October 7, 2026
Gov’t to review lease arrangement for NARRA headquarters at Digicel Building in Downtown Kingston
Written bySugar Ray Thomas
The Government has decided to review the lease arrangement for the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NARRA) for its headquarters at the Digicel building in Downtown Kingston.
This follows concerns about the approximately $115 million annual cost of leasing the premises.
As a result, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says NARRA’s roll out will be scaled back and this will affect the pace at which projects are rolled-out.
Dr. Holness says the Government’s decision to review the lease underscores that it is sensitive to public sentiments on the matter of the cost of the space.
At the same time, he notes that the public may not understand that NARRA required the space to get projects underway quickly.
Furthermore, Dr. Holness says the state does not want to erode public trust in NARRA by not listening to their views on the rental cost.
Dr. Holness underscores that the decision by the Government highlights the strength of the country’s democracy, although it is sad that the pace of project completions under NARRA will be affected.
Meanwhile, Dr. Holness says the Government will initially stage NARRA’s operations on one floor rather than two. Operations at the location are scheduled to begin by November 1.
He says the public can rest assured that their tax dollars will not be wasted.
Dr. Holness was speaking at an Office of the Prime Minister retreat at the Terra Nova Hotel in St. Andrew this morning.
The Prime Minister says the Digicel building in Downtown Kingston is a site that is resilient and can withstand a disaster.
Dr. Holness explains that this was among the factors that led the Government to enter into a lease arrangement with Digicel for space to host NARRA.
The Prime Minister says NARRA was set up to facilitate a wide variety of infrastructure projects, including housing.
In order for NARRA to carry out its operations effectively, Dr. Holness says the site would have to be centrally located, as well as be able to operate during and immediately after a natural disaster.
He says not many buildings in Jamaica meet NARRA’s operational parameters.
Dr. Holness indicates that the Government does not have purpose built structures that could house NARRA effectively.
He admits that the Government is in a bad state as it relates to its buildings, and this affects how it carries out operations.
