Kingston, Jamaica: Minister with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, MP, has concluded a strategic working visit to Peru, aimed at examining their internationally recognized reconstruction model and identifying lessons to support Jamaica’s own recovery and long-term infrastructure development. The visit comes at a critical time as Jamaica continues its recovery efforts following Hurricane Melissa, with a growing focus on strengthening resilience and delivering climate-smart infrastructure.

The visit was facilitated by the UK Government, which played a key role in enabling UK infrastructure expertise to enhance the speed, transparency and effectiveness of major infrastructure projects in Peru.

Peru’s reconstruction programme was initiated in response to the devastating 2017 El Niño Costero disaster, which impacted more than 1.5 million people and caused widespread damage to critical infrastructure. In the years that followed, Peru established a dedicated reconstruction authority, later transitioning to the National Infrastructure Authority (ANIN), now central to delivering large-scale infrastructure projects across the country.

Minister Morgan said the visit provided valuable insights as Jamaica continues to refine its approach to reconstruction.
“Peru’s experience makes it clear that reconstruction cannot be approached as a series of disconnected projects. It must be treated as a national programme, supported by strong institutions, clear governance, modern procurement systems, and a firm commitment to resilience,” he said.

A Government-to-Government partnership with the United Kingdom has been instrumental in Peru’s success. Through this collaboration, UK expertise supported the accelerated delivery of key infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, health centres, flood protection systems, and early warning mechanisms, while also strengthening procurement systems, enhancing transparency, and building long-term institutional capacity.UK experts worked alongside Peruvian counterparts to deliver complex projects at pace, while maintaining a strong focus on climate resilience, quality standards, and competitive procurement processes.

British High Commissioner to Jamaica, Alicia Herbert, noted:
“I’m delighted that the UK facilitated this visit. The UK’s partnership with Peru demonstrates how high-quality, climate-resilient infrastructure can be delivered efficiently and at scale when supported by strong governance and transparent systems. We are proud of the role the UK has played in Peru’s reconstruction and remain committed to supporting Jamaica as it transitions from recovery to resilient rebuilding following Hurricane Melissa.”

During the visit, the UK enabled a series of technical briefings, workshops, and site visits for the Jamaican delegation, providing first-hand insight into Peru’s reconstruction journey and its relevance to Jamaica’s context. The programme included visits to major infrastructure projects in Lima, including a school development and the Huaycoloro gully works, alongside engagements with technical partners on governance, procurement, project controls, stakeholder engagement, and long-term planning.

Data shared during the visit highlighted the scale and impact of Peru’s reconstruction efforts. Across the programme, 153 projects have been undertaken, with 84 facilities already completed and in use, and 28 currently underway. These include 71 schools, five healthcare centres, four hospitals, flood protection systems, and early warning infrastructure- benefiting approximately 1.4 million people.

Notably, projects delivered through the UK-supported delivery model were completed significantly faster than comparable projects elsewhere in Peru, while maintaining higher standards. Schools were delivered in an average of 2.5 years compared to five years, while healthcare facilities were completed in 2.9 years compared to 7.3 years.

Minister Morgan emphasized that the visit reinforced the importance of building long-term institutional capacity alongside physical infrastructure.
“What stood out is that Peru did not simply rebuild what was lost. It focused on building back better, faster, and in a way that strengthened its institutions. The transition to ANIN as a permanent delivery body is a powerful example of how reconstruction can leave a lasting legacy of improved state capacity,” he said.

He added that key lessons for Jamaica include strengthening programme management, prioritising projects early, integrating climate-resilient design, improving coordination across agencies, engaging communities, and ensuring that operations and maintenance are embedded from the outset.

“This visit was about understanding, from real-world experience, what enables delivery and what creates delays. Jamaica must rebuild in a way that is smarter, stronger, and more resilient. The insights gained through this engagement will play an important role in shaping that path forward,” Minister Morgan said.

This is a joint press release between the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development and the British High Commission.

A transformative infrastructure project at 85 and 85½ Red Hills Road, significantly improving living conditions and supporting sustainable community development, is nearing completion.

Minister with responsibility for Land Titling and Settlements in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development (MEGID), Hon. Robert Montague, alongside Member of Parliament for St. Andrew North Central, Hon. Delano Seiveright, toured the site yesterday (March 31, 2026), and met with the residents.

“It is a project that has been long in gestation. but based on where we are now, by the end of April we should see a completion”, Minister Montague said. The project is aimed at formalizing and upgrading one of St. Andrew North Central’s long-standing informal settlements.

The J$62.8 million project, managed by the Projects and Technical Services Branch of the Ministry, and executed by Brighton Engineers Limited, includes:

• Demolition of encroaching structures and removal of zinc fences
• Construction of perimeter boundary walls
• Asphalt roadways and foot pathways
• Stormwater drainage system
• Installation and upgrading of fire hydrants
• Regularization of land tenure for residents

Minister Montague noted that the residents expressed appreciation for the ongoing works, adding that they have committed to maintaining their surroundings, while MEGID works to resolve the final safety and utility concerns.

“They are very aware of their responsibilities in terms of keeping the drains clean. They have also indicated that they will be beautifying their area. We have also seen where the citizens have pointed out that there is an issue with the electrical wires and cable wires running very low in the expanded driveway and walkway. We are already in touch with the utility companies to have these removed. They are a safety hazard and will prevent larger trucks like the garbage trucks, fire trucks and ambulances from coming into the lane”, the Minister stated.

The project traces its roots to 1988, when 85 Red Hills Road was declared a special improvement area under the Local Improvements (Communities Amenities) Act (LICA).

In 2001, the adjoining 85 ½ Red Hills Road was acquired by the Ministry of Housing for development. The current project is focused on enhancing infrastructure, improving living standards, and formalizing the settlement to ensure sustainable development.

Upon completion, the Ministry will formally hand over the upgraded community to the residents and the Member of Parliament.

LIMA, Peru:- Minister with responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, is in Peru this week for a series of important discussions and technical exchanges on infrastructure delivery, reconstruction, resilience and institutional reform.

Minister Morgan is leading the Government of Jamaica delegation participating in the 1st LATAC-UK Infrastructure Forum, being held in Lima from March 23 to 26, 2026. The forum brings together senior government officials from across Latin America and the Caribbean, alongside representatives of the United Kingdom, the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, to examine best practices in infrastructure strategy, planning, governance, financing and execution.

Jamaica’s engagements during the four-day visit in Peru are highly significant and closely aligned with the Country’s current priorities. The agenda includes meetings with the National Infrastructure Authority (ANIN) and former leadership of Peru’s reconstruction authority, as well as technical sessions focused on governance, planning, resilience and lessons for Jamaica.

“This visit is about serious engagement and practical learning,” Minister Morgan said.

“Jamaica is in Peru for important discussions and exchange at a time when we are actively considering how to strengthen infrastructure delivery, improve coordination across government, and build systems that are more efficient, resilient and responsive to national needs.”

He said Peru’s experience in recovery from major natural disasters, and resilient reconstruction, are especially relevant as Jamaica continues to assess options for strengthening its own institutional response to reconstruction and resilience.

“Our interest is not only in what Peru has done, but in how it has done it, how institutions have been structured, how technical support has been used, and how projects have been delivered with greater urgency, while ensuring value for money and a high quality product at the same time. These are matters of direct importance to Jamaica.”

The delegation’s programme also includes a site visit on resilient infrastructure, including flood protection works, and a final workshop on reconstruction lessons and next steps for Jamaica.

Minister Morgan said the visit reflects Jamaica’s commitment to learning from credible international models while shaping solutions suited to Jamaica’s own context.

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KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister with Responsibility for Works, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, MP, has announced the continuation of consultations on the establishment of a One Road Authority (ORA), an initiative aimed at strengthening coordination, improving accountability, and enhancing the management of Jamaica’s road network.

On Friday (March 20), Minister Morgan, along with Minister of Local Government and Community Development, Hon. Desmond McKenzie, met with mayors from across the island to continue the consultation process, engaging municipal leadership on their experiences within the current system and their recommendations for improvement.

“Today’s meeting with our mayors is an important first step as we work to bring greater alignment to how roads are managed across Jamaica. Their input is critical in shaping an approach that is practical, responsive, and grounded in what communities’ experience on the ground,” Minister Morgan said.

The proposed One Road Authority is intended to streamline responsibilities currently shared among multiple entities, reduce duplication, and improve the delivery of road works and maintenance through clearer standards, stronger coordination, and more transparent performance tracking.

The Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development is leading the policy work for this initiative to ensure that the development of the One Road Authority aligns with Jamaica’s wider infrastructure and economic priorities. The Ministry will guide the consultation process, coordinate stakeholder engagement, and support the design of a framework that strengthens governance, improves efficiency, and enhances service delivery across the road network.

Discussions with mayors focused on the realities faced at the municipal level, including challenges related to coordination, prioritisation, resource constraints, and execution. The feedback received will inform the development of a more cohesive and accountable framework.

Minister Morgan emphasised that the consultation process will be inclusive and will continue with a wide cross-section of stakeholders to ensure the final structure reflects national priorities while responding to the needs of communities.

“We are moving deliberately to ensure this approach delivers real improvements for the Jamaican people, with better coordination, clearer accountability, and a stronger road network that supports growth, safety, and connectivity,” he added.

Further consultations will take place in the coming weeks. In attendance were:

1. Mr. Andrew Swaby – Mayor of Kingston
2. ⁠Mr. Norman Scott – Mayor for St. Catherine
3. ⁠Mr. Donovan Mitchell – Mayor of Manchester
4. ⁠Mr. Danree Delancy- Mayor of Westmoreland
5. Mr. Fitzroy Wilson – Mayor for St Mary
6. ⁠Cllr Fenley Douglas – represented Mayor Leon Thomas of Portmore
7. ⁠Mr. Sheridan Samuels – Mayor of Hanover
8. Mr. Louis Chin – Mayor for St Thomas
9. Mr. Joel William’s – Mayor of Clarendon
10. Mr. Richard Vernon – Mayor of St. James
11. ⁠Mr. Paul Thompson – Mayor of Portland
12. ⁠Mr. Michael Belnavis – Mayor of St. Ann

Ministerial support and technical team: present were:

1.    Mrs. Marsha Martin Henry – Permanent Secretary MLGCD
2.    Mr. Dwight Wilson – Director Technical Services
3.    Ms. Venesha Phillips – Advisor/Consultant MLGCD
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Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness in his 2026/2027 Budget Presentation on Thursday March 19, 2026, revealed a comprehensive new Urban Renewal framework aimed at transforming Jamaica’s blighted and underutilised urban spaces.

The proposed framework directly addresses long standing issues in land utilisation across key urban centres, including sections of Downtown and Central Kingston, Spanish Town, and Montego Bay, where vacant lots and derelict buildings occupy land located close to infrastructure, employment, and public services.

While these areas remain among the country’s most well situated, outdated incentives and administrative inefficiencies have constrained redevelopment.

The Prime Minister disclosed that since 1995, the Urban Renewal Tax Relief Act has sought to encourage investment in designated areas, however, only 56 projects have been approved over nearly three decades.

“Last year, I indicated that we would overhaul this framework to make it truly fit for purpose, and that work, led by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) with key stakeholders, is now well advanced,” the Prime Minister stated.

Central to the framework is a strengthening of existing tax incentives. Developers undertaking approved urban renewal projects will be able to apply tax credits against up to 100 per cent of their income tax liability, an improvement on the current 50 per cent cap.

For priority developments, including projects in severely blighted areas, affordable housing initiatives, and critical public facilities, the tax credit rate will increase from 33.3 per cent to 40 per cent, improving project viability and accelerating delivery. Additionally, unused tax credits will become fully transferable, allowing them to move with the property on sale, which will remove a major barrier to investment.

The framework also introduces measures to strengthen the wider development ecosystem:

• Tax exempt interest income of up to eight years for financing associated with approved projects
• Commercial rent deductibility of 200 per cent for tenants operating within designated developments
• Property tax exemption in the first year for first time purchasers of residential units in approved projects

To address chronic delays in approvals, the framework provides for all permits, development approvals, and tax authorisations to be processed through a single digital portal managed by the UDC, which is expected to significantly reduce processing times.

The Urban Renewal programme will be expanded beyond Downtown Kingston to include sections of Central Kingston, St. Catherine, St. James, Portland and St. Thomas. The framework will also include disaster recovery and reconstruction zones, covering affected areas in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover and Trelawny.

While some technical and legislative work remains outstanding, the new Urban Renewal framework is targeted to begin coming into effect in the first quarter of FY2026/2027.

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Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has announced a bold, integrated infrastructure programme to eliminate chronic congestion along Jamaica’s north coast while unlocking a new era of tourism and economic expansion.

Making his contribution to the 2026/27 Budget Debate in Parliament on March 19, 2026, the Prime Minister confirmed that feasibility work is now underway for the North-South Highway Extension Project, featuring two new high-speed, tolled links branching from Mammee Bay west to Discovery Bay and east to Tower Isle.

The corridors are designed to divert through-traffic, significantly reduce travel times, and open new zones for investment.

This will be followed by the North Coast Highway Improvement Project, including targeted dualisation from Montego Bay to Drax Hall to increase capacity and improve safety along one of the island’s busiest corridors.

“The Drax Hall corridor is not a problem to be managed—it is a success story to be expanded,” Holness said. “With this investment, we give it the infrastructure it deserves and unlock the next chapter of growth along Jamaica’s most visited coastline.”

The Prime Minister also outlined the national vision of a continuous, modern highway network connecting all parishes, ports, airports, and major economic centres into a single, seamless system, reducing logistics costs, opening new development corridors, and strengthening resilience in times of disaster.

Implementation is already underway with construction on the Port Antonio Bypass, an 18-kilometre corridor that will divert traffic from the town centre while creating space for housing, commerce, and new economic activity.

“This US$81-million project is the essential precondition for everything else the Master Plan seeks to achieve. The 18-kilometre corridor will be delivered in two phases, the first spanning Norwich to Turtle Crawl Harbour, seven kilometres of four-lane roadway, new bridges, and upgraded drainage, built inland and elevated to protect against storm surges and coastal erosion”, he explained.

Grounded in lessons learned from Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister Holness also said the Government is shifting decisively away from fragmented infrastructure development toward integrated planning, aligning roads, drainage, utilities, and climate resilience from the design stage.

“Building in silos has cost us…we are moving to a disciplined, integrated approach, planning well, building well, and maintaining consistently so we never pay twice”, the Prime Minister noted.

Supporting this shift are governance reforms, including the introduction of the One Road Authority to strengthen coordination, accountability, and lifecycle management across the national network.

 

The Government of Jamaica today marked a major milestone in the transformation of St. Thomas with the signing of leases by seven (7) government entities, to occupy space in the Morant Bay Urban Centre.

Among the entities signing leases today (March 5, 2026) were:

• Child Protection & Family Services Agency (CPFSA)
• The Department of Correctional Services (DCS)
• The Jamaica Information Service (JIS)
• The  Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs- Justice Reform Centre
• The Passport, Immigration & Citizenship Agency (PICA)
• The St. Thomas Municipal Corporation and
• Tax Administration Jamaica (TAJ).

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the offices of the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development on Dominica Drive, Minister with responsibility for Land and Titling, Hon. Robert Montague, described the signing of the leases as a strong signal of confidence in the development of St. Thomas as an investment destination.

“It sends a signal to the private sector that the public sector is fully on board, and will be populating the centre and therefore they will now have a market.  It makes no sense that the private sector comes in with restaurants and all that, and there are no customers. So the government having spent J$6 billion, has a responsibility to populate the centre”.

Minister Montague noted that the Morant Bay Urban Centre is the first in a series of planned urban centres across the island, including the building out of the Boundbrook Centre in Portland, as well as urban centres under consideration for St. Mary, Negril and St. Elizabeth.

He also reflected on the symbolism of the lease signing ceremony, linking it to the legacy of National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Paul Bogle, who fought for the upliftment of the people of St. Thomas.

“Today’s signing represents the realisation of Paul Bogle’s dream, bringing development to the people… we are reducing rural-urban drift by creating jobs, housing opportunities and investment in St. Thomas”, he stated.

The Minister thanked the project’s major partners, the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ), China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) and National Commercial Bank (NCB) for their role in the development of the urban centre.

For her part, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Mrs. Arlene Williams, noted that the centre represents a significant step in revitalising a parish once considered overlooked.

“We are bringing economic activities to a parish once thought to be forgotten.  The Morant Bay Urban Centre provides ergonomically designed office spaces within an aesthetically pleasing environment”, she said.

The Morant Bay Urban Centre signals the Government’s commitment to position St. Thomas as a hub for public services, business and education.

In what has been described as “a true collaborative effort,” the Government of Jamaica is accelerating urgent works to repair the damaged Mt. Carey to Montpelier corridor in Southern St. James and complete a $700 million water transmission project that will serve more than 10,000 residents in Southern St. James.

The coordinated intervention by the National Works Agency (NWA) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) is expected to ease commuters’ concerns over long travel times caused by poor road conditions, as well as the frequent water lock-offs resulting from a single line serving both transmission and distribution needs.

During a tour of the work in progress today (February 11, 2026), Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, highlighted the repair work on the corridor, a critical artery linking communities in Southern St. James to Montego Bay.

“The contractor will be repairing approximately 4 kilometers of road, some of which were disturbed by the pipe and some of which were damaged by Hurricane Melissa and overall degradation,” he noted.

The work includes a full overlay of the Mt. Carey to Montpelier corridor, patching of other damaged sections, repairing areas disturbed during pipeline installation, and restoring hurricane-damaged zones.

“Not only that, but there will be about 400 metres of drains that will be repaired or built on this road, in order to ensure that when the road is repaired, rain and floodwaters do not further damage it,” Minister Morgan explained.

In tandem with the roadworks, JSIF’s $700 million water project will rehabilitate water tanks, install a new transmission line from Shettlewood to Anchovy Square, and improve supply to Shettlewood, Anchovy, Roehampton, and Montpelier.

JSIF Managing Director Omar Sweeney, who accompanied Minister Morgan on the tour, noted that Hurricane Melissa had previously derailed the project, washing out approximately 120 metres of pipeline and damaging road sections.

“Assessments were immediately conducted, and reconstruction is now proceeding with strengthened design features,” he said.

Minister Morgan described the dual roadwork and pipeline interventions as a model of Government collaboration

“It is a collaboration between two important Government agencies, the National Works Agency and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund…It is a demonstration that when we advocate on behalf of our citizens, the Government answers, and the citizens will see benefits coming to them from their tax dollars.”

He added that the NWA is working closely with the contractor to ensure quality and value for money:

“We are very confident in the contractor, Contraxx Enterprises Limited, who is experienced and has a very good reputation nationally for doing quality work, and we expect that within the next three weeks, the residents, the commuters, those living in and traversing through this area will see a significant improvement in their road infrastructure and their water supply.”

The combined upgrades are expected to improve quality of life, boost business activity, and strengthen long-term resilience across Southern St. James.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development, Hon. Robert Nesta Morgan, has emphasised the urgent need for a One Road Authority (ORA), noting that it will bring clarity, consistent standards and stronger accountability to how roads are classified, protected, maintained and repaired.

Speaking at the Rotary Club of Kingston’s weekly meeting on Thursday, February 5, 2026, Minister Morgan described roads as “the arteries and veins of the economy”.

He noted that “Right now, too many roads fall through the cracks. The One Road Authority will close those cracks”.

Minister Morgan explained that Jamaica has over 27,000 km of roads, but only about 5,000 km are managed by the National Works Agency (NWA). The remainder is divided among Municipal Corporations, private communities, RADA, NROCC, and some “orphan roads” with unclear ownership.

He stated that this fragmented responsibility contributes to uneven standards, slower response and higher lifetime costs.

“When responsibility is unclear, repairs get delayed, standards vary, and costs rise. A road can become a major corridor, but the governance framework doesn’t adjust fast enough”, he emphasised.

Minister Morgan cited Liguanea Avenue as an example of a corridor whose function and traffic demand have outgrown the funding and management structure for a municipal road, noting that it “has now become one of the main connectors between Hope Road and Barbican”.

The proposed One Road Authority aims to establish a modern, enforceable framework for Jamaica’s road network including:

• Clear rules for road classification (national, municipal/community, farm and private) and when roads should be reclassified
• National standards for drainage, pavement design and rehabilitation methods
• Stronger regulation of excavations and utility cuts, with compliance requirements that protect road integrity
• Accountability mechanisms aimed at reducing “orphan road” outcomes and improving coordination across agencies
• A maintenance driven approach that supports planning, instead of recurring emergency patching.

“The ORA will help Jamaica to protect its road investment with stronger standards, stronger oversight and clearer responsibility”, the Minister stated.

Turning to road standards under the Shared Prosperity through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) Programme, Minister Morgan stated that higher quality road rehabilitation can cost more but is designed to last longer and reduce repeat spending.

“The country is moving towards a quality model, proper drainage, correct base preparation and performance expectations. This is how you stop paying twice for the same road”, he said.

Minister Morgan further noted that Cabinet has approved the establishment of the One Road Authority and the Government will advance the detailed implementation framework through the required stages, including stakeholder engagement and legislative and administrative steps.

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has warned that the rapid growth of informal settlements is limiting the proper development of communities, as the Government continues to scale up the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP).

Speaking at the handing over of three multi-family units at Brooks Level Road, Stony Hill today, (January 30, 2026), the Prime Minister said the overwhelming demand for shelter has outpaced the Government’s ability to provide affordable formal housing, allowing informality and squatting to “run wild.”

“When people build on gully banks, river courses and unstable slopes, it creates serious risks to life and makes proper community development almost impossible”… “Not every piece of land can or should be built on, especially in a time of more extreme weather and greater environmental risks.”

He explained that informal settlements leave little or no space for proper roads, green areas, water infrastructure and organised electricity supply, making communities more costly and difficult to regularise after the fact.

He said to address this, the Government has intensified efforts to speed up formal housing development while expanding social housing for those who cannot afford land or a home.

The Prime Minister further noted that under the New Social Housing Programme, homes are being built to a high standard of design and construction, creating safe, hurricane-resilient structures that also uplift the appearance and pride of communities.

“Every one of these houses is a symbol of how we want housing to be done in Jamaica”, he added, “You don’t have to live in run-down buildings. When you build properly and beautifully, it lifts the entire community.”

The Prime Minister announced that the NSHP will be expanded, with increased budgetary support and scaled-up construction.  Over 80 units are currently under construction, with rapid expansion planned for next year.

The Brooks Level Road development, dubbed “The Brook”, was built at a cost of $31.2 million and falls under the Tenement (Big Yard) Upgrading Modality of the NSHP.  This modality focuses on improving shared-yard housing arrangements.   Seven such projects have been completed, with more underway.

“The Brook” comprises three (3), three-bedroom units that will accommodate 12 persons from three families who lost their home in a fire on October 16, 2023.

As of January 30, 2026, a total of 314 housing units or 720 rooms have been completed under the NSHP, benefitting over 1,135 individuals across 57 of Jamaica’s 63 constituencies.