In a strategic move to counter criticisms and accelerate occupancy, the Jamaican Government has secured a pivotal agreement with 13 state agencies to establish operations at the $6-billion Morant Bay Urban Centre in St Thomas. This development marks a significant turnaround for the complex, which faced opposition claims of being incomplete and inaccessible nearly a year after its inauguration.
The signing ceremony, held Thursday at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development’s New Kingston conference room, featured commitments from agencies including the South East Regional Authority (SERHA), Tax Administration of Jamaica, National Water Commission, and HEART/NSTA Trust. Robert Montague, minister without portfolio, emphasized that state entities will occupy over 50% of the centre’s 88 units, creating a critical mass to attract private investment.
Montague articulated the government’s vision: ‘This creates jobs, investment opportunities, and educational prospects through potential HEART/NSTA training programs and tertiary institution expansion. The public sector’s presence signals viability to private enterprises concerned about customer traffic.’
FCJ Chairman Lyttleton ‘Tanny’ Shirley clarified that agencies are entering a ‘buildout phase’ requiring 2-4 months for interior development, including electrical installations, partitioning, and furniture placement. He defended last May’s ribbon-cutting as essential marketing strategy for the 500,000-square-foot facility, dismissing utility absence claims as ‘mythology’ exacerbated by hurricane-related delays to Jamaica Public Service Company and NWC timelines.
Despite current operations limited to a KFC outlet, Shirley projected multiple businesses would commence operations by month’s end pending JPS connections. Full occupancy is anticipated to generate over 3,000 jobs, transforming the centre into the largest modern urban investment in Jamaica’s history.