Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), Peter Knight, has dismissed as false, claims being circulated on social media in recent time that the Government is denying citizens access to public beaches locally.

"We are not aware of any plans by the Government of Jamaica to deny citizens access to Jamaica's beaches," declared Knight at a virtual press conference hosted by NEPA on Thursday to, among other things, update the country on environmental matters.

"To the contrary, the Government of Jamaica is on a strategic path to open up Jamaica's beaches," he stated.

There have been unsubstantiated claims made in recent times that the Government is seeking to bar residents from beaches, including the Bob Marley Beach in Bull Bay, St Andrew, and the beach at Little Dunn's River in Ocho Rios, St Ann.

Citizens have also argued that there access points to some beaches have been barred by tourism interests or hoteliers.

Knight said NEPA and other state agencies have always been advocating for residents to have access to beaches.

"We note, however, that in recent times, a fair amount of misinformation is being circulated on social media and otherwise that there is a plan and concerted effort being made to deny Jamaicans access to beaches," he stated.

"The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA) to the Beach Control Authority and NEPA have always taken action to preserve access for citizens," Knight suggested.

According to him, the...

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