Government to Engage Services of Contractors With Proven Quality and Speed

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government will be engaging the services of contractors with proven quality and speed to support the rebuilding of homes and infrastructure, following Hurricane Melissa.

Addressing business interests and tourism stakeholders at a ceremony in Montego Bay, St. James, on December 10, Dr. Holness outlined a fresh approach to Jamaica’s post-hurricane recovery, saying the Government will actively engage developers who can rapidly assist in rebuilding homes and repairing essential infrastructure for those affected by Hurricane Melissa.

He highlighted the remarkable pace at which the luxury development, The Pinnacle, in St. James, has progressed, noting that if this efficiency can be mirrored in rebuilding hurricane-affected homes, many roofs and shelters could be restored swiftly.

“If you can build this tower in a year, you can build thousands of houses. The Government of Jamaica is willing to partner with you on low-income housing for those most affected,” Dr. Holness told representatives of LCH Development, the company responsible for construction of The Pinnacle.

Mr. Holness reminded attendees that the country’s mood is still shaped by the devastation of Hurricane Melissa, cautioning of the optics of being perceived to be celebrating luxury, while thousands are left wanting.

“We can’t be [perceived to be] celebrating luxury when there are thousands of households without roofs,” he said. “Every hour of my day is spent figuring out how to get roofs back on homes quickly, effectively, affordably and sustainably,” he continued.

The Prime Minister added that while The Pinnacle represents a new high-end entry into the tourism market for Jamaica, the development cannot occur in isolation and be seen as an island of an alien culture.

He pointed to the need for integrated planning, stating that hotels should be built with housing for workers, adequate sewerage, water systems, airport expansion, and road networks. “We can no longer develop tourism as a silo,” he asserted.

Dr. Holness said the Government will also be reshaping its tourism policy to connect the sector more deliberately to national development, beginning with housing.

He noted that new tourism projects are already being required to include dormitories or worker housing units, adding that funds previously allocated for tourism-related housing could be repurposed to support post-hurricane reconstruction.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of LCH Development, Yangsen Li, welcomed the Prime Minister’s vision, reaffirming the company’s commitment to projects that elevate Jamaica while integrating responsible development.

“Tower One is more than a milestone; it is a statement of confidence in Jamaica,” Mr. Li said. “We believe luxury and community development can coexist, and we support the Government’s mission to uplift workers, strengthen infrastructure and build sustainably,” he said.

Residents of The Pinnacle will have access to amenities, including tennis and pickleball courts, a cabana-lined pool deck, dining spaces, and a mini marina with 15 slips reserved for penthouse owners. The Pinnacle Centre will house a grocery, café, tapas lounge, pharmacy, urgent care, and curated retail options.

The development incorporates sustainability at its core, featuring solar energy, rainwater harvesting, and living green walls. Tower One’s completion target is 2027, with two additional towers planned under the Ennismore hospitality portfolio.