“A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges” Mr President, I congratulate you on your election to the leadership of this distinguished body. You can be assured of our full commitment to the successful execution of your mandate, including from our position as a Vice-President of the session. I also acknowledge your predecessor for his […]
Continue ReadingJamaica, the Next 60 Years My fellow Jamaicans, this Independence Day is especially significant; it is our Diamond Jubilee, 60 years as an independent nation. We celebrate under the theme, “Jamaica 60, Reigniting a Nation for Greatness.” While we cannot allow the current global crises of a pandemic, war, and inflation to dampen our mood, the government is mindful of the hardships our people are experiencing; therefore, our celebrations […]
Continue ReadingI have been following with great concern the developments in relation to the major pollution incident of the Rio Cobre which occurred during the period July 26th to August 4th, 2022.The Rio Cobre is one of Jamaica’s most valuable natural assets and plays a critical role in the social and economic lifeline of thousands of residents and businesses operating in the geographical area that the river spans. The Rio Cobre basin ecosystem supports agriculture, aquaculture, artisanal fishing, sightseeing and leisure […]
Continue ReadingDeputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Hon. Dr. Horace Chang on Wednesday, August 3, 2022 led a high-level delegation in discussions with a team from the Crime Monitoring Oversight Committee (CMOC). DPM Chang was accompanied by Minister Robert Morgan and Senator Kavan Gayle. The CMOC team comprised Chairman Lloyd Distant, Prof. Anthony Clayton, Marc Ramsay, Helene Davis-Whyte, and Keith Duncan. The meeting coincided with the 2nd anniversary of the signing of the National Consensus on […]
Continue ReadingSo many milestones and episodes make up the Jamaican story. However, we can agree that the proclamation of Emancipation in 1834, after over 300 years of both Spanish and British enslavement, is pivotal to understanding our current situation and future trajectory. We commemorate Emancipation Day not only as the culmination of the struggles of over 10 generations of our ancestors to gain freedom, but we also recount it as the starting point of a free people now […]
Continue ReadingMinister of National Security Dr Horace Chang and Chair of the Crime Monitoring and Oversight Committee (CMOC) Lloyd Distant, yesterday had productive discussions in relation to the Government’s engagement with CMOC. In the meeting, which was arranged last week, both Dr Chang and Mr. Distant expressed that there was a common understanding on the principle of consensus between the Government and CMOC. There were also wide-ranging discussions on various targets set via the consensus […]
Continue Reading
I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of General Colin Powell; a true trailblazer, statesman, diplomat, distinguished servant and gentleman, former US Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Born to Jamaican parents in New York, General Powell never forgot his roots and family lineage in Jamaica. His service in the […]
Continue ReadingOver the past few days, details of land transactions involving the Sugar Corporation of Jamaica (SCJ) and parties connected to the Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon. J. C. Hutchinson MP, have been reported in the public media. As Head of the Government of Jamaica, I am […]
Continue ReadingAs Prime Minister acting in accordance with the advice of the National Security Council, and having received the written agreement of the Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, I have declared a Zone of Special Operations under the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act, 2017. […]
Continue ReadingGood afternoon, Ladies and Gentlemen. Thanks for joining us on this Sunday afternoon. We welcome Jamaicans and friends of Jamaica from home and abroad who are joining us virtually. As you know, a number of measures in the existing order under the Disaster Risk Management Act will expire today, May 31, 2020. The purpose of […]
Continue Reading