Dear Editor,

The recent opening of the Morant Bay Urban Centre is not just a ribbon-cutting ceremony. It marks a turning point in the socio-economic future of St Thomas.

For too long, this parish has been one of Jamaica’s most overlooked regions, bearing the brunt of underdevelopment, limited infrastructure, and slow economic growth. The launch of this centre is a long-overdue investment in the people of St Thomas and a signal that Kingston is no longer the sole hub of opportunity.

The state-of-the-art facility, built on the historic grounds of the old Morant Bay Courthouse, represents more than modern infrastructure, it stands as a symbol of progress, decentralisation, and renewed hope. Housing government agencies, business services, and community spaces under one roof, the centre promises efficiency, convenience, and most importantly, jobs.

Beyond its local impact, the Morant Bay Urban Centre sends a national message: this Government can deliver. For Jamaicans across the island watching this development unfold, it is evidence that the Andrew Holness Administration is capable of fulfilling its mandate to develop and transform neglected communities. If it can be done in St Thomas, a parish long left behind, then it can be done elsewhere. This centre stands as proof that the promises made are not just talk, but achievable goals backed by action. Jamaicans can look to this project and have confidence that other scheduled developments, like the upcoming urban centre in Portland, are not only possible, but already underway.

Still, this development must be more than symbolic. The Government must ensure that the people of St Thomas, particularly youth and small business owners, are given full access to the opportunities this centre brings. Infrastructure alone will not fix generational neglect. Active policies and sustained engagement are needed to translate concrete into real, lasting change.

The opening of the Morant Bay Urban Centre should be celebrated not just as a local achievement, but as part of a broader movement towards national development. This is what progress looks like — visible, tangible, and inclusive.

This is more than concrete and steel. It is a beacon of hope. And if this Administration stays the course, it can become the legacy of a Government that turned potential into progress and brought prosperity to all Jamaicans, parish by parish.

Chenae Lord

chenae.lord@yahoo.com