News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has asserted that the people will be at the centre of development as the Government aims to maintain order in Port Royal. The Prime Minister’s comments came in a multi-agency meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister on January 9, which provided an update on the planned development of Port Royal as a cruise ship destination. During the meeting, Prime Minister Holness stated that Port Royal’s reputation will be maintained as disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. “So, I want that to be upfront in the minds of the planners that Port Royal will not be a free for all. It is not going to be a place for hustlers and people to come to harass. It has to be a place of order. It will also be a place where not just visitors from overseas will have to opportunity to enjoy the experience, we want Jamaicans to be able to enjoy the experience as well. So, we are not creating an exclusive zone. What we will be creating, is an orderly zone,” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness emphasized the Government’s objective to uphold the peaceful characteristic of Port Royal for…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling on all Jamaicans including members of the Church community to utilise all platforms including digital, to share information on criminals. According to the Prime Minister, the Government is on a quest to reduce crime however the strategies will not be successful without information by the public. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness appealed to the nation to assist in the crime fighting efforts by coming forward with information. “Some of us know where the guns are.  I appeal to the nation, don’t create an environment of support for the criminals who are close to you in proximity, don’t give them succour, don’t support them, be smart about what you are doing – share information,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking on Wednesday, January 8 at the 15th Annual ‘Heal the family, Heal the Nation’ church conference at the National Arena. Prime Minister Holness, in speaking directly to the Church community, asked that the Church leaders carry through the message on the importance of assisting crime fighters with information on criminals roaming their communities. Prime Minister Holness further stated that the information should or can be otherwise shared digitally and anonymously. In the meantime,…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the Government has granted Miss World 2019, Jamaica's Toni-Ann Singh Diplomatic passport which enables her to travel the world with the blessing of the country. Miss Singh was named Ambassador-at-large for Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness made the announcement yesterday morning (December 23) during a courtesy call at the Office of the Prime Minister. According to the Prime Minister, Miss Singh will be an excellent Ambassador for Jamaica and the Miss World Organisation. Miss Singh, 23, who hails from Bath St. Thomas, last week won the Miss World competition from a field of more than 100 women representing their countries. Prime Minister Holness noted that there is something special about Miss Singh as she exudes sincerity and honesty with a purpose. In the meantime, an official reception was held in honour of Miss Singh at Jamaica House on Sunday night (December 22). The Government organized a four-day welcome home reception which culminated yesterday. "In my few moments of interaction, it was clear that she has a kind heart and a good soul, and she has a passion for women and children and the poor. And I know that she will serve in her capacity as Miss World as an ambassador and she will tour projects right across the world that she will bring the fame and the glory that she has by winning this title, she will bring it to bear on helping people who are in distress. People who need good cheer, people who…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness made a donation of one million dollars to the Bustamante Hospital for Children during a tour and toy distribution visit to the facility yesterday (Monday, December 22). According to Prime Minister Holness, the donation is much needed to assist with the purchase of monitors for the hospital. The Donation was made through his Positive Jamaica Foundation. In that regard, the Prime Minister also used the opportunity to get a first-hand view of the needs of the hospital which is the only one of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. “It is always difficult when anyone has to be admitted to hospital,  but it is especially heartbreaking during the Christmas season which is a time for families to get together. For this reason, I make it a custom to visit those who are sick and vulnerable to bring cheer during this, the Yuletide season”, stated Prime Minister Holness Last year, Prime Minister Holness visited the Mustard Seed Communities where he made a donation of $1.5 million towards the operation of the facility and the education of a child with special needs. “I am encouraging everyone this season to open your hearts and spread kindness to those who are in need of love and care during this season. Let us remember our neighbors, the elderly, the sick and infirm. Let us reach out to them especially at this time of the year,” said Prime Minister Holness.

Jamaica has upgraded equipment used to monitor air traffic at the Kingston Air Traffic Control Centre (KATCC). Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the recent improvements come at an opportune time to meet the demands of continuous air traffic volume expansion and rapid technological advancements. The Prime Minister’s comments came while speaking at the official reopening and ribbon-cutting ceremony of the KATCC on Wednesday (December 18). “In an environment of continuous air traffic volume expansion, rapid technological advancements, sophisticated threats, and increasing efficiency demands from our myriad stakeholders, the recent upgrade of the Kingston Air Traffic Control Centre was propitiously timed, multi-billion-dollar investment on which our country embarked, under the direction and guidance of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority”, said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, the commissioning of new industry-leading Air Traffic Management systems has created a significant evolution in Jamaica’s air traffic capacity, efficiency, and safety. The upgrades undertaken included a Voice Communication Control System (VCCS), a system-wide Air Traffic Management (ATM) Automation Surveillance System, Global Positioning System (GPS) master clock and receiver and an Air Traffic Control Simulator. The KATCC which is operated by the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCAA), is the nucleus of Jamaica’s air traffic management network and operations. Prime Minister Holness stated that other stakeholders confidently rely on Jamaica’s air navigation services for its contribution to a safe global air traffic management system and safe and efficient passage through Jamaica’s strategic and highly traversed airspace. “Additionally, we would have noted that there…

Prime Minister Holness says the Government will create a technology-driven maintenance programme to reduce road maintenance cost. The programme will result in a system of preventative maintenance rather than corrective maintenance. The Prime Minister’s comments came today (November 27) while speaking at a courtesy call with the Junior Mayors at Banquet Hall, Jamaica House. According to Prime Minister Holness, the initiative called the Lengthman Programme will use technology to gather and report critical information to assist in maintaining the county’s civil infrastructure. “We have to use technology in a greater way than we presently do. The Lengthman programme that I am proposing, may very well use electronic devices, as a part of their role as being wardens of the civil infrastructure, to gather and report critical information [and] maintenance information to assist, whether it is the Local Government or the Central Government. The data will be there to assist us in planning responses to the maintenance of our infrastructure,” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness stated that the initiative will involve training people to operate as wardens of the State. The Government will also develop the programme to operate as a model for the entire Caribbean…

The Government of Jamaica is upgrading its Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure systems across the public sector. Speaking in Parliament yesterday (Tuesday, November 26), Prime Minister Holness said the Government is committed to strengthening the public sector systems to enable better service delivery to the people of Jamaica. “Our people deserve the best and this administration that I lead is committed to ensuring that the systems, processes and technology are in place to give the people of Jamaica the best possible service. For far too long, and particularly in this post-independence Jamaica, our people have expressed their frustration when trying to conduct business at several public sector entities,” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, the Prime Minister said the Government is focused on the ICT aspect of the National Identification System (NIDS). He said the Government has been in dialogue with various stakeholders and will continue to act in the best interest of the people. The Government decided to focus on the initial ICT upgrade to address critical needs at the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency (PICA) and The Registrar General Department (RGD). In that regard, Prime Minister Holness noted that the scope of work for the ICT infrastructure upgrade…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has asserted that the Government is committed to protecting children from all forms of violence and exploitation. The Prime Minster made the declaration on the occasion of the historic presentation in Parliament yesterday (November 19) by children. The presentations were made by Ngozi, Keino, Tafari, and Shaneille in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to Prime Minister Holness, the country has relied on violence to resolve issues with children, intimate partner relationships, and crime and violence. "More parents understand that they don’t have to beat their children for their children to come out to something. More teachers understand that they don’t have to use the strap to get their classrooms to be settled. Our Police Force understands that the era of using violence as an extrajudicial method will not be tolerated by the Government, by our people, and by the courts,” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness stated that the country still has a far way to go, but progress is being made as the Government is putting in place the institutions to change the culture of violence. Some of these institutions include…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is expressing deep sadness following the death of two young boys; Javinchie Palmer and Tyler McLeod, who tragically died after fire on Friday night razed their home in the community of Paradise in Norwood St. James. Prime Minister Holness continues to reiterate the need for greater parental supervision and protection of children from catastrophic events such as fires which can be prevented.  He is urging parents to meet their obligation to ensuring the safety and protection of their children. The Prime Minister says many of these fires are the result of negligence and a lack of attention to fire hazards. “Exposed flames are a danger to children and their use should be discontinued with immediacy. Fire hazards such as candles, kerosene lamps, exposed electrical wiring; flammable items, accelerants and all other such hazards should be removed in all instances, and kept out of the reach of children where necessary,” cautions Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister is also encouraging parents not to leave their children unattended at any time or in the care of another minor. “Supervision is important to prevent these disasters; we must ensure that the safety of our children is always our foremost…