Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony for the Garmex Freezone Redevelopment & Expansion - Phase 1!
Yesterday marked a major milestone in Jamaica's industrial journey, as we celebrated the transformation of this historic
44-acre complex into a modern Special Economic Zone. With over 126,000 sq. ft. of new commercial space already in use by 15+ businesses, Garmex is set to become a thriving hub for investment, innovation, and job creation in the heart of Kingston.
63 Brand New CNG Buses arrived in the Island yesterday. Another 37 to arrive in coming weeks including 7 buses retrofitted for persons with disabilities and 30 Coach Buses. We continue to invest in the development of Jamaica because We Choose Jamaica.
This is what hope looks like!
Ground has been broken for the Village of Tower Hill Housing Development, a new beginning for families in St. Andrew West Central under the New Social Housing Programme.
On Monday, we officially handed over the Tree Relocation Device (TRD) to the Forestry Department.
I spoke about this in my Budget Presentation because it's something I truly believe in. Too many times, when we're building roads, houses, or other infrastructure, we end up cutting down big, mature trees, trees that took decades to grow and play a big role in keeping our air clean, our soil strong, and our communities cool and beautiful.
But this device changes that.
The TRD can safely dig up and move these trees to another location, so we don't have to destroy them. That means we can continue to build and grow, without losing the natural beauty that makes Jamaica so special.
This is the first machine of its kind in the region, and Jamaica is leading the way.
We're showing the world that development and environmental protection can work together, and that's something we can all be proud of.
Yesterday, we broke ground on the East Palms Housing Development Relocation Project, a critical step in restoring hope and stability for families affected by the 2021 fire here in Kingston Central.
That tragic event displaced 13 residents, children and elderly among them. We have not forgotten their suffering, and today, we act.
This project falls under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), a key part of our HOPE initiative, which affirms that every Jamaican deserves safe, dignified shelter.
The East Palms development will include seven apartment-style units, ranging from studios to three-bedroom homes, built with reinforced concrete, modern infrastructure, and secure utilities. These units will move families out of unsafe, overcrowded tenement yards into formal, resilient housing.
Across Jamaica, the NSHP has already delivered 290 units in 57 constituencies, with 65 more projects set to begin this year. This is not talk. This is delivery.
Beneficiaries will sign agreements to protect the integrity of the programme. These homes cannot be sold or altered for 20 years without approval. This is a social contract, one of shared responsibility between Government and citizen.
The East Palms project is a symbol of national renewal. We are building Jamaica, community by community, home by home.
