News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the Government will pursue a third Infrastructure Development Programme as a potential successor to the soon concluded Major Infrastructure Development Programme (MIDP). Speaking on Tuesday (March 19) during his contribution to the 2019/2020 Budget Debate in Parliament, Prime Minister Holness said the final scope of the proposed new programme will follow the framework established under the MIDP. “The projects selected for this second phase of major infrastructure development are based on technical recommendations, our economic development plan, and climate-smart considerations such as our Master Drainage Plan”, explained Prime Minister Holness. Some of the projects being considered and planned include but are not limited to: A proposal for a Ring Road around the KMA, The extension of the Mandela Highway Improvement Works, from the East-West Toll Road Ramp to the Old Harbour Roundabout. Improvements to the Half-Way-Tree area, and the construction of several Bypasses to both improve travel time and create a potential for expansion of several townships, to include: Lucea bypass in Hanover Hopewell bypass in Hanover Annotto Bay bypass in St. Mary Long Hill/Anchovy Bypass in St. James Port Maria bypass in St. Mary Drainage Projects to include, Marcus Garvey Drive and Maxfield Avenue…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has committed to gender equality as a priority of the Government. The Prime Minister underscored that gender equality is a part of the Administration’s prosperity plan. “For this Government, achieving gender equality is now accepted, understood and pursued as a condition for inclusive economic growth, social equity, human capital and socio-emotional development. It is indeed an integral part of our prosperity plan,” said Prime Minister Holness. Addressing the Women in Law Conference at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters today (March 8), the Prime Minister pointed out that much of the policy initiatives geared toward achieving gender equality was announced during the Finance Minister's Budget presentation. “Much of the policy initiative announced, many of them would have significant impact for women particularly women in business, small, medium-sized and micro enterprises and in Jamaica’s case, we pursue gender equality (and) we mainstream many of our policies for gender equality because for us it is important in tackling poverty,” stated Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister also stated that Government policy regarding gender equality must be geared at treating with issues of violence from a gender perspective. “For the Government it is not just a fashionable…

Jamaica is now a signatory to the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA). The historic signing took place at the 30th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM on Wednesday (February 27) in Basseterre St. Kitts. The regional MASA will allow for any CARICOM member state to move passengers and freight by air without having to apply for individual air services rights. The agreement, therefore, makes it easier for airlines in the region to operate both passenger and cargo in and out the island. Additionally, this agreement will allow Jamaica greater flexibility in negotiating air services agreements with other blocs. Jamaica has more than 60 air services agreements.

On Friday 1 March 2019, Prime Minister Andrew Holness chaired the monthly sitting of the National Security Council (NSC). The Prime Minister, while noting that the overall crime rate is comparatively lower than the same period in 2018, expressed his concerns regarding the unacceptable levels of murders and shootings across the country. Arising out of the context of the discontinuation of the States of Public Emergency (SOE), the Prime Minister proposed a new legislative framework, giving intermediate and specific powers to the Security Forces. To that end, the Council advanced discussions regarding the Enhanced Security Measures law, which is being designed to empower the Security Forces with the tools deemed necessary to disrupt criminal networks, reduce violence and increase public order.  The main elements of the framework for the draft Enhanced Security Measures legislation were agreed.  These included: Conditions that must exist to trigger and sustain the measures. System of accountability and judicial recourse to protect the rights of citizens. Specific powers provided, such as – search and detention. Persons designated with responsibility for use of such powers. This, the Government considers to be an important piece of legislation and is moving towards its completion. Notwithstanding the proposed new legislation, the Prime Minister…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has called on CARICOM leaders to act decisively, take action and build on the successes of the 39th Heads of Government of CARICOM Conference. Making his address as the outgoing Chairman of CARICOM in Basseterre St. Kitts this morning (February 26) Prime Minister Holness said the regional group must act decisively to strategically seize opportunities that the changing world circumstance presents. “During my tenure as Chairman of the Conference, the focus was primarily on overcoming the inertia which has, for too long, characterized our regional mechanisms and significantly impaired our ability to simply get things done. It was also important for us to press for progress on matters which would enable the average Caribbean man and woman to experience CARICOM in a real and tangible way, through the implementation of the free movement regime,” said Prime Minister Holness at the opening session of the 30th Inter-Sessional meeting in St. Kitts and Nevis. Under his Chairmanship, Prime Minister Holness led action in responding to the concerns of fair treatment of CARICOM nationals. The new Procedures on the Refusal of Entry was adopted and implemented in August 2018. Additionally, provisions in the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) Regime to allow…

Basseterre, St. Kitts: Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica can model Estonia’s steps toward becoming fully digitalized. The Prime Minister said there are many positive lessons that Jamaica can learn from Estonia’s experience in creating a digital society. “Estonia is a good example for the world to see. You have embraced technology and you are better off for it. Madame President, I must commend your country for leading on this very important matter as several countries grapple with how to transition into the digital society as part of the fourth Industrial Revolution,” said Prime Minister Holness. President of Estonia Her Excellency Kersti Kaljulaid explained that the Estonian society was welcoming and embracing of the transition to a full digital society. The Government of Estonia along with its private sector, conducts business online with services such as residency applications. Prime Minister Holness noted that the Government of Jamaica through the National Identification System (NIDS) and the Data Protection Act is moving to transition the society into a digital one. The NIDS will provide a comprehensive and secure structure to enable the capture and storage of personal identity information for citizens and persons residing in Jamaica. For her part, the Estonian President…

Basseterre, St. Kitts: Jamaica is now a signatory to the CARICOM Multilateral Air Services Agreement (MASA). The historic signing took place at the 30th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM on Wednesday (February 27) in Basseterre St. Kitts. The regional MASA will allow for any CARICOM member state to move passengers and freight by air without having to apply for individual air services rights. The agreement, therefore, makes it easier for airlines in the region to operate both passenger and cargo in and out the island. Additionally, this agreement will allow Jamaica greater flexibility in negotiating air services agreements with other blocs. Jamaica has more than 60 air services agreements.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is encouraging greater transformation of educational institutions through stronger partnerships particularly past students’ associations. Acknowledging that the budgetary allocation of Government to schools is limited, the Prime Minister noted that Associations can assist with specific projects at the institutions. “What the Government gives to the education system, certainly to the traditional high schools is not enough, we will be the first to tell you. What we do try [to do] however is to give you enough to maintain a minimum and uniformed standard across the education system, but schools have by their own resources and effort, have managed to use the little that the Government gives. Raise more to do more and we encourage schools to do that,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking at the Opening of the Ashenheim Stadium at Jamaica College on Wednesday, February 20. Jamaica College was gifted an (8) eight-lane running track courtesy of past student, Michael Ashenheim and the Ashenheim family who are past students. The facility is a multi-purpose stadium which is a project emanated from the Old Boys Association and the Board of management of the school. Prime Minister Holness said the donation is in…

Since taking over the Energy, and Science and Technology Portfolios in July 2018, significant policy, governance and administrative advances have been made. Through the Energy Portfolio, government’s strategic policy goal of providing real assets to private citizens and entities through listing on the Jamaican Stock Market has begun to take shape with the imminent initial public offering of Wigton Wind Farms Limited and a policy decision is now being finalized to similarly list the government’s shares in JPS. The Boards of all the agencies falling under the Portfolios have to be reconstituted where necessary and appropriately missioned. The Board of NESOL limited has been instructed to start the process of closing down the entity as a part of the agreed Public Sector Reform programme.  Yesterday, I tabled in the House of Representatives, legislation to acquire the 49% share of Venezuela’s in Petrojam. This is a major step to secure the viability and value of our national asset in the Petrojam. The Review Commission which I established to explore and advise the Government on the future options for Petrojam has begun its work and is on track to deliver its finding.  I have ordered a forensic audit into oil losses at…