KINGSTON, Jamaica – Construction of the Port Royal Museum is advancing and is scheduled for completion by the end of May 2023.

“Following that, the selected operators will build out the museum’s interior and displays. It is anticipated that the facility will be operational by December 2023,” Prime Minister, Andrew Holness, said during his contribution to the 2023/24 Budget Debate in the House of Representatives on Thursday.

Holness also advised that in 2022, he instructed the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) to develop the East Harbour as a cruise port.

Additionally, he said the PAJ was directed to develop the lands surrounding West and East harbours, Titchfield Hill, Navy Island, Boundbrook and the Folly Lands, utilising a public-private partnership (PPP) framework to construct appropriate hotels, resorts, residences, shops, galleries, and restaurants.

“The concept is to create a low-density, high-value, sustainable tourism product that is in keeping with the unique character of Portland. This long-term development will be the largest and most ambitious of its type in the region and will bring jobs and opportunities for the people of Portland,” Holness said.

He added that the procurement process for the award of a consultancy contract to develop the Master Plan for the entire area is complete.

The prime minister pointed out that the Master Plan is the first and probably most important step in any such development.

“It will, not only define the development and determine the location of infrastructure but it will also establish the logical sense of how the proposed development will interconnect to the surrounding area. It is expected to be ready by September 2023, following which various components, which flow from the plan, will be mobilised,” Holness added.