Gov’t Steadfast in Mainstreaming Resilience Across Jamaica’s Economy – PM Holness

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the Government remains steadfast in mainstreaming resilience across all sectors of Jamaica’s economy as the nation continues to confront an increasing number of climate‑related shocks.

Speaking during the official ceremony to break ground for the US$20-million Lakes Pen Industrial Park in St. Catherine on Tuesday (December 9), Dr. Holness noted that while Jamaica has advanced in building fiscal resilience to natural disasters and other shocks, resilience can no longer be regarded as a specialised or standalone issue.

He emphasised that it must be integrated into everyday planning, across government ministries, private enterprises, and community organisations.

“So when we are going to reconstruct Jamaica, we also must now look at the vulnerabilities that could have impacted the continuity of government, of central government… the continuity of businesses that could have dislocated critical infrastructure to maintain connectivity around the island,” he said.

Sections of the island sustained catastrophic damage during the passage of Hurricane Melissa, a category-five system, on October 28.

Dr. Holness stated that the Government will intensify its efforts to integrate climate considerations into projects being undertaken across the island.

“So the reconstruction effort will involve resilience building, which may not necessarily all be concentrated in the area of damage. We have to look at the drainage system in Kingston to avoid the potential of flooding in certain communities.

“We [also] have to look at our electricity grid [in terms of] what can be placed underground [and] what can be limited to microgrids… all of these are considerations. We have to, now consider, as we had started, backup power for water production and distribution, backup power for our police stations… . We have to consider where our hospitals are located,” he said.

The Prime Minister also underscored the critical role of technology, renewable energy, and local innovation in advancing Jamaica’s resilience agenda.

Dr. Holness noted that the reconstruction effort cannot be confined solely to the parishes and communities directly impacted.

He added that the concept of resilience is not merely about rebuilding what was damaged or restoring what previously existed. Rather, he stressed that “the hurricane is a message to us that there are areas of weakness in our infrastructure, in our social systems, in our society that we must address”.

“Our GDP (gross domestic product) today is US$20 billion. We will have access between what the Government will directly use and what the private sector will use to about $6.7 billion. Let us use that in a synergetic way to add greater value to our GDP. Let us make the commitment that by 2030, coming out of this, our GDP could move from US$20 billion to… even US$30 billion.

“That is the mentality and the thinking that all Jamaicans must embrace. This crisis of [Hurricane] Melissa has given us the perfect opportunity to rapidly expand our economy… but in a way that gives us the resilience to withstand the next weather event that will come,” he said.

In commending Sygnus Real Estate Finance Limited on the Lakes Pen Industrial Park development, Dr. Holness noted that the 55‑acre property, slated for completion in June 2027, will add significant value and dimension to Jamaica’s logistics hub.

Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce, Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill, stated that the state‑of‑the‑art infrastructure project represents a strategic investment in Jamaica’s industrial future.

“This project showcases the collaboration and drive of Jamaican companies, workers and investors showing that Jamaica is stable, [and] open for and welcoming of high-quality investment in our economy,” he said.

Vice President and Head of Real Estate and Project Finance at Sygnus Capital, David Cummings, stated that the Lakes Pen Industrial Park will deliver 34 serviced lots designated for industrial and commercial operations.

He further noted that contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), will employ approximately 100 persons during the course of the project.

The gated industrial property will feature surveillance cameras throughout the common areas, a rapid‑response armed security team on site, an underground electrical distribution system, a 70,000‑gallon reserve water tank, and two large retention ponds designed to manage calculated rainfall and storm water.

The Lakes Pen Industrial Park is being purpose‑built to meet Jamaica’s growing demand for warehousing, logistics, and light industrial space.