News from the OPM

The Government of Jamaica has announced a ban on the importation, manufacture and distribution of three types of plastic products effective January 1, 2019. The historic move is part of a phased process of reducing the country’s use of plastics and plastic-based products and to regulate specific categories of plastic packaging materials. Minister with Responsibility for the Environment, Hon. Daryl Vaz made the announcement today (September 17) during a press briefing at Jamaica House. Measures to be implemented are as follows: Single Use Plastic Carrier/Shopping Bags As at January 1, 2019, the Government will impose a ban on the import, manufacture, distribution and use of all single-use plastic carrier bags with dimensions at and below 24 inches by 24 inches (24”x24”), which includes those bags commonly referred to locally as ‘scandal bags’ and ‘T-shirt bags’, used primarily in the retail and wholesale sectors. Minister Vaz stated that manufacturers and importers of single-use shopping bags made of polyethylene, and such products must apply to the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) for limited exemptions. These applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis for continued manufacture and importation, allowable not later than January 1, 2021. Expanded Polystyrene Foam Commencing January 1,…

Over 250 graphic drawing tablets valued at approximately J$21 million were delivered in August to twelve vocational and tertiary training institutions for their animation training programmes. A second delivery of 57 high-end and larger graphic drawing tablets will be delivered, shortly, to the institutions. The upgrading of animation hardware and software is a key element in strengthening existing animation programmes in Jamaica. The project is being supported by the Youth Employment in the Digital and Animation Industries (YEDAI) Project in the Office of The Prime Minister. “Bringing the current technology up to date will allow training institutions to remain competitive and relevant for a number of years to come and will ensure the long-term sustainability of animation training in Jamaica, even after the YEDAI Project is completed” explains Mr Robert Reid, the project’s Animation Specialist. A survey conducted by the YEDAI Project team earlier this year showed that over 380 students were enrolled in animation programmes at the tertiary, vocational and recently at the secondary level with the introduction of the CXC Cape Syllabus in Animation and Game Design. In addition, the tertiary and vocational training institutions have reported that enrolment numbers have been rapidly increasing due to the heightened…

The National Solid Waste Management Authority (NSWMA) will extend its nightly collection of solid waste to several areas within the Kingston Metropolitan area. The NSWMA has indicated that this service will allow for smoother operations and for the collection fleet and crews to move more freely. Nightly operations began on Sunday (September 1) in the following areas; Harbour View, Bull Bay, Shooters Hill, Bayview, Camrose, Copacabana Constant Spring Gardens, Havendale, Meadowbrook, Roehampton, Queensborough State Gardens, Ziadie Gardens Hughenden, Marverley, Pembroke Hall, Queensbury Duhaney Park, Patrick City, Cooreville, Washington Gardens Normal night operations will also continue in the Downtown Kingston Market District and Spanish Town, St. Catherine. The NSWMA apologises for the infrequent and late collection of waste. Nightly operations are necessary to clear the backlog and get more trucks to the various communities. The Authority craves the understanding of the public as it continues to keep the environment clean.

Under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister Andrew Holness, there has been renewed impetus by CARICOM Countries to tackle critical issues confronting the regional body. Yesterday, at the Ninth Meeting of the Prime Ministerial Sub Committee on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), the agenda items covered free movement of persons, skills, services and establishment, the role of the Private Sector and Labour, Travel Facilitation, with an automatic six month stay, and Contingent Rights. Heads pressed to move forward decisions from the Montego Bay Conference and to ensure that frameworks are in place to consistently monitor implementation of commitments by Member States. Tuesday’s meeting of Regional Finance Ministers as part of the Sixth Special Meeting of the Council for Finance and Planning COFAP, had fruitful discussions relating to the alignment of regional economic policies including region-wide deposit insurance and credit bureaus. Importantly, great strides were made pertaining to the alignment of regional procurement policies which will allow CARICOM citizens to take advantage of procurement opportunities across the region. Six heads of government attended today’s meeting signaling their commitment to resolving the issues impeding the success of the CSME. Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Foreign Minister Kamina Johnson Smith have expressed…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has highlighted the need for stronger cooperation between residents of Hanover and the security forces to further reduce the murder rate in the parish. Since the start of the year, the parish of Hanover has recorded an eleven percent decline in murders. Prime Minister Holness says while the reduction is encouraging, there is still cause for concern. “We have given instructions and directions to the security forces and I know that they have been successful in apprehending some of the persons who are alleged or suspected of committing the crimes but that is not going to be enough, there has to be stronger cooperation between the citizens and police to give up the criminals,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister asserted that the behavior of criminals in the western parish will ultimately impact negatively on its tourism prospects. “This beautiful parish should not be contributing to the murder rate and it is within the power of the citizens to put an end to it. That is the truth. I have regular discussions with the Minister of National Security and with the Commissioner of police and we’re looking at the situation here,” said Mr. Holness. While…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has condemned the gruesome murder of 14-year-old Yetanya Francis of Arnett Gardens Kingston. Young Yetanya was killed after she went missing on Thursday night. Her charred body was found on Friday in the community. Prime Minister Holness expressed outrage at the incident and said, “the thugs who murdered 14-year-old Yetanya Francis have no place in the Jamaican society we are seeking to create.” The Prime Minister said the police have assured him that no stone will be left unturned to find the heartless perpetrators. “I have spoken to the Minister of National Security and the Commissioner of Police. They both emphasized their resolve to ensure that the perpetrator or perpetrators are brought to justice. No society can survive the constant killing of its children and we all must stand united against these criminals,” said the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Holness appealed to anyone with information on the killing to report it to the police or to call Crime Stop at 311. “Witnesses do not need to fear that their information will be exposed as we have Crime Stop - 311, and other ways to give information. I am asking members of the community of Arnett Gardens as…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (August 27) met with the family of 14-year-old Yetanya Francis, who was the victim of a gruesome murder last week. Deeply moved by the inhumane act, the Prime Minister and his wife, Juliet Holness assured the family during a private meeting that the police will do all possible, to ensure there is justice for Yetanya. The Prime Minister emphasized that the Government will be relentless in ensuring Jamaica is peaceful, safe and secure for all our children. During the visit, Mr. Holness made a personal donation of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) to the family to assist with funeral expenses. The Prime Minister also personally committed $100,000 to Crime Stop for information leading to the arrest and charge of those responsible for Yetanya’s death. Additionally, Prime Minister Holness revealed that he has instructed the Ministry of National Security to set aside resources from the 100 million dollar “get the guns campaign”, launched last year, to incentivize information sharing that leads to the arrest and charge of child murderers, molesters and traffickers. Young Yetanya was killed after she went missing on the night of August 23 (Thursday). Her charred body was found on Friday mere metres…

The world has undoubtedly lost a great humanitarian icon in the person of Kofi Annan, former Secretary General of the United Nations. Mr Annan died this morning (Saturday, August 18). He was 80. Mr Annan served with distinction during his two-term tenure from 1997 to 2006 and was the epitome of a dedicated and committed international civil servant. He was the second person from Africa and the first black African to hold this high office, but he also stood out in several other ways as leader of the world body. Amongst his most significant pursuits was his persistent call for Governments to be held accountable for the treatment of their people. The former UN Secretary General was also an architect of the Millennium Development Goals which, for the first time, set global targets on issues such as poverty and child mortality. These and other humanitarian accomplishments earned him the Nobel Peace Prize jointly with the UN in 2001. The Government and people of Jamaica join me in extending sincerest condolences to his family and his homeland Ghana, in this time of deep mourning.

As promised, the Government has reviewed the longstanding practice of prohibiting women wearing sleeveless attire, from entry into government buildings. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has formally given instructions for the suspension of the no-sleeveless policy and instructed a full review of government dress code practices. It has been found, that while the practice exists to prohibit persons who wear sleeveless from entering Government buildings through “dress codes” established within particular Ministries, Departments and Agencies, there is no law or official government policy on which these are based. The Cabinet has taken note of the concerns expressed by members of the public and empathizes with the unfortunate experiences shared primarily by women in both extreme and everyday circumstances. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness instructed the Cabinet Secretary to write to Ministries, Departments and Agencies to make them aware that they are not to deny access or services to persons, based on their sleeveless attire, as this is not the policy of the government. To ensure the formulation of a proper policy, in the medium term, the Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport has been mandated to formulate, subject to consultation, a government dress code policy that is aligned with…