FCJ chairman slams critics of Morant Bay Urban Centre opening

 

Chairman of the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) Lyttleton Shirley has slammed critics of the recently opened Morant Bay Urban Centre in St. Thomas, charging that they lack knowledge in commercial development. 

 

Senior members of the People's National Party (PNP) have scoffed at the May 15 ribbon-cutting ceremony, suggesting that it was a public relations stunt by the government as the urban centre is at least three months from completion. 

 

PNP Vice President Mikael Phillips has gone further to call for the Auditor General's Department to investigate the $6 billion project amid concerns about its readiness and financial transparency. 

 

Addressing detractors at the site preparation for the Boundbrook Urban Centre in Portland on Thursday, the FCJ chairman said the approach to the model project was normal in commercial development. 

 

"You would have seen at Morant Bay we had the ribbon-cutting recently. That was very strategic because we... built a shell. We gave the clients a three-month period to build out. Why would we wait for everything to finish before we send in the clients? We can work concurrently with [that] three month period. It is what you call strategic planning and the knowledge of commerce. Those who make careless remarks have no clue about commercial activities... because you hear silly statements being made by persons who are educated and should know better," he contended.  

 

Mr. Shirley said three months before the end of the 18-month Boundbrook project, clients will also be called in to retrofit their spaces.

 

He sought to assure that the labour force will be predominantly from Portland. 

 

Ground was broken in August 2024 for the construction of the $4.2 billion urban centre by China Harbour Engineering Company near Bryan's Bay. 

 

It will house government offices and private entities. 

 

In the meantime, the Factories Corporation of Jamaica will next turn its attention to developments in Westmoreland, St. Catherine and St. Mary. 

 

"Negril constitute and support 30% of the total tourism business in Jamaica, yet it is still underdeveloped for the support and social services that is required. We want to match that. The government, the Prime Minister, has mandated us to look at 45 acres of land to redevelop, make it a modern government and commercial activity similar to Morant Bay. And we are excited about it. We are also very excited about the largest parish, Portmore, Naggo Head," he announced. 

 

Mr. Shirley said an integrated business complex will be coming to Oracabessa, St. Mary.