News from the OPM

Minister with responsibility for Water, Housing and Infrastructure, Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. says strategic alignment and collaboration across agencies will improve efficiency and provide sustainable solutions. At a Heads of Agencies meeting, held on Tuesday (April 9) at Jamaica House, Minister Charles Jr. encouraged full inter-agency collaboration. “Connectivity of agencies is critical. Agencies must understand each other’s strategic direction and collaborate so that the Government’s development strategies can be enhanced. This type of collaboration will increase our ability to achieve sustainable solutions”, stated Minister Charles. He added that ad hoc implementation of programmes will thwart the Government's efforts to provide sustainable solutions in critical areas of development. Minister Charles Jr. also reminded the Chairmen and Heads of Agencies of the importance of good governance. “All Boards must be guided by the principles of good governance in accordance with the Government’s thrust toward transparency and accountability”, explained Senator Charles. Updates were received from the Rural Water Supply Limited, National Water Commission, Water Resources Authority, National Road Operating and Construction Company, Urban Development Corporation, Port Authority of Jamaica, Commission of Strata Corporations & Real Estate Board, Housing Agency of Jamaica, Jamaica Mortgage Bank and the Rent Assessment Board. Senator Charles…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the immediate appointment of Senator Pearnel Charles Jr. as Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC). Senator Charles Jr. was the State Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. Prime Minister Holness today (March 25) asked Governor General Sir Patrick Allen in writing to make the appointment. The letter stated that “In accordance with the provisions of Section 77 (1) of the Jamaican Constitution and pursuant to section 70 (1), Senator the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. be appointed as Minister with effect from March 25.” Minister Pearnel Charles Jr will now work closely with Prime Minister Holness in the MEGJC on the Housing and Infrastructure Portfolio. In the meantime, Hon. Karl Samuda has been assigned to the Ministry of Education. He is now conducting an administrative review of that Ministry. Prime Minister Holness maintains oversight of the Education, Youth and Information portfolio as the administrative and governance review continues.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says careful consideration was given to reduce the National Housing Trust’s (NHT) interest rates. Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement while speaking yesterday (March 21) at the groundbreaking of another multi-storey development known as “The Cambridge” in Kingston. The Prime Minister assured the public that the NHT would not be negatively impacted by any of the policy decisions announced in his Budget Debate presentation earlier this week. “We considered very carefully in coming to our policy decision to reduce interest rates. We wanted to make sure that whatever we do the NHT would not be negatively impacted and we are certain that the policy decision that we recently made will not in any way negatively affect the NHT. What we have done is to effectively move the NHT’s assets out of government paper and put it where it was designed to be in the first place in mortgages for housing and now the NHT is a far truer reflection of the organization it is supposed to be and that is serving the interest of the people,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister also used the opportunity to remind the public of the new interest…

The Government continues to take strategic steps to transform the city of Kingston. Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the declaration yesterday (March 21) as he addressed the groundbreaking of another multi-storey housing development in Kingston. The Prime Minister asserted that the decision to develop and modernise Kingston is a means of encouraging more people into the city. “It is now time for us to take a strategic position of redeveloping Kingston. The truth is that Kingston’s carrying capacity in terms of population, could be well over a million, but the truth is that half of the population leaves every night and comes in every morning. What you want for a city for it to be vibrant and growing, you want the population to live, eat, sleep, play, do business right here and so you have to put in the amenities. Housing stock is important, the health welfare and amenities are important, security is important and once we start to have that what you will find is that a lot of the other problem becomes easier to solve once you start to have your population living in the urban areas,” said Prime Minister Holness. In that regard, the Prime Minister said…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a raft of improvements and adjustments, which will give greater access to homeownership for National Housing Trust (NHT) contributors. The Prime Minister has announced the increase in: Loan Limit Reduced Interest Rates on NHT mortgages Intergenerational mortgages Increase in Construction Loan Limit for NHT lots   The NHT has moved the loan limit by a million dollars from $5.5 to $6.5 million this means first time homeowners applying to the NHT can access up to $6.5 million. Additionally, interest rates will now fall by 1% for all mortgagors. “The ceiling of lowest interest rate band would be increased to $15,000 per week from the current $12,000, thereby allowing more persons to access the Home Grant, which is tied to this marker,” announced Prime Minister Holness. Regarding Intergenerational Mortgages, the Prime Minister said it will allow flexibility in how a family member can support the beneficiary in acquiring an NHT property. “In the case of the proposed Programme, the aim is for a younger sibling or child to agree to carry the mortgage obligation, subject to affordability, when the older mortgagor retires or dies,” stated Prime Minister Holness. He further announced that under the programme;…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described as a horrible tragedy, the attacks in Christchurch, New Zealand. Forty-nine people were killed, and 48 others seriously injured early this morning (Friday, March 15) in New Zealand when at least two gunmen opened fire at a mosque. Prime Minister Holness has condemned the deadly shooting, asserting that terrorism has no place in society. “I received the news with shock and great sadness. This heinous act must be condemned by every nation as it strikes at the heart of the values of freedom and democracy. I join with the Government and people of New Zealand in condemning, in the strongest terms, this incident and all acts of violence, terrorism and extremism, wherever they occur. Jamaica mourns with New Zealand.” said Prime Minister Holness. A formal letter has been dispatched to the Right Honourable Jacinda Adern, Prime Minister of New Zealand conveying the Government of Jamaica’s deep sympathies. Prime Minister Holness says Jamaica stands in solidarity with New Zealand as both countries uphold and cherish values of democracy. “The people of Jamaica extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims of these attacks in Christchurch New Zealand. We in Jamaica stand with the Government…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that by all accounts Jamaica’s economy is doing very good and could be used as a model to other countries. The Prime Minister made the comments today (Wednesday, March 13) to more than 60 resident Heads of Mission and Diplomats at the launch of the annual Diplomatic Week at the Jamaica Pegasus. Prime Minister Holness said that Jamaica is in a better position compared to years past. “By all accounts, Jamaica is doing very well, except for the opposition, and that is expected. Our economic success I believe, could be used as a model to other countries. It came at great sacrifices of the people and it came as a result of the building of social consensus,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister highlighted the significant infrastructure development projects taking place in the capital and noted the positive economic impact they will have on the regeneration of Kingston city. In that regard, the Prime Minister further stated that crime is a challenge for the country. He assured the diplomats that continuous strategies inclusive of social interventions are being implemented to deal with the crime monster. “So good things are happening. The Challenges; I…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness this morning (Monday, March 11, 2019) extended deepest condolences to the families, loved ones and colleagues of the victims of an Ethiopian Airlines jetliner that crashed in Addis Ababa on Sunday. All 157 people aboard, from more than 35 different countries, perished in the tragedy. “This is a tragedy of immense scale that is impacting so many families all over the world. Jamaica holds these families in our prayers. This is an international tragedy”. The Prime Minister expressed Jamaica’s particular support and sympathies to the governments and people of Ethiopia and Kenya noting that the flight was hosted from and destined towards each of those two sister countries respectively. The Prime Minister also stated that there was no indication that any Jamaicans were affected.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has outlined plans to make significant infrastructural repairs and improvements to the historic old capital, Spanish Town in St. Catherine. Allocation for the improvement work has been made in the 2019-2020 Estimates of Expenditure. Speaking yesterday (March 10) in Spanish Town at the ‘Ten Thousand Men and their Families March’ organised by the churches in the community, Prime Minister Holness said significant repairs will be made to the roadways within the town centre and adjoining communities as well as infrastructural development including buildings. Prime Minister Holness believes that Spanish Town should be a centre of knowledge for visitors and citizens alike to garner a wealth of history about the famous town. “You have so many heritage sites that in any other country, this little town would be a tourist destination. There are not many towns within the Caribbean that has the architecture, Victorian and later that Spanish Town has, and it is a sad thing to see it deteriorating and the citizens not getting the full value of the history. The Real estate that the prison is on, is valuable estate and it could well be a museum or some other attraction and in time these…