News from the OPM

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to addressing Jamaica’s housing challenges by accelerating the pace of housing developments, especially for the middle to low-income households. Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the government is taking active and strategic steps through a mix of private-public partnerships, expanded construction, and targeted social interventions to meet its target of 70,000 housing solutions. Dr. Holness highlighted that the Government is supporting low-income families through the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP), which targets the most vulnerable Jamaicans. An estimated 6,000 Jamaicans are currently living in some of the most deplorable housing conditions across the island. “So far, we have either constructed and delivered or have currently under construction, approximately 330 units. So, we are moving steadily towards reducing that number and we will be scaling up very rapidly,” Dr. Holness said. In addition to social housing, the Prime Minister highlighted the broader momentum in the housing sector. “The truth is that the housing market is doing quite well particularly for private houses and private developments, but where we do have a challenge is in providing affordable housing and low-income housing solutions,” the Prime Minister noted. To tackle this, the Government is…

Prime Minister Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness says teachers play an indispensable role in building a modern, competitive Jamaica and building the country's human capital. As the nation’s economic landscape evolves, the Prime Minister made it clear that the greatest challenge to growth is no longer financial; it is human capacity. Speaking on Wednesday (May 7, 2025), Teacher’s Day, to the Students and Teachers at the Mico University College, the Prime Minister declared: “This is now the primary constraint on our growth. Not capital, less so infrastructure, but people. The capacity, productivity, and readiness of our workforce”.   Big things are happening in Jamaica With Jamaica boasting record-low unemployment of 3.7% and strengthened macroeconomic fundamentals, the demand for highly skilled labour such as engineers, healthcare workers, IT professionals, and, critically, qualified teachers, has surged. Addressing this labour shortage, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that education must lead the charge in building national resilience and opportunity. “This is why human capital development is a central pillar in our national growth strategy. Under the ASPIRE framework, our comprehensive plan for economic transformation, the ‘P’ stands for people and human capital development. We are putting people at the heart of our growth model…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has underscored the pivotal role of education in shaping Jamaica’s labour force and propelling the country’s development agenda. Speaking on Wednesday (May 7) at Mico University College on Teachers’ Day, Prime Minister Holness stated that Jamaica’s economy has transitioned from traditional industries to a predominantly service-based economy, now comprising over 70 percent of national output. “The next step for growth requires a transformation in our education system. To improve our service economy, we must improve our people, and that begins with education,” the Prime Minister declared. Prime Minister Holness underscored the urgency of building a well-trained, well-equipped labour force that can meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy. The Prime Minister stressed that the country must go beyond educating for the past and instead focus on future readiness. “We simply cannot educate our young people for the past. We must equip them for the future. That means redesigning our curriculum, rethinking how we use technology in the classroom, integrating STEM and digital literacy at all levels, and investing in soft skills of communication, empathy, and critical thinking.” The Prime Minister outlined several strategic investments being made to support this vision, including upgrading teacher-training…

“What we are doing now is not radical. It is overdue. This is a process based on partnership, not punishment. It is about building trust and creating systems that empower educators to do their best work, and to be recognized and rewarded for it.” - Prime Minister Holness The Government has committed to further dialogue on the Jamaica Teaching Council (JTC) Bill. This as Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness reiterated the government's dedication to elevating the teaching profession. Speaking today, Teachers’ Day (May 7) at Mico University College, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the legislation seeks to establish a robust institutional framework for accountability and standards within the teaching profession. “We cannot continue to treat teaching as less than a profession. It is absolutely important that we professionalize and bring the institutional framework to create the profession of teaching in Jamaica,” stated Prime Minister Holness. Acknowledging concerns raised by educators and stakeholders, Prime Minister Holness assured that the government is open to dialogue. “Let me assure everyone that the government I lead is a listening government, and to the extent that there are concerns about aspects of the bill, we are willing to listen and engage in meaningful dialogue to…

Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness has announced that 2,500 new surveillance cameras will be installed across the island over the next three years as part of a strategic expansion of the JamaicaEye network. Prime Minister Holness made the announcement while speaking today at the official commissioning of the Olympic Way JamaicaEye Control Centre at the Olympic Way Police Station. The Cabinet has approved a strategic master plan for the expansion of the Jamaica Eye network. Over the next three years, we will add 2,500 cameras across Jamaica island-wide. Already 500 of those have been earmarked for Portmore, Old Harbour, and Port Antonio,” Prime Minister Holness stated. The Prime Minister emphasised that the camera installations will form a vital part of a broader, integrated national safety infrastructure. The initiative will improve real-time surveillance capabilities, response coordination, and modern policing effectiveness. “We are building out a national infrastructure of safety. So, for all the people who are quick to retort, where are the cameras? You're going to get cameras until you don't know what to do with them,” he said. The Prime Minister also pushed back against critics, affirming that the Government is focused on tangible, long-term results. “Our…

“It is in the Government’s interest and in your interest that our police officers have body-worn cameras.” - Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness has firmly dismissed public pronouncements and discourse in some quarters suggesting that the Government, through the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), is resisting the use of body-worn cameras for members of the force. Speaking today (May 6) at the Commissioning of the Olympic Way JamaicaEye Control Centre, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the Government remains fully committed to deploying body-worn cameras. However, the use of the cameras requires first building out the necessary infrastructure and secure ecosystem to support their effective use. “I hear some people talking about cameras and body-worn cameras. The Government knows what it is doing. We are moving with speed and alacrity to have it installed. It is in the Government’s interest and in your interest that our police officers have body-worn cameras, and as fast as possible. We want to have those deployed,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister noted that simply acquiring cameras without a secure and functional backend system would be irresponsible. “We don’t want to have cameras that we put on, and then it…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to tackling social violence in all its forms. He noted that while significant progress has been made in reducing organized violence, particularly gang related murder and serious crimes, the next term of the government will see intensified efforts to confront the wider culture of violence that permeates many aspects of Jamaican life. Speaking at the East Central St. James Scholarship Awards Function, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that while the government’s security strategy has led to measurable success in lowering murders and other major crime, true peace will only be achieved when violence, beyond crime, is rooted out of the society. “Peace is a central focus of our security strategy. That strategy must ultimately make Jamaica a peaceful country. But addressing murder and crime is only one part of it. There are other elements of peace that we have also been addressing, and areas that require long-term interventions,” said Prime Minister Holness. He acknowledged that while crime remains a priority, violence requires a different kind of response, which is why the government commissioned a comprehensive study to guide national action on the issue. “We empaneled a commission called…

Prime Minister Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness says the Government remains resolute in its mission to eradicate absolute poverty in Jamaica, describing it as a deliberate and strategic commitment to ensure no Jamaican is left behind. Addressing the East Central St James Scholarship Awards Function, the Prime Minister emphasized that the Government’s economic philosophy is not built on maintaining poverty but on empowering Jamaicans to rise above it. “Before 2016, all that was preached to the Jamaican people was about poverty, we love the poor, but essentially, the policies were just to keep people poor,” said Prime Minister Holness, “We changed that, not to neglect the poor, but to make a commitment that we can end absolute poverty in Jamaica.” Dr Holness noted that the Government has made a decisive shift toward building a nation that uplifts people and fosters long term economic and social transformation. “We see Jamaica as a country of great potential, a country that can and will,” he said, “That is why we cast our eyes up and remain positive, whatever the challenges we face.” The Prime Minister emphasized that prosperity is not a final destination, but a continuous journey built on steady gains and…

Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness has highlighted the broader national benefits of Jamaica’s declining crime rate, pointing out the success of the Government’s security strategy. Dr Holness said the strategy is not only about public safety but also about reducing the cost of living and unlocking economic opportunity for all Jamaicans. Speaking on the critical link between security and economic outcomes, the Prime Minister stated: “The issue of security is not just one of public safety. The fact is that insecurity adds to the cost of living that you experience as a citizen.” Prime Minister Holness explained that businesses across Jamaica are often forced to invest heavily in private security, which drives up operational costs that are then passed on to consumers. “Every business operator has to add security as a significant line item. Therefore, with the Government reducing crime and alleviating security concerns to businesses, the cost of living to every Jamaican will also reduce.” The Prime Minister urged Jamaicans not to view crime reduction solely through the lens of community safety, but also as a key driver of national economic growth. “Do not look at the issue of police getting on top of murders and other serious crimes…