The $6-billion Morant Bay Urban Centre in St Thomas is more than 50 per cent complete, says Prime Minister, Andrew Holness.
“From what I have been told by the management of FCJ (Factories Corporation of Jamaica) and by China Harbour [Engineering Company Limited], our construction partner, the project will be at practical completion by September of this year,” he said during a recent tour of the facility.
Among the entities that will be occupying the town centre are the St Thomas Municipal Corporation, St. Thomas Parish Court and all other government agencies located in Morant Bay. Several private-sector entities, including banks, business process outsourcing (BPO) companies and quick-service businesses, will also take up space at the facility.
“Many households are going to benefit from the economic and social opportunities that will be curated right here in this 28-acre development… . The Government, in making the investment in developing this town, is creating a new economic engine that will power the development of St. Thomas.
We intend to replicate this model right across Jamaica,” Mr Holness said. The Prime Minister said St Thomas residents will also have access to increased education and training opportunities, as HEART/NSTA Trust and the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC) will have campuses in the urban centre.
“I want to thank all the lessees who have, even before these buildings are out of ground, they have committed to it… because they see the vision and they see how this will be a profitable and meaningful enterprise,” he noted. For his part, FCJ Chairman, Lyttleton Shirley, said that the Morant Bay Urban Centre is an example of sustainable development and growth for St. Thomas.
“Many had viewed St. Thomas as a forgotten parish and a major risk for investment. Now today, I’m pleased to see the progress being made on this development, which will serve as a blueprint for future urban developments. Already, we see this urban centre concept about to be replicated in Port Antonio, Portland, at the Boundbrook Urban Centre,” Mr Shirley said.
