News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says developers should frame housing developments with climate resilience in mind. The Prime Minister says communities that are not properly planned can have an impact on the country’s climate. “When we cut down trees, when we have improper disposal of waste, when we don’t treat our water resources properly all of those things can have an impact and we’re seeing the impacts now, we’re seeing it, the hotter times, the changing rainfall patterns and the persistent and frequent droughts,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking today (August 30) at the groundbreaking ceremony for the National Housing Trust (NHTs) Twickenham Glades Phase 4 development in St. Catherine. According to the Prime Minister, the country stands a better chance of withstanding climate events and preserving the environment when more infrastructure is planned. “I want the public to understand that Government is not insensitive to the issues of climate change, but the Government has to consider all the factors involved in the development of the country. There is no compromise that can be justified for our environment. We can’t replace the environment when we destroy it,” stated Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, the Prime Minister…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says a full report will be brought to the public in short order on the matter of the Bernard Lodge housing development. The Prime Minister’s statement came today (August 30) during his address at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Twickenham Glades Phase 4 development in St. Catherine. Prime Minister Holness, said that he has directed the Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Daryl Vaz to provide the public with a full report on what is being discussed on the matter. “The reports that I’ve gotten so far have suggested that provisions have been made within the acreage that is available to accommodate the farmers that are there, and indeed if you look at the entire development a large part of it will still remain in agriculture. I’ve asked Minister Vaz to prepare a full report now to bring to the public so that the public can get the information. Much of what is being discussed, is creating a narrative without having the full information so that the public can genuinely make a decision,” stated Prime Minister Holness. Earlier this year, concerns were raised by farmers about farmlands that fall…

The National Security Council (NSC) has emphasized the urgency for the new Bail Act to be finalized as another tool to improve safety and security in the country. The new Bail Act will be brought before the Cabinet this legislative year. It was a significant topic of discussion yesterday (August 29) during the regular monthly meeting of the NSC, chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The Act will clarify and provide guidance on the grounds to keep persons in custody without being charged for major criminal offences. It will also detail the time frame for which someone can be detained between being suspected of committing an offence and formally charged. Prime Minister Holness acknowledged the constitutional limitations in which the new Bail Act and crime-fighting measures have to be examined.  In this regard, the Council also took note of the approaches being taken by other countries such as the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the United Kingdom regarding provisions for bail. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness also received operational updates from the Chief of Defence Staff-Jamaica Defence Force (JDF); Commissioner of Police- Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and Director General of the Major Organised Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA).…

At the first meeting of the Cabinet after the summer recess, yesterday (Monday August 26), discussions were held on issues related to enforcement of the road traffic laws and the plans and preparedness of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for traffic flow management for the start of the new school year. The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, met with the Commissioner of Police, Major General Antony Anderson and the head of the Public Safety and Traffic Enforcement Branch (PSTEB), Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Bishop Dr Gary Welsh. The Commissioner of Police indicated that based on assessments being done by the JCF, the police are expecting delays in certain areas, but that in anticipation, plans were being put in place to keep the traffic flowing, especially in areas where re-routing could not be done. Prime Minister Holness advised that he would be meeting with the National Works Agency (NWA) to discuss any co-ordination that may be required for the effective and efficient flow of traffic on roadways where construction works were underway and in particular to ascertain whether any re-scheduling of works and additional signage may be required. The Cabinet also discussed the importance of equal and consistent…

Prime Minister Holness announced that the National Works Agency (NWA) have been given strict instructions to build infrastructure that can last a hundred years to deal with weather events which are taking place more frequently. The Prime Minister says that with the rapid shift in weather conditions as a result of climate change, the country’s roads, bridges and other infrastructure must be built strong enough to withstand major weather events. Prime Minister Holness was speaking today (Wednesday, August 21) at the official opening ceremony of the rehabilitated George River bridge located in the community of Violet Banks above Gordon Town East Rural St. Andrew. According to Prime Minister Holness the new George River bridge provides an opening for industrial and economic benefits to East Rural St. Andrew. While giving the main address at the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Holness said with the bridge expansion, redevelopment of Port Royal, and infrastructural work being done in East Rural St. Andrew residents will have greater access and economic activities will increase in the area. “In improving the road conditions of Gordon Town, we have literally given new life to the economy which existed before with great potential but which I’ve observed for myself…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that the Government is committed to solving the country’s housing and land settlement issues. Already, he says, the current Administration which he leads holds the strongest record in housing. The National Housing Trust is on track to build 22,000 homes by the end of this financial year, the most housing solutions built by a single Administration. The Prime Minister made the comments on Friday (August 9) during his keynote address at the ground-breaking ceremony at Rhyne Park Estate in St. James. “The NHT is now on track to build 22,000 housing solutions by the end of this financial year, the most that have ever been built by any administration in any term. The HAJ that was an agency that was on my chopping block one of the Agencies that was plagued by corruption, I said we can’t have this agency. Dr. Horace Chang, then Minister without portfolio with that Ministry, pleaded with me and said, we can turn in around, and that agency has been turned around. It has been moved from a loss-making agency to with bad audit reports to an agency that is about to make a surplus. More than that they…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has asserted that the Government has not given up on the National Identification System (NIDS). The Prime Minister says the faster the Jamaican society embraces the imminent move to a digital society, more advantages will be realised. The Prime Minister made the comments earlier this week (August 7) during his keynote address at the launch of the Electronic Business Forum at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. “The Fourth Industrial Revolution in which we are is all about how you manage information and data and leverage that innovation. The innovation with data now is how Governments can use it to better serve their populations. One of the things that we want to do is to give every citizen an identity, it is not about stealing your identity or exposing your Identity, but we need to know who you are. You need to be assured that when you present yourself that you are known, you are acknowledged, and you can get service,” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, the Prime Minister stated that the Government continues to do the background work necessary to have NIDS work effectively. He noted that the Government is putting in the infrastructure to facilitate…

Kingston, Jamaica: Prime Minister Andrew Holness earlier this week (August 7) held discussions at the Office of the Prime Minister, with a high-level delegation from the Government of the Cayman Islands, led by Honourable Alden McLaughlin, Premier and Minister for Employment and Border Control; Community Affairs and International Trade, Investment, Aviation and Maritime Affairs. The delegation visited Jamaica to strengthen cooperation in several areas. They also attended the 67th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show. The leaders spoke on cooperation in the areas of travel, air services, agriculture, tourism, environmental sustainability, maritime issues, energy cooperation, education, training and trade. Prime Minister Holness noted that Jamaicans are most interested in accessing a more liberal travel arrangement to the Cayman Islands, which remains a British overseas territory. Both Prime Minister Holness and Premier McLaughlin have agreed to ensure plans are developed to improve travel between the neighbouring states. In the areas of trade and agriculture, the Government of the Cayman Islands is seeking to look at increased opportunities particularly in the area of  livestock from Jamaica. Jamaica also agreed to lead and assist in the area of tourism resilience training through the Resilience Centre. Additionally, linkages will be made in order for…

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…