Often dubbed the forgotten parish, St Thomas has undergone a major transformation over the past few years. On the heels of the recent opening of a multi-billion-dollar urban centre, the developments in the east have been lauded by industry insiders. Outlining that the changes have been a long time coming, entertainers Popcaan and Gramps Morgan say St Thomas’ worth is finally being realised.

“I feel proud of all the developments because a something weh me fight for over the years. Mi protest fi the roads, mi see roads a fix. Now me see the urban centre as further support and it was needed,” Popcaan told the Sunday Observer.

The Government also announced the establishment of a 13 and a half acres sports and entertainment facility, which will be developed adjacent to the urban centre.

This would be particularly welcoming for Popcaan, who stages the annual Unruly Fest concert in the parish, and Gramps Morgan, whose family group, the Grammy Award-winning Morgan Heritage, hosted East Fest for several years on the site of the new urban centre.

“St Thomas suffocation was something outta this world. It was crazy but it’s a good look now and I love to see all the investments pouring in. I love to see the parish developing because the people need that,” said Popcaan, a St Thomas native who has always advocated for development in the parish. Over the years, the artiste has made numerous public pleas to the powers that be, urging them to recognise the parish’s potential.

Gramps Morgan, who has family roots in the parish, agreed. Having recently purchased a beachfront property in the parish, Morgan says the spotlight is welcomed.

“It is a great feeling to see the development of the parish and attention being given. I love to see development. This is only one of many,” he said referring to the new urban centre. “The highway will be bigger because it is infrastructure. There’s still so much more left to do but I am happy to see that the parish where my kids went to school, my niece and nephews, the parish my father took a chance on, is moving in the right direction. The next step is health care and water and light but we are on our way.”

Outlining that his family has always had plans to return to the parish, Morgan said he always had faith St Thomas would one day be given the attention it deserves. He says now that developments are happening, he hopes his fellow Jamaicans will help see to its maintenance.

“There are many things that follow development,” he said, admitting that a certain level of destruction is inevitable. “But I’m not concerned with those things. We know that good and bad come with it so it’s all part of the process. We look forward to the further progress and development of the parish and we can only pray for the best and hope that things will stay on this progressive path.”

Member of Parliament (MP) for St Thomas Western James Robertson, in a recent interview with the Jamaica Observer, lauded the Government, Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) and taxpayers for bringing to fruition the $6-billion Morant Bay Urban Centre, the largest investment in a town in the country’s modern history. He shared that the parish has waited 160 years since Paul Bogle first championed the cause for development in the parish and highlighted that there is even more to come.

But even as more development is embraced by industry insiders, Popcaan has urged the Government not to place too many restrictions on the people of St Thomas in the process.

The entertainer told the Jamaica Observer that beaches, rivers and other attractions should remain free for public usage, even as the Government champions transformation.

“The people dem over St Thomas wah fi can go a Lysson Beach and nobody nuh tell dem say is private property and dem thing deh because we love development but from we a likkle pickney we a go Lysson beach and we nuh wah nobody come tek it over,” he cautioned. “People fi have access to all beaches and rivers in Jamaica because they are for the people.”