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.