The National Irrigation Commission Limited is a Jamaican government agency responsible for managing the country’s irrigation infrastructure and water resources for agricultural purposes. Operating under the Irrigation Act 1949, NIC obtains its legal authority to utilize water for irrigation in designated areas and to conserve subterranean water resources.
NIC’s core functions include managing, operating, maintaining, and expanding irrigation schemes and systems established by the Government of Jamaica. The agency also provides specialized drainage services in the Black River area of St. Elizabeth Parish, covering the Black River from the sea to Lacovia Bridge, the Upper Morass area, the Y.S. River area, and other designated areas. Additionally, NIC is responsible for establishing and collecting rates and charges for water usage. The agency currently operates ten irrigation schemes across five irrigated areas as prescribed by the Irrigation Act.
Under Section 4(1) of the Act, the portfolio Minister may license a company to serve as the Irrigation Authority for 10-year periods, subject to approval by the House of Representatives, with NIC most recently receiving this authority in 2011.
The Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ), established in 1974 under the Airports Authority Act, is a self-financed statutory body responsible for developing, operating, and maintaining a safe, secure, and efficient airport system across Jamaica. The AAJ owns the island’s two major international airports, Norman Manley International Airport (NMIA) in Kingston and Sangster International Airport (SIA) in Montego Bay, and manages four domestic aerodromes: Tinson Pen, Ken Jones, Negril, and the Ian Fleming International Airport (IFIA) in St. Mary, which was upgraded from a domestic aerodrome in 2010/11.
In keeping with the Government’s airport privatization policy, AAJ has entered long-term concession agreements with private operators to enhance efficiency and attract investment. MBJ Airports Limited operates SIA under a 30-year concession, while NMIA Airports Limited, a wholly owned AAJ subsidiary, manages NMIA under a similar arrangement ahead of its full privatization to Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico (GAP). The AAJ continues to oversee these concessions, operate IFIA and the remaining domestic aerodromes, and lead the strategic planning and modernization of Jamaica’s airport infrastructure.
The National Road Operating and Constructing Company Limited (NROCC) was incorporated
on February 2, 1995, as a private limited liability company and commenced operations in
February 2002. In October 2011 NROCC’s Articles of Incorporation was amended to allow for
the conversion from a Private to a Public Company.
NROCC’s core functions include overseeing the design, construction and maintenance of the
highways and related facilities. Additionally, NROCC seeks to ensure environmental
preservation, safety on the highway and strong linkages to encourage development activities.
NROCC remains committed to providing Jamaica with a sustainable and efficient toll road
network. NROCC is well advanced in its stewardship of the highly anticipated
Montego Bay Perimeter Road Project (MBPRP) under its Design-Build contract with the China
Harbour Engineering Company Limited. The project was at approximately 55% completion at
December 31, 2024 with an expected date of completion slated for May 2026.
NROCC projects a net loss of $576.02 million
The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) was established under the Port Authority Act of 1972. Its
mission is to develop and regulate world class facilities and services that ensure sustainable
growth of Jamaica’s maritime industry and maximum satisfaction to all stakeholders. PAJ is
also the designated authority to ensure that the seaports are secured in a manner which is always
consistent with internationally acceptable security standards.
PAJ’s capital budget of $7,519.69 million will fund several key projects in 2025/26. These include completing the restoration of Ocho Rios Berth 2 (damaged in February 2024) to ensure safe ship docking and passenger disembarkation, and finishing the Montego Bay Berth 2 pavement rehabilitation to enhance operational efficiency and support cruise-cargo coexistence.
PAJ will also advance infrastructure planning for the Caymanas Special Economic Zone (CSEZ), a logistics, manufacturing, and commercial hub in St Catherine, and develop a master plan and feasibility assessment for a 12-acre commercial development in Montego Bay.
PAJ projects a surplus of $2,861.45 million
