Seven Gov't entities sign leases at Morant Bay Urban Centre

Seven government entities have signed lease agreements to occupy spaces at the Morant Bay Urban Centre, signalling what officials say is a major step toward activating the $6-billion commercial complex.

The agencies include the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs – Justice Reform Centre, Jamaica Information Service, Tax Administration Jamaica, Department of Correctional Services, Child Protection and Family Services Agency, Passport, Immigration and Citizenship Agency, and the St Thomas Municipal Corporation.

They will join more than 30 private-sector organisations that have either completed or are in the process of building out their spaces at the facility, which was officially opened in May 2025.

The lease-signing ceremony for government tenants was held Thursday at the Ministry of Economic Growth and Infrastructure Development in Kingston.

Minister without Portfolio with responsibility for land titling and settlements, Robert Montague, said the agreements demonstrate the public sector’s commitment to the development.

“I really want to congratulate the government entities for seeing the vision and coming forward,” Montague said, noting that relocating to the Morant Bay Urban Centre could prove to be a historic decision for the agencies involved.

He added that the project represents the fulfilment of the vision of National Hero Paul Bogle to bring development directly to the people of St Thomas.

Montague also argued that the centre will help curb rural-urban migration by creating employment opportunities and attracting new investment to the parish.

Chairman of the Morant Bay Urban Centre Limited and the Factories Corporation of Jamaica, Lyttleton Shirley, said the concentration of government services in one location will make it easier for residents to access public services.

“It is all about creating an environment for our people to be more welcome in government spaces without having to be journeying all over to different areas at a cost to them,” he said.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Arlene Williams, described the development as a “beacon of hope” for the parish, saying it is expected to stimulate economic activity in an area once considered overlooked.

The complex was developed through a public-private partnership involving the Factories Corporation of Jamaica, China Harbour Engineering Company, and National Commercial Bank Jamaica.

The signing comes weeks after the Opposition People’s National Party raised concerns that the complex remained incomplete months after its official opening in May 2025.

Opposition spokesman on industry Anthony Hylton had called on Prime Minister Andrew Holness to clarify reports that tenants were unable to access the facility due to unresolved utility issues.

Hylton argued that the May 2025 opening ceremony was premature and described it as political theatre, claiming that several tenants were still awaiting access to their spaces.

However, Shirley said earlier that electricity and water issues affecting the complex were being addressed and that tenants would soon be able to begin operations.

Speaking on Thursday evening at a parliamentary committee reviewing the proposed budget Montague said water and electricity are "available" at the facility.

- JIS contributed to this article.

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