A new era has begun for the parish of St. Thomas with the inauguration of the $6 billion Morant Bay Urban Centre on Thursday, May 15, by Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness. This facility will serve as a central hub for businesses and government services, aiming to drive economic growth and transform St. Thomas, a region once considered the "forgotten parish."
"St. Thomas, I have not forgotten you," Dr. Holness told the diverse crowd gathered for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "Today, we officially close the chapter on decades of underdevelopment. Today, we boldly declare that St. Thomas is on a clear path toward realizing its true potential," he stated, highlighting that this moment coincides with the 160th anniversary of the Morant Bay rebellion of 1865.
The Prime Minister informed the residents that their parish is now at the forefront of new developments in Jamaica, with the Morant Bay Urban Centre serving as a model for similar projects in other areas. He expressed his gratitude to the residents for their patience throughout the process, which began in 2017, saw groundbreaking in 2019, and culminated in today's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The Morant Bay Urban Centre, located on approximately 436,000 square feet of land where the old Goodyear Factory once operated, is the first facility of its kind in the country to combine public and private-sector services into a single commercial hub.
One by one, clients who will occupy the space received their keys, and they will enjoy three months of rent-free time to customize their units to their liking.
During this time, the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC), will also finalize landscaping and road construction while addressing any identified issues.
The grand ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday was attended by several Cabinet members, Members of Parliament, dignitaries, agency heads, business representatives, residents, and friends of the parish.
Despite intermittent mid-afternoon showers, the significance of the event shone through, and a sense of pride filled the air as each speaker highlighted the project's potential to transform the eastern parish.
Dr. Michelle Charles, the Member of Parliament for St. Thomas Eastern, who invited former MP Dr. Fenton Ferguson to the stage, proclaimed the Urban Centre as “more than infrastructure; this is impact.”
James Robertson, the Member of Parliament for St. Thomas Western, remarked, “We have waited 160 years since Paul Bogle advocated for our cause. I want to commend the Prime Minister and the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) for the remarkable work accomplished today. You have transformed the East, and we are grateful.”
Lyttleton Shirley, chairman of the FCJ, added, “Today, we are not just cutting a ribbon. We are paving the way for the future of the people of St. Thomas, for the nation of Jamaica, and for generations to come.”
He remarked that the Morant Bay Urban Centre serves as “a testament to what we can achieve as a country when leadership, collaboration, and determination take center stage.” Mr. Shirley praised the development as a “true manifestation” of Prime Minister Holness’ vision to decentralize growth and enhance every parish.
Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, also extended greetings, noting that the St. Thomas Municipal Corporation now occupies a prominent, stand-alone building within the facility. Additionally, Minister of Justice Hon. Delroy Chuck addressed the audience, highlighting that a modern court facility under his ministry is one of the key features of this significant center.
The Morant Bay Urban Centre will host several clients, including Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), the Passport, Immunization, and Citizenship Agency (PICA), Juici Patties, the National Housing Trust (NHT), the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), the Department of Correctional Services, Devon House, Express Fitness, Ribbiz Ultra Lounge, Phidd’s Furniture and Appliances, Sterling Bakery, and many others.
In the second phase of the project, two additional blocks will be constructed: a medical complex and extra space to accommodate more government agencies.
The Morant Bay Urban Centre project is a collaboration between the FCJ, CHEC, and the National Commercial Bank.
