News from the OPM

Rocky Meade CD, JP, PhD, has been appointed by the Governor General, on the advice of the Prime Minister, as Ambassador Plenipotentiary with responsibility for National Strategic Initiatives for Jamaica, effective February 13, 2023. In this role, he will advise the Prime Minister (and Cabinet when necessary) on, as well as co-ordinate, National Strategic Initiatives […]

With intense work underway to ensure the parish of St. Thomas has quality road infrastructure that will last, Prime Minister Andrew Holness is empathising with residents who have been inconvenienced or otherwise impacted and is urging patience throughout the remainder of the project as the government works to bring this leg of the Southern Coastal Highway Improvement Project (SCHIP) to completion. The Prime Minister says delivering the best roads for residents will take just a little more […]

To strengthen the implementation of the new Road Traffic Act, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has directed the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) to undertake weekly reviews and provide reports on the enforcement and effectiveness of the measures as well as any concerns expressed by the public. The Government recognizes that with these significant changes to the road traffic laws and enhanced enforcement,  a period of consistent review has to be undertaken to ensure the engagement of the entire nation and to achieve a high level of compliance.  The Government has […]

Jamaica is well on its way to becoming a digital society as the Government intensifies policy support for and investments in the development of the digital economy locally. In delivering his keynote address at the opening ceremony for the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) 18th Annual Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus on Tuesday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said, “We must take deliberate steps to transition not only to the digital […]

With allegations of a multi-million-dollar fraud engulfing local private investment firm, Stocks and Securities Limited (SSL), Prime Minister Andrew Holness has established that the Government will lead with transparency in all matters concerning the investigation. Noting the Government’s sensitivity to the international dimension surrounding the case, the Prime Minister said, “I am not aware of any systemic issues in the financial system that could cause contagion, but if actors in the sector, or the common person consumes information that is incorrect, false […]

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reasserted the Government’s commitment to, and record of accountability in the use public funds. In reflecting on the two budget cycles since the start of the pandemic, the Prime Minister recalled instances where the Government came under pressure to increase social spending even in the face of growing and unpredictable crises. “There were calls for us to throw caution to the wind which we didn’t do. We didn’t ‘run wid it’ and that’s why we are in […]

Nearly a decade after the local economy began its recovery from the global recession of 2007 – 2009, Prime Minister Andrew Holness is reminding the public that Jamaica’s tremendous journey of economic turnaround is reason to be optimistic about the country’s future. Speaking at the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s (JSE) 18th Annual Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel last evening, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the strength and resilience of the Jamaican economy and local financial sector. Concerning this, Prime Minister Holness said, “Our […]

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is eager to move ahead with plans to construct six (6) STEM Schools and one (1) STEAM School as part of the overall plan to transform Jamaica’s education system. The Prime Minister said the environment in which children learn, is critical to the achievement of high educational outcomes. […]

Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the Government is moving with speed and intent to change the penalty for murder. The proposed sentencing scheme is as follows: For capital murder, the penalty would be Death or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and for non-capital murder, the penalty would be 45 years to life, meaning […]

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is committed to Jamaica transforming from a Constitutional Monarchy to a Republic. Noting that the process was never expected to be straightforward, the Prime Minister questioned the motivation of those who called for Jamaica to embrace a new status as a Republic, but who are now appearing to […]