Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has emphasised the importance of clarity in understanding the distinction between the work of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA).
Speaking at the UDC Board Retreat on April 30, the Prime Minister noted that both entities have distinct mandates.
“The UDC has its mandate, and NARRA has its mandate, and they must not come into conflict or in competition with each other.”
NaRRA cannot and was never intended to take over the functions of the UDC; it cannot displace the regular operations of the economy, including current and future projects of the UDC.
He described NaRRA as an executing mechanism designed to deliver projects with speed, efficiency, and accountability.
“NARRA has to be agile, and it has to meet international accountability standards and pace.”
Dr. Holness also addressed the broader environment in which new systems are introduced, cautioning against narratives that may undermine progress.
“There is nothing wrong with being constructively critical, but there is everything wrong with being deceptively critical.”
He emphasised that the Government’s focus remains on outcomes and delivery.
“People want results, and I am focused on results.”
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister continues to call on Jamaica’s contractor class to modernise their operations and embrace new opportunities emerging from the country’s evolving development framework.
Addressing the UDC Board Retreat on April 30, the Prime Minister emphasised the need for contractors to shift their mindset and invest in systems and technology to compete at higher levels.
“Our contractors must change their mindset; they must invest in their systems and technology, and they must be able to operate at an enterprise level.”
He encouraged contractors to view emerging frameworks such as NaRRA not as a threat but as an opportunity to expand their reach and capabilities.
“They must not see it as something to exclude them, but as an opportunity to step onto the global stage.”
Dr. Holness underscored that Jamaica’s development trajectory will require stronger, more capable private sector partners who can deliver at scale and meet international standards.
