PM: Gov’t will not abandon Black River despite plans to relocate critical infrastructure to safer area

October 31, 2026

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the Government will not abandon the historic town of Black River in St. Elizabeth, despite plans to relocate critical infrastructure, including the hospital, to a safer, nearby location.

The Urban Development Corporation (UDC) has been tasked with identifying a suitable site for the relocation exercise.

Dr. Holness was speaking at the reopening of the Black River Hospital, one year after Hurricane Melissa caused extensive damage to the facility and several other buildings in the town.

He pointed to Black River’s vulnerability to flooding, warning that a storm surge of just one metre could inundate almost the entire town.

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Dr. Holness said a development plan for Black River will be completed soon, while lamenting the delay due to bureaucracy.

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He said once the development plan is completed, the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) will carry out the necessary consultations prior to any relocation exercise.