Monday, December 15, 2025, Kingston, Jamaica: The Urban Development Corporation affirms the public purpose and context of its year-end public activities.
The UDC fully supports the Government’s directive regarding the suspension of staff parties across ministries, departments, and agencies. In keeping with this guidance, the Corporation has suspended its own internal staff celebrations.
It is important to distinguish, however, between internal staff functions and long-standing public service initiatives delivered for the benefit of the Jamaican people. The UDC Fireworks Festival is not a staff event. It has never been a celebration for employees. It is a public initiative planned, executed, and staffed by UDC employees on behalf of the people of Jamaica. For staff, it represents a significant operational undertaking rather than a celebration.
The Fireworks Festival forms part of the Corporation’s public service mandate to provide safe, inclusive, and meaningful spaces for national togetherness, particularly at moments of recovery and reflection. This year’s staging takes place in the context of communities still rebuilding after Hurricane Melissa, with particular attention given to areas that have experienced significant hardship.
The decision to expand the Festival to additional parishes was guided by that reality. It reflects a deliberate effort to bring moments of joy, unity, and hope to communities that have endured loss and disruption, especially families and children.
The UDC remains mindful of the national context and has approached all year end activities with restraint, sensitivity, and purpose. The Fireworks Festival is intended not as festivity for its own sake, but as a community-focused experience that supports emotional recovery, social cohesion, and national morale.
As always, the Corporation remains committed to serving the Jamaican people through initiatives that balance development, responsibility, and compassion.
-end-
.
Corporate Relations and Marketing Department
cr@udcja.com
8763748653 / +1 (876) 276-5322
Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram @UDCjamaica
www.udcja.com