News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says he is confident in the established anti-corruption framework aimed at deterring corruption. The Prime Minister says the country’s independence mission, is to ensure the building of institutions that are open to scrutiny and accountability. Prime Minister Holness made the statement during his National Independence Message. “I am confident that with the anti-corruption framework we have created and the institutions we have built to implement it, Jamaica will see appreciable improvement not only in the perception of corruption but in the deterrence of corruption and the detection, investigation, and prosecution of corrupt acts,” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, the Prime Minister stated that his administration has taken decisive steps at the governance level to, create a robust anti-corruption framework in which corruption cannot flourish. “At the governance level, we have developed and are about to implement a new system for the nomination, selection, and appointment of board members of public bodies. This will ensure that only fit and proper persons with the best skills are allowed to guide our public bodies. At the investigative level, we have just completed the legislative process to give MOCA its administrative and operational independence,” the Prime Minister stated.…

The Government remains committed to protecting the environment, in particular, the Cockpit Country. Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed the Government’s stance on protecting and preserving the Cockpit Country during his national independence address. The Prime Minister underscored that only environmentally sustainable projects will be pursued. “Based on the technical advice of the experts and after consultations, the boundary of the area to be protected was decided. This is an important step in protecting this critical national asset for generations to come and ensures that there will be no mining or any other activity that could harm the environment in the protected area,” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, the Prime Minister highlighted the legislative step taken by the Cabinet to grant further protection to the Cockpit Country Protected Area. “The Cabinet also took further steps to ensure that before any mining can be done in areas outside of and close to the cockpit country protected area as defined, an environmental impact assessment study must be done. We are very sensitive to the concerns raised about the Cockpit Country Protected Area and we are very sensitive to the area surrounding and in close proximity to the Cockpit Country Protected Area,” stated…

The Government of Jamaica and the Republic of Kenya together on Monday (August 5) signed agreements to facilitate closer bi-lateral relations. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has welcomed the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Jamaica and the Republic of Kenya in the areas of Sports, Culture, and Heritage, Political Consultation and Tourism. “Our two Governments also welcomed the signing of three MOUs, namely, the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Fields of Sport, Culture and Heritage, the Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations as well as the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Field of Tourism. We are equally confident that with the signing of these MOUs the relations between our two countries will be strengthened and advanced,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister made the announcements during a joint press conference with His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta after the signing of the MOUs at the Office of the Prime Minister. In that regard, the Prime Minister stated that he and President Kenyatta agreed that improving trade in goods and services, increasing investments and facilitating the movement of people, was focal during their bilateral discussions. Further to their bilateral discussions, Prime Minister Holness said the MOUs serve to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that JMD $1billion has been allocated for the roll out of the housing component of the HOPE programme. Prime Minister Holness says the Government has successfully completed the administrative element of the Housing component of HOPE and is ready for the official launch. “That programme will cater to indigents. Now the NHT has a programme where persons who do not qualify based upon income can get a benefit from the NHT and it is a grant and that programme works well, it is not a large programme and it is geared to that segment of the market that really has no income but persons who are trying,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Government through the HOPE programme will utilize public resources to assist persons who are struggling, those with irregular income and also those who are unable to afford their own home. In that regard, the Prime Minister underscored that the JMD $1billion will be spread equitably across all constituencies through an application process. He is optimistic that the intervention will improve the living conditions and improve parenting. “The Government is not blind to the conditions that persons live in all over Jamaica and…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has extended congratulations to the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland Boris Johnson. Mr Johnson was appointed today (July 24) following the resignation of Theresa May. Prime Minister Holness dispatched a congratulatory diplomatic letter to Mr Johnson. "Your assumption of the leadership comes at a critical time for the United Kingdom, Europe and the wider world. Indeed, the many challenges that confront us all call for strong political leadership and joint action to achieve the shared goals of development, prosperity and security for our peoples and nations.  We wish for you and your Government wisdom, vision and courage in undertaking this new mandate," said Prime Minister Holness. According to Prime Minister Holness, Jamaica highly values the United Kingdom as a close and dependable partner and friend. "Our longstanding relations extend across a wide gamut of areas which remain crucial to both our countries. I assure you of our commitment to continued close collaboration at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels," added Prime Minister Holness. He noted that Jamaica stands ready to discuss critical issues and build bonds with Mr Johnson's administration. "We, therefore, look forward to the further enhancement of these relations through deeper…

The Government of Jamaica is pleased to announce that His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya, will pay a State Visit to Jamaica as special guest for the nation’s 57th Anniversary of Independence celebrations. The President will be accompanied by First Lady, Her Excellency Margaret Kenyatta and an official delegation. The visit also provides an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations between Jamaica and Kenya, focused on the development of an economically strategic partnership through the fostering of trade and investment ties and the promotion of increased technical cooperation in areas such as tourism, education, sport and culture. The Kenyan President is scheduled to arrive in Jamaica for the three-day State Visit on August 5. Prime Minister Andrew Holness will hold bilateral talks with President Kenyatta, which will be followed by a press statement. The Kenyan President will also undertake other engagements and activities, including a courtesy call on the Governor-General who will host a State Dinner in his honour at King’s House. The President is also expected to meet with the Leader of the Opposition. As the special guest for Independence 57, which is being held under the theme: One Nation, One People, President Kenyatta will be…

Jamaica has moved a step closer in further diversifying its energy mix with the official commissioning of the Floating Storage Regasification Terminal (FSRT) which will supply Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) to Jamaica. Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (July 19) officially commissioned the facility into service during a ceremony on the Golar Freeze barge docked in Old Harbour. The historic undertaking of the FSRT is the first of its kind in Jamaica and the region which will serve the country’s energy security needs and diversification. The project was undertaken by the US-based New Fortress Energy. According to the Prime Minister, the completion of the terminal will establish Jamaica as a premier LNG hub. “Today we celebrate a significant milestone in the partnership between the people of Jamaica and New Fortress Energy. We are on track to achieve an ambitious goal which is to have at least 50% of our electricity generation from renewables or cleaner fuels. We are almost there at 44% when we complete Old Harbour and that is a major significant achievement. The completion of the terminal will firmly establish the island as a premier LNG hub. It is the first of its kind in the Caribbean and will supply…

The Government of Jamaica is pleased to announce that the relocation of an existing generator at the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) has been completed. Acting CEO of the RGD, Desmond Davis stated that “the relocation [of the generator] was necessary for Occupational Health and Safety as it should not have been located on the main building.” This power infrastructure upgrade which included the construction of a new generator room is a part of the Government’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure upgrade strategy. “Previously, the generator that was located in the room on the main building emitted fumes, was loud and caused vibration damage to the main building. The delivery of services to the public continues, with staff and customers being safer,” explained Davis. The upgrade was implemented through the National Identification System (NIDS) loan agreement signed with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in February 2018. “The new power infrastructure will reduce downtime, improve information communication systems, as well as enhance users and customers’ experiences,” stated Warren Vernon, Project Director for the NIDS project. He also informed that “this is one of our infrastructure projects under the NIDS scope of work for the IDB’s calendar year.” The Government spent JA$10.4…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the triple threat of dons, gangs and guns have caused violence to reach epidemic proportions in Jamaica. The Prime Minister says the Government is committed to arresting the problem. Speaking at a media conference to announce a State of Public Emergency in the St. Andrew South police division yesterday (Sunday, July 7, 2019), Prime Minister Holness noted that the global murder average is six per 100,000; for the region, it is 16 per 100,000 and Jamaica is at 46.2 per 100,000. “This is an epidemic and there is no one who can tell me that the country should be satisfied with this and not be prepared to take extraordinary measures. I would today want to rubbish this argument that things are normal and that our constitution contemplated this kind of murder rate. Every Jamaican should be appalled at this not just scared for themselves as a citizen but as a country that we are at this level. And every Jamaican should be prepared to do what they can in the fight against crime,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister urged all Jamaicans to give information on the gangs, guns and dons. In that regard,…