Pearnel Charles Jr. Declares St. Thomas Has Outgrown Its Forgotten Parish Reputation

Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour and Social Security, has declared that sustained economic and social change across St. Thomas—fuelled by state-backed infrastructure spending—has finally put to rest the parish’s old reputation as Jamaica’s “forgotten parish.”

Speaking at a recent Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD) town hall held at Colonel Cove in Morant Bay, the Minister said the time had come “to put down the hammer and to disassociate those words from St. Thomas”.

“The Government has made, in recent times, the most significant investments in St. Thomas,” he told the gathering.

Among the headline gains, he cited the finished Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project, calling it “one of the best roads in the country”. Yet he stressed that the uplift runs deeper than asphalt alone.

“It’s much more than just roads. The investments that have been made and continue to be made are in infrastructure, in the Morant Bay Urban Centre, in the coming together of all of the government agencies into that one space so that we can give you greater access,” the Minister said.

He also drew attention to fresh commercial, housing and tourism ventures that are opening doors for people living in the parish, especially the youth.

“We have housing developments coming, tourism developments coming. Youngsters who used to have to think about leaving St. Thomas to go to foreign – and sometimes foreign does mean Kingston – don’t have to think like that anymore, because St. Thomas has expanded and matured and developed and is evolving into its own,” he said.

Minister Charles Jr. assured those present that the administration intends for every resident—including persons with disabilities—to share in the gains now taking shape.

The session also functioned as an expo, showcasing branches and services within the Ministry as well as other public and private agencies.

“We are here today… as part of the transformation strategy that is saying to the citizens of St. Thomas, we see you, we are here for you. We are collaborating and working together with you to make sure that all persons with disabilities and family members of persons with disabilities have the knowledge and the information… and can gain access to the benefits that you deserve in a country that is set up to serve you,” the Minister said.

“I want to assure you that the Ministry of Labor and Social Security and the JCPD, will continue to pour our investments into St. Thomas. We will continue to do all that we can to be available to you,” he added.