News from the OPM

NPC Agrees on Establishment of Articulated & Dedicated Monitoring & Reporting Mechanism


NPC Agrees on Establishment of Articulated & Dedicated Monitoring & Reporting Mechanism

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the National Partnership Council (NPC) has agreed on a methodology to monitor the implementation of special measures on safety and security.

The Government has announced Zones of Special Operations (ZOSO) and State of Emergencies in the western tri-parish region of Westmoreland, Hanover and St. James and in St. Andrew South.

The Prime Minister made the announcement during his National Emancipation message.

“In recent discussions with the National Partnership Council, there is an agreement that there should be established an articulated and dedicated monitoring and reporting mechanism on law, order and public safety rooted in the Council,” said Prime Minister Holness.

Prime Minister Holness acknowledged the country’s unprecedented success seen in the areas of debt and fiscal challenges, electrical infrastructure and doing business, noting that improving public order is the area that has seen the least success. He said this has been done through a partnership approach to governance.

In that regard, Prime Minister Holness stated that the Government is now seeking to further build consensus through partnership.

“We must build consensus in adopting comprehensive measures to fight crime, address our at-risk youth and improve conditions in our communities. There must be national support for increased, targeted government spending on these areas,” said Prime Minister Holness.

According to the Prime Minister, there is a general agreement around the social intervention aspects of addressing issues of law and order, public safety and security.  However, the Government has not been able to develop a consensus on crime fighting.

In the meantime, the Prime Minister noted that through the National Partnership Council, institutions were established or modified with an objective to coordinate and monitor the national efforts associated with resolving the country’s debt and fiscal challenges, modernizing Jamaica’s electricity infrastructure and improving the climate of doing business in the country.

In that regard, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the country should use the theme for Emancipendence “One Nation, One People, United Under God” to find strength in partnership.