition called for full disclosure on the alleged sale and re-purposing of the lands in question.

In a release today (September 5), the Office of the Prime Minister said Cabinet received a preliminary briefing from Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited, and the National Environment and Planning Agency, NEPA, today, on the lands.

It noted that there has been no sale of the Innswood lands and the government has not made any decision, to sell the lands in question.

The OPM said Model Agricultural Production Limited, which is a company associated with Michael Lee-Chin is in possession of a lease for the lands, a portion of which is currently being utilized for agricultural production.

The government noted that other entities associated with Mr. Lee Chin have expressed an interest in purchasing a portion of the lands and have advised that they wish to use those portions of land for housing.

It said the conditions of the lease restrict the use of the lands for agricultural purposes only.

The OPM said the government is extremely sensitive, to competing demands for scarce land resources for housing and agriculture.

It said while government is committed to building out affordable housing for the Jamaican people, this will not be at the expense of agriculture.