News from the OPM

The Prime Minister says the strategic transformation of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) into a force for good through organizational and policy changes is taking shape. Prime Minister Holness was speaking on Wednesday (May 29) at the 76th annual joint conference of the Jamaica Police Federation at Moon Palace Hotel in St. Ann. “The transformation that we are moving the JCF towards is of an organization that can use force without violence, that can use force proportionately and that uses it as a last resort. That means, we’re going to have to change all type of systems, give you new tools, techniques and technology but the first thing we have to do is to change the mindset of the society and the JCF. I am not proposing that by virtue of this speech mind-sets will change but by virtue of this speech, we have taken one step closer to the objective. That is what is required of you the hardworking dedicated members of the JCF” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, the Prime Minister added that with the reformed special operations, the members and leaders of the JCF be accountable and must have a strong doctrine in the use of force. He…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has underscored that significant economic value can be derived from investments in agriculture and agro-processing. In that regard, the Prime Minister noted that the secret to rapid economic growth is to create more value in local agriculture. “The real value to be created right away is in agriculture and agro-processing. That is where you can get immediate value creation. So when I hear of a $7 billion investment over the next five years and significant investments already made in addition to partnership with international companies of high repute to produce here locally using our local milk, then that is telling me that we are going to be creating over the next decade significant value and capacity in a local industry that is going to signal a higher rate of growth”, said Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness was speaking yesterday (Tuesday, May 28) at the official launch of the consolidated Serge Island Dairies plant at Bogwalk, St Catherine. Seprod purchased the dairy-processing factory in Bog Walk three years ago from Nestlé Jamaica, which ceased its manufacturing operations in the island. The Acquisition costs and upgrades amounted to $7 billion. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness encouraged the…

Prime Minister, Andrew Holness has announced that an additional $125 million will be allocated for the trucking of water and the distribution of tanks in several parishes across the island affected by severe drought. There has been a significant reduction in rainfall in the parishes of Kingston, St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Mary, Portland, St. Elizabeth, Manchester and Clarendon. The parishes of Portland and St. Mary are seriously affected. The amount allotted is in addition to the $205 million dollars already spent by the National Water Commission on trucking of water in the last financial year up to March 2019. Speaking in Parliament last night (Tuesday, May 21), Prime Minister Holness, gave an update on rainfall and water situation in the island. “The rainfall has shifted from the north eastern end of the island to the north western end of the island, that has an implication for water distribution within the Corporate Area,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister has indicated that there will be a collaborative effort among the Members of Parliament in the parishes experiencing drought conditions and the Government to ensure that places offering critical services are given priority. “I have asked the Minister without portfolio…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government has made the best decision to divest Wigton Windfarm Limited. According to Prime Minister Holness, the decision to divest the solar energy company came after careful consideration to maximise the asset through private sector participation. “When we became the Government, the existing thought was that we needed to own the asset for obvious reason(s). It is a profitable asset, why would the Government want to divest itself of a profitable asset. Government must always be seeking to divest itself of unprofitable assets and then the second reason is that for strategic reasons you’d want to have an energy company. You want to own it and that was the thought held by previous Governments and indeed there were some in this Government [who] held that view. So, there was a wrestling of ideas as to what should be the position on Wigton. But there is an overarching policy which is that if we are to achieve economic growth we have to fully maximise all the assets that we have.” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking at the Jamaica Stock Exchange official Listing Ceremony for Wigton Windfarm Limited. The historic Initial Public…

Yesterday (Wednesday, May 15) I visited with Former Prime Minister the Most Hon. Edward Seaga at a hospital in Miami, Florida where he is receiving treatment for serious illnesses. Mr Seaga, who will be 89 at the end of May, is in positive spirits considering the physical effects of his illness and treatment. I assured our former Prime Minister that Jamaica is in a good place and that our economic recovery is being carefully managed to ensure social equity and prosperity for the working class masses of the Jamaican people. I also passed on to him, the many expressions of concern, love, prayers and good wishes for him from the Jamaican people and from his former constituency of West Kingston. Among many other national and personal matters about which we spoke, Mr Seaga enquired of football, which became a passion for him in later life. Minister Olivia Grange, who was also with me, updated him and it generated a light moment where we all smiled and laughed. At the end of the visit, we all held hands and prayed with Mr Seaga for his improvement. He thanked us for lifting his spirit by visiting him and expressed his deep gratitude…

The Government is moving to do major upgrades of the water transmission systems while looking to source new wells and springs and establish a new water treatment plant from Rio Cobre, to assist in alleviating the water shortage in the Corporate Area. Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Parliament last evening (May 15) outlined several measures to improve water production capacity in Kingston and St. Andrew. At present, the water levels in the Mona Reservoir is at 27 Percent and the Hermitage Dam, 33 percent. Prime Minister Holness said the major upgrade of the transmission system and the construction of a 15-million-gallon water treatment plant on the Rio Cobre in St Catherine will improve water supply and meet future water needs. The Prime Minister said it will cost some US$160 million to upgrade some water distribution systems in the Corporate Area. “We are nearing completion of the water works along both Hagley Park Road and Constant Spring Road. Once finished, we will see upgraded transmission mains and a more reliable system of distribution in the areas”, stated Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness expressed hope for rainfall in the coming months to increase the water levels in the storage facilities. “We…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness left the island this morning (May 15) for the United States. The Prime Minister will visit former Prime Minister the Most Hon. Edward Seaga, who is in hospital. On his return, the Prime Minister will update the nation. Prime Minister Holness will return to the island this evening. During the Prime Minister's brief absence from the island, Audley Shaw, Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries will be in charge of Government.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the appointment of Mr Robert Nesta Morgan to the Upper House of Parliament. Prime Minister Holness asked Governor General Sir Patrick Allen in writing, to make the appointment. Mr Morgan was this afternoon (May 9) sworn in by the Governor General during a brief ceremony at Kings House. Senator Morgan will also serve as Parliamentary Secretary. He completes the slate of 13 Government Senators. Senator Morgan previously served as the Director of Communications at the Office of the Prime Minister. He is a graduate of the University of the West Mona and the Clarendon College and Garvey Maceo High Schools. Senator Morgan has extensive experience in media, public and private sector communication. Senator Morgan assisted in the transformation of Government communication which embraces traditional and new media.

Members of Parliament last night (May 7) voted, by a margin of 44 to 1 with 18 absences, to extend the State of Public Emergency (SOE) in the western parishes of St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland. Speaking on the Emergency Powers Resolution 2019 in Parliament, Prime Minister Andrew Holness noted that State of Public Emergency is a tool in assisting in crime fighting. He said the State must act to protect its citizens. “Nobody can argue that 183 murders per one 100,000 is not an emergency when the regional average, which is the highest region in the world, is 16. Had we maintained the SOE; my view is that presently we would have brought, St. James [murder rate] way down,’ said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister presented figures from 2017 to 2019 on murders in the western parishes. He pointed out that following the implementation of the SOE in St. James in 2017, the murder rate for the parish declined significantly. Prime Minister Holness noted that the security chiefs advised that 56 gangs were operating in the three parishes now under the SOE with 17 engaged in open war. “Mr Speaker, where we are at now, I consider it…