KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ) has endorsed the Government’s plans to enhance the island’s water storage and distribution network, particularly in the Kingston Metropolitan Area, hailing the initiative as a game-changer for real estate growth.

According to the RAJ, the announcement was made by Minister of Water and Climate Change Matthew Samuda during the association’s leaders’ breakfast at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, February 26. The event also kick-started the RAJ’s 60th anniversary celebrations.

Minister Samuda outlined key components of the Government’s Water Vision 2030, including construction of a new Hermitage Dam in St Andrew, expansion of the Mona Reservoir’s capacity and ongoing upgrades to the water distribution network in the Kingston Metropolitan Area.

“I’m happy to report that the first phase of the engineering for the new Hermitage Dam is indeed complete, and we expect to complete the transaction design and the procurement process within the next 12 months,” he stated.

Gilpin-Hudson highlighted the transformative impact this move would have on real estate.

“We are at the threshold of a transformative era for Jamaican development, and water infrastructure is the key that opens the door. We have untapped potential across the island in housing, farming and infrastructural development, which remain underdeveloped because of inadequate access to water, she said. “For the first time, we have a workable timeline and a clear path forward. This is what the market has been waiting for.”

The minister also revealed plans to upgrade and divest the Soapberry sewage treatment facility into a tertiary-level plant, supporting efforts to restore Kingston Harbour as a blue-water body — a critical climate goal.

Gabrielle Gilpin-Hudson (right), President of the Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ) pauses for a photo with Hyacinth Picart, Commissioner of Land Valuations, National Land Agency at the RAJ Leaders in Estate Breakfast at the Jamaica Pegasus.

Andrew James, Board Chairman, The Real Estate Board and Commission of Strata
Corporations addresses the audience at the Realtors Association of Jamaica (RAJ) Leaders in
Real Estate Breakfast held at the Pegasus Hotel in New Kingston on Thursday, February 26 under
the watchful gaze of Gabrielle Gilpin-Hudson (centre), President of the RAJ, and Judy Hylton,
Chair of the Conveyancing and Probate Committee, Jamaica Bar Association.

“It’s major… A revitalised harbour would open an entirely new chapter for downtown Kingston to position Jamaica among the great waterfront cities of the world,” said Gilpin-Hudson.

The RAJ president emphasised that water access was vital for the Corporate Area’s evolving skyline, driven by multi-storey residential and commercial developments. She added that the RAJ views these government initiatives as pivotal to sustainable development, affordable housing and economic vitality across Jamaica.

Looking ahead, Gilpin-Hudson reaffirmed the RAJ’s commitment to fostering stronger public-private collaborations under the theme of its 60th anniversary celebrations, “Strengthening Partnerships for a More Efficient, Transparent and Sustainable Real Estate Sector”.

“We’re open to collaboration. We’re open to sitting down with the various stakeholders, whether that’s in the private or public sectors, to really drive what we need to do to get Jamaica to have a first-world real estate market,” she said.

Speakers at the Leaders in Real Estate Breakfast included Yvett Anderson, head of retail banking at the Caribbean North and Central, Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Ltd (the event sponsor); Hyacinth Picart, commissioner of land valuations at the National Land Agency; Andrew James, board chairman of the Real Estate Board and Commission of Strata Corporations; and Dayton Wood, board chairman of the Jamaica Developers Association.