The Office of Utilities Regulation (OUR) is an independent regulatory body established by the Office of Utilities Regulation Act 1995, with operations commencing in January 1997. The OUR is the multi-utility regulator responsible for the regulation and monitoring of prescribed utility service sectors including electricity, telecommunications, and water and sewerage, in accordance with the OUR Act. The Office comprises six members appointed by the Governor General, with the Director General serving as an ex-officio member.
The OUR also provides an avenue of appeal for consumers with grievances against utility providers while ensuring fair, independent, and transparent regulation that benefits all stakeholders.
For the 2026/27 financial year, the OUR will continue to align service provider behaviour with the public interest across its regulated sectors. In telecommunications, the OUR will advance Phase II of the number portability project and assess network capacity to support enhanced access to emergency services. In the electricity sector, it will provide analytical support for the renegotiation of the Jamaica Public Service Company Limited’s licence and conduct tariff projection valuations relating to the Jamaica Energy Partners Power Purchase Agreement. In the water and sewerage sector, the OUR will develop a K-Factor regulatory model for the National Water Commission and produce a working document to strengthen oversight of private water and sewerage service providers.
The OUR forecasts a net surplus of $11.83 million for 2026/27.
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB) is a Jamaican statutory body established in 1955 under the Tourist Board Act and operates as the public body of the Ministry of Tourism. One of the region’s oldest destination marketing organisations, the JTB is mandated to promote Jamaica as a premier tourist destination worldwide, create local and international marketing and public relations campaigns, collect and maintain visitor data and expenditure statistics to capitalizing on opportunities, in order to increase visitor arrivals and expenditure, track regional and international industry performance, and support the Ministry in fostering public understanding of the tourism industry.
The JTB carries out its functions through offices in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto, London, and Berlin.
For the 2026/27 financial year, the Government of Jamaica is estimated to spend 2.38 billion to support the operational cost of the JTB.
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
