Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Robert Morgan says, “the impact of the Governments Relief Emergency Assistance and Community Help (REACH) Progamme cannot be questioned”.

Making his Sectoral Presentation in Parliament on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, Minister Morgan, who has responsibility for the Works Portfolio said every constituency benefitted from the programme.

The Minister added that out of the $3 billion allotted to the programme, each Member of Parliament had the opportunity to recommend $20 million worth of patching work in their constituency.

“Every single constituency in this country benefitted from the REACH Programme.  The impact of Hurricane Beryl and subsequent events are known throughout Jamaica.  There were cries for help about the deteriorating conditions of our roads. Thankfully, through sound fiscal management, the Government was able to find the resources to launch the $3 billion REACH Programme”.

However, he added that the extraordinary rainfall between July and December last year, prompted additional patching.

“Though the REACH was important, we had unprecedented rain between July and December of last year.  Roads that had reached their end of life began to disintegrate. It is for that reason that Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness announced the REACH Emergency which was a $2 billion programme. All told, we spent approximately $4.5 to $5 billion on Islandwide road patching”, the Minister stated.

Minister Morgan announced that the emergency patching is between 80 and 90 percent complete while the broader $3 billion constituency-based REACH Programme, is 72 percent complete. Both phases are expected to be completed by the end of June.

 

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, says several environmental policies will be finalised and tabled in the House this year.

Making his contribution to the 2025-2026 Sectoral Debate in Parliament on May 27, Minister Samuda highlighted the policies, noting that some of them would be finalised in a matter of weeks.

“They include the Overarching Protected Areas Policy; the Cays Management Policy; the National Swamp and Freshwater Policy; and the Beach Access and Management Policy”, he stated.

Minister Samuda pointed to a number of other pieces of legislation that are expected to be completed this fiscal year.

“The Repeal and Replacement of the Forest Act; the Amendment of the Wildlife Protection Act; and the overall Amendment supporting the Ratification of the SPAW Protocol. We’ve also given heavy focus on the subsidiary legislation under the NRCA Act and expect to complete and pass this year; the Amendment to the Wastewater and Sludge Regulations to be completed by the end of May this year, and the Amendment to the Air Quality Regulations”, he stated.

He further stated that the regulations governing the Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Waste and their Disposal are set for completion, and the long-awaited Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations are being reviewed for tabling.

To date, the completed policies include the National Biosafety Policy, the Emissions Policy Framework, the Updated Climate Change Policy Framework, the Watersheds Policy, the Forest Policy, the Policy for the Environmentally Sound Management of Hazardous Wastes, and the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Policy for Jamaica.

Other completed policies include the Beach Access and Management Policy and the Green Investment Strategy for Jamaica.

In addition, the Amendments to the NRCA Act and Wildlife Protection Act were recently passed, allowing for increased fines and related custodial sentences, as well as for the first time allowing for Body Corporates to be charged. The Protected Areas Regulations under the NRCA Act were also completed.

The Minister announced that the Legislative and Policy Reforms will feed into a Twenty-Point Road Map developed by the Government, which is intended to achieve a “cleaner, greener and more resilient environment’.

“We have dubbed it “Ja-Sustain”. This plan is rooted in our deep commitment to improve levels of environmental protection, increasing the capacity for monitoring and enforcing our laws, and significantly increasing our restoration efforts where degradation has taken place”, he noted.

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Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Robert Morgan, says the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) is 96 percent complete.

“The project is 96 percent complete with 2 major components, Part A, (from) May Pen to Williamsfield and also Part B, which includes St. Thomas and Portland.  We anticipate completion of this phase of the SCHIP by the end of this month”, he stated.

However, Minister Morgan, who was making his Sectoral Presentation in Parliament today (June 3, 2025), explained that the construction of the recently announced Port Antonio Bypass would extend the life of the project for another 18 to 24 months.

Minister Morgan said the Government is fully aware of some of the weaknesses that exist along the corridor from Yallahs to Port Antonio.

“These weaknesses especially in St. Thomas, include areas that are prone to flash flooding and those susceptible to landslides. The engineers on the project have considered the varying parameters in the design in areas such as Port Morant which is highly prone to flooding and it has received special attention”, he stated.

However, he warned that there may still be flooding in several areas, due to natural causes such as extremely intense rainfall.

The Minister said that the SCHIP, which has transformed sections of Clarendon, Manchester, St. Andrew, St. Thomas and Portland, is another testament to the Government’s commitment to infrastructure development.

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The Government of Jamaica is investing $16 billion through the special Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Programme, to improve road infrastructure in the Kingston Metropolitan Area including Portmore.

Making his presentation to the Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, June 3, Minister Morgan said the programme will benefit approximately 1.2 million Jamaicans.

“It will include roads, drainage, water, sewage, traffic management, as well as ensuring future broad-band connectivity, which are significant deliverables in the programme.  This ‘ready’ pillar of our framework ensures that infrastructure projects are being built on a strong foundation”, he noted.

Minister Morgan said the Grange Lane Upgrade, which is valued at $925 million is now 98 percent complete, with the Braeton and Hellshire Main Road Dualisation Project set to commence this month.

Other CAPEX projects, he added, are in the implementation phase including East Kings House Road, Lady Musgrave, the widening of the Sandy Gully Bridge, a new entrance to Portmore and the expanded Arthur Wint Drive.

Minister Morgan further noted that the Arthur Wint project, which was originally a smaller scale dualisation project, has now been expanded from Arthur Wint Drive and Tom Redcam Avenue, to Camp Road.

“The Camp Road section has been added, as it makes strategic sense to do so at this time.   The institutional coordination within our ready framework has led to this expansion, incorporating sewage and additional water line infrastructure, and ensures more significant benefits for residents, businesses and developers”, he stated.

Minister Morgan added that the remaining CAPEX projects, which will commence in the third quarter of this financial year are being carefully scheduled to minimise disruptions.

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The Government of Jamaica (GoJ) continues to make significant strides in ensuring that Jamaicans have access to the island’s beautiful beaches, balancing public access with responsible development and the protection of private property rights.

Speaking in Parliament during the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the GoJ to improving and preserving beach access for all citizens.

“The matter of beach access continues to be front and centre, especially in this era of renewed public interest and dialogue. Through the Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), with broad-based consultation including the private sector, civil society, and public commentary, the Government has completed the Beach Access Policy, which is now before Cabinet for final review”, Minister Samuda said.

The Minister explained that the review is ongoing, with special attention paid to legal matters currently before the courts. The policy, he said, will ensure a fair balance between the rights and expectations of Jamaican citizens and the interests of local and international investors, while remaining fully compliant with Jamaican law.

Beyond policy, Minister Samuda emphasised that real impact requires investment and coordinated development efforts. He highlighted the work of the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), the Urban Development Corporation, and the Fisheries Division in this regard.

“We are proud of developments such as the Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, and we are even prouder to announce the upcoming Negril Public Beach Park. This new facility will provide access to citizens, an improved craft market, and an entertainment zone”, he said.

In the current fiscal year, the TEF is also set to begin development on three additional upgraded beach parks:

1. Priory Bathing Beach (Fantasy Beach), St Ann
2. Success Beach, St James
3. Paggee Beach, St Mary

“Let there be no doubt that this Administration is building quality Beach Parks for Jamaicans to access freely”, Minister Samuda added.

In addition to new developments, the Government has also strengthened its regulatory framework to preserve access points long used by local communities. Minister Samuda pointed to a recent hotel development in Trelawny, where specific provisions were made to maintain public access to the beach via a designated pathway, demonstrating that it is possible to protect citizen rights without violating private property boundaries.

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Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, has announced that several existing sewage plants will be expanded, restored, or relocated, based on the level of environmental risks they pose.

Making his maiden contribution as a Member of Parliament to the 2025 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 27, Minister Samuda noted that work on the various sewage plants is planned to begin this year.

“We expect to expand and improve the capacity of the Soapberry Treatment Plant, doubling its capacity and moving it to tertiary treatment. The Member of Parliament for West Kingston will be happy when we get into the line plans for the improvements in West Kingston, which are 30 years overdue. We have also committed and have started the process to facilitate the relocation of not just the Negril Sewage Plant, but we intend to relocate the Harbour View Sewage Plant for the citizens of Harbour View, and we’re well advanced in the design process”, he announced.

The Minister added that commitments have also been given regarding the relocation of the Long Mountain Sewage Lines, adding that the Portmore Sewage Ponds and the Bogue Sewage Ponds in St. James would also receive attention.

“We’ve committed to the improvement, restoration, and significant increase in allocations to the maintenance of the Portmore Sewage Ponds. We are in the planning process to accelerate the movement of the Bogue Sewage Ponds, which should never have been there. That will take some more time, but we are advancing the planning”.

Minister Samuda explained that sewage is amongst the worst environmental issues that the nation faces, adding that the Government is taking the risk seriously and will make the necessary investments to remove the stated areas from the high-risk list.

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Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, says, “final work to bring Jamaica’s Radar System online for the Meteorological (MET) Service is ongoing and should be completed this very week”.

Addressing the House of Representatives on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, during his Sectoral Debate presentation, Minister Samuda said this would ensure that the MET service has the necessary tools for the upcoming Atlantic Hurricane Season and is not solely dependent on external sources.

The Minister added that changing weather patterns caused by climate change require Jamaica to increase its capacity to forecast weather systems.

“As you may be able to tell, our weather patterns are fluctuating more drastically between periods of drought and heavy rainfall than we have seen in recent times, and we believe climate change is at the heart of this fluctuation”, Minister Samuda noted.

Minister Samuda announced that during this fiscal year, the Government will increase efforts to modernise the MET Service, digitising its operations to provide real-time measurements and reports.

He added that “We expect to have significantly improved our equipment capacity to monitor and predict these systems because of the investments we are making in the Meteorological Service”.

Turning to weather patterns, Minister Samuda said Jamaica is currently experiencing drier conditions, with the MET Service predicting that these conditions will persist, mainly across eastern and central parishes through to July as rainfall probabilities fall below normal.

However, he noted that from August to October, normal rainfall is more likely, especially in central and some western parishes, with no impactful drought conditions likely.

 

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The Government of Jamaica, through the National Water Commission (NWC), officially broke ground today (May 27, 2025) for the J$1 billion Ferry to Rock Pond Pipeline Project.

The project runs across three constituencies and is set to bring much-needed water relief to several communities in Red Hills and surrounding areas. The NWC is spearheading this transformative initiative and forms part of the Government’s continued efforts to expand and modernise Jamaica’s water distribution network.

The project includes the installation of approximately 7,220 metres of 12-inch ductile iron pipeline from the Ferry Pump Station to Topaz Crescent.

It also involves the construction of two relift stations, two 50,000-gallon storage tanks, and the installation of duty and standby pumps. Rehabilitation works will also be carried out at the existing Ferry compound to improve operational efficiency.

In his address, Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, noted that many of the projects for which ground was recently broken, including the Ferry to Rock Pond Project, are not new, with several being on the books for years.   However, he noted, the finances to implement them were lacking.

“For us to do the actual capital investment, lay the pipe, put in the pump, develop the water source, you have to be able to invest, and to maintain it, you have to have the funds for the recurrent expenditure. What happened to Jamaica over the last four or five decades is that we simply did not have the capital budget or the recurrent budget”, Prime Minister Holness said.

Once completed, the project will directly benefit residents across the communities of Red Hills, Belvedere, Rock Pond, Cyprus Hall, Mosquito Valley, Plantation Heights, Brentwood, Stanmore, Tom Cringle, and Sterling Castle. These communities have long faced water supply challenges, particularly during the dry season.

The Ferry to Rock Pond Pipeline Project is aligned with the Government’s broader commitment to ensuring equitable access to basic infrastructure, especially in rapidly growing and underserved areas.

Prime Minister Holness also led the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Forest Hill Solar PV Project. The total project cost of J$81,500,000 covers materials, labour, and associated expenses.

It was completed on April 16 and involved the installation of a 350-kW grid-tied solar photovoltaic system, designed to supplement the facility’s energy requirements and reduce dependence on the national electricity grid.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda, noted that the energy investment is a critical component of not only this project, but several others to come, as it will not only build stability in the price of energy, but also the supply.

“Much of Jamaica lives in the hilly interior of the island, and we must pump from surface water sources up these hills, which requires triple-phase power.  Much of the network is the old-style English pumps that use up a lot of electricity.  So, this sort of investment in a 350-kilowatt grid-tide solar system,  for some J$81.5 million, creates the sort of resilience for the 26,000 residents who will benefit from the pipeline that is to come”, he stated.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Robert Morgan is reassuring residents that the Montego Bay Perimeter Road is not intended to bypass communities in Montego Bay but will instead, provide a more efficient travel experience for road users.

The Minister was speaking to the press and stakeholders during a tour of the Montego Bay Perimeter Road on May 8, 2025, to assess the progress of the project.

“There was a perception in the beginning that [the road was] bypassing Montego Bay, so a lot of persons are happy when they see the design… You have the Perimeter [Road] connecting to various other communities, so the people of Montego Bay don’t feel as if we are cutting them out,” Minister Morgan stated.

Minister Morgan was joined on the tour by Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, Member of Parliament for North West St. James, and Stephen Edwards, Managing Director of the National Road Operating and Constructing Company (NROCC) and his team.

Mr. Edwards echoed the Minister’s assurance, adding that the highway will make it easier to access major surrounding communities such as Cornwall Courts, Irwin and Bogue.

“There will be a new access route to the community of Cornwall Courts through the diamond [shaped] interchange. There is also provision for the roadway to be expanded southwards to provide access to future developments,” Mr. Edwards stated.

He noted that the design of the interchange provides great utility to Cornwall Courts and other communities and that pavement works will be undertaken soon.

 

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Approximately 650 households across several communities in the St. Andrew West Rural constituency are now benefitting from improved access to water following the commissioning of the $47 million Mount Prospect (Mount Airy) Water Tank Replacement Project.

The project was officially commissioned on Wednesday, May 8, by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Matthew Samuda.

“This is a milestone that acknowledges that the [National] Water Commission, which you own as citizens of Jamaica, has invested J$47 million into improved water supply for you. It is your government investing in your comfort, quality of life, and water supply, for that, we are thankful”, Minister Samuda said.

He continued: “This 50,000-gallon steel bolted drum is not a small piece of infrastructure. It is a large investment to facilitate increased comfort and population, and we expect it to provide a service for you for close to 30 years… But this is not a unique commitment. It is one of close to 100 projects currently being undertaken by your government, through the Rural Water Supply Limited and the NWC”.

Communities benefitting from the project include Mount Prospect, New Garden, Golden Spring, Mount Pleasant, Mount Friendship, Langley, Iron River, Mount Horeb, Mount Zion, Brandon Hill, and Mount James.

The project was completed in two phases. Phase 1 involved replacing an aged 10,000-gallon tank with a 50,000-gallon bolted steel tank. Phase 2 upgraded the existing 2-inch and 3-inch pipelines to 4-inch pipelines to significantly improve water flow and distribution.

Minister Samuda underscored the historic scale of government investment in the nation’s water infrastructure.

“Today’s commissioning is evidence of the Government’s commitment to rural communities and expanding the utility’s footprint across the length and breadth of the country. In addition, we’re spending 800 million through Rural Water Supply Limited to invest in 63 plus systems for small communities just like this”, he said.

Member of Parliament for St. Andrew West Rural, the Hon. Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn, welcomed the development and praised the Ministry and the NWC for delivering on their promise.

“I’m pleased that this is now a reality. I remember seeing elderly persons and children in Mount Friendship carrying water on their heads. This tank is a major improvement. Lime Edge will also see new connections soon as NWC starts work this week. I thank Minister Samuda and the NWC team for their commitment and responsiveness”, she said.

The Mount Prospect Water Tank Replacement Project is part of the government’s broader efforts to expand and modernise rural water infrastructure across the island.