News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the planned redevelopment of Heroes Circle and surrounding areas will involve consultation with the residents of the area. Responding to questions from journalists during his Quarterly Press Briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister today (Wednesday, August 15), Mr. Holness said public involvement is crucial to bring the project to fruition. “We can’t develop without the people. It was never the intention of the Government to just go in, and bulldoze and dislocate and remove people. Things require a process. We are not at that (point in the) process just yet. We could have gone and developed the project internally bring it to a point where all the details have been resolved and then we come to the public (instead) what we did was, while we are developing the project internally, we are informing the public,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister argued that there is an existing gap in how information is disseminated in the public domain which makes the Government appear devious in its intent to transform and develop the Heroes Circle area. Prime Minister Holness underscored the need for a transformation that will benefit all. “I say to Jamaica, action…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today continued his review of boards from the Ministry of Science and Technology as well as the Ministry of Energy. Prime Minister Holness had previously stated that he maintains oversite of the Science and Technology Ministry for at least two weeks while he reviews the boards, systems and procedures. The Prime Minister noted that the Ministry of Science and Technology has not been moved to the Office of the Prime Minister. However, the Prime Minister stated that in the interim, the Ministry of Energy will remain at Office of the Prime Minister. In his address to board members of the relevant entities, Prime Minister Holness thanked them for their service to Jamaica. He stressed the importance of all boards functioning with transparency, probity and accountability. The Prime Minister reminded the Board members of the importance of review in order to ensure that policy guidelines are followed and that the actions of the Boards and the entities fall within the governance framework established by the Government. Since yesterday, Prime Minister Holness has met with the Boards of: Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica Government Electrical Regulator Joint Task Force - Petrojam Refinery Upgrade Project eGov Scientific Reseach Council Posts Corporation of Jamica NESOL Spectrum Management Authority

Prime Minister Andrew Holness this morning (July 31) met with representatives of the Umbrella Group of Churches, the Private Sector Organisation (PSOJ), the Jamaica Manufacturers and Exporters Association (JMEA) and National Integrity Action (NIA), following a letter from the group raising concerns on a range of governance matters. The Prime Minister met with the representatives from the various sectors for approximately three hours at the Office of the Prime Minister to discuss issues of public trust, corruption, accountability and the governance framework. The Prime Minister addressed all points raised in the letter in an open, frank and inclusive manner, which generated robust discussion. Prime Minister Holness reassured members of the group of his Administration’s commitment to decisively address corruption. He noted that inefficiency breeds corruption and pledged his continued commitment to strategically create an efficient and accountable Government. He said the Government is also committed to re-build public trust. The Prime Minister noted that his Administration has ensured there is no interference with independent investigative bodies such as the Integrity Commission, the Auditor General’s Office and Major Organised Crime Agency (MOCA). Going forward, all present agreed to: Do their part to ensure the administration of Government works efficiently, transparently and…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has summoned all boards associated with the Energy portfolio to an important meeting at the Office of The Prime Minister next week. The boards are being called in, to be given direct policy instructions by the Prime Minister who is the Minister currently in charge of the Energy portfolio. The boards expected to appear with the Prime Minister are: Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica National Energy Solutions Limited Wigton Wind Farm Petrojam Ethanol Limited Board of Examiners Jamaica Aircraft Refueling Services Limited Government Electrical Regulator

The Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) wishes to make clear that there has been no determination as to the leadership of the Spectrum Management Authority (SMA) Board. The Government is currently in a process of review of all Boards of the Ministry of Science and Technology. In this regard, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has summoned all Boards which report to the Ministry of Science and Technology to a meeting. This is in addition to the Prime Minister’s instructions that all Boards which fall under the Ministry of Energy, report to him next week. The review of the all Boards under the Ministries will inform the way forward for the leadership and policy direction of these entities. The Boards will be required to report on their activities and processes as well as receive policy direction on the way forward. The OPM wishes to emphasise that these processes are geared toward enhancing good governance, transparency and accountability within the country’s governance framework.

The state-owned oil refinery Petrojam is seeking to reassure Jamaicans that the increase in fuel prices is unrelated to matters in Jamaica. Petrojam says, the local prices are based on the price for which the commodity is purchased on the international market. The prices are adjusted weekly. The management of Petrojam says petrol prices have largely remained stable since the start of the year. However, General Manager of Petrojam Winston Watson says: “The Government has no control over fuel prices. Petrojam sets fuel prices which are set, based on international fuel prices. This week’s price increase is not the largest we have had. We had larger increases earlier this year and prices later trended down and remained relatively stable. So market forces and movements will cause a resultant move in prices.” Movement this week can be attributed primarily to two factors: International political issues The annual high peak summer travel season across the world Mr. Watson said world market conditions continue to determine the fuel prices in Jamaica. “The movement in prices have nothing to do with any domestic issue affecting Petrojam. Jamaica does not produce oil, gas, petrol or its by products and therefore we rely on purchasing the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has pointed to four critical challenges that should be addressed on multiple fronts by global leaders. During his historic address to world leaders at the 10th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, today (Friday July 27), Prime Minister Holness said leaders should enhance productivity, engage in trade, address climate change and ensure social protection, inclusion and empowerment of people. The Prime Minister said focussing on those four areas will “further the cause ofsustainable and inclusive economic development and to translate support into action and prosperity” for all. “In Jamaica we are using our limited resources more efficiently to increase production and improve quality of goods and services across sectors.  We are seeking to improve the capacity of small farmers to expand agricultural production higher up the value chain particularly through agro-processing. We are also seeking to provide support to MSMEs to ensure they can participate in the formal economy through access to credit and institutional support,” said Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness reiterated the need for engagement in trade noting that it is essential for growth in small economies. “For all of us, moving towards a sustainable future requires a determination to build resilience in the way we plan our cities, design transportation and communication infrastructure; and develop key industries across the globe. We join and reiterate the BRICS call for all countries to fully implement the Paris Agreement and for developed countries to provide financial technological and capacity…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Local Government has a special role to play in delivering critical services that directly impact the quality of life. The Prime Minister was addressing the inaugural Local Government Conference in Montego Bay St. James today (July 17) under the theme “Strengthening Responsiveness and Accountability within the local Governance Framework.” Prime Minister Holness said, his administration is convinced that the prosperity to which every Jamaican aspires can only be achieved if Government creates the environment to empower citizens. The Prime Minister underscored that Local Government is subject to the same national standards of accountability and is expected to deliver the highest quality of service. He said it is not a lesser form of Government and therefore requires a high amount of responsiveness and accountability. “Any agency of the state that is charged with administering the public’s resources must meet the highest standard of accountability and responsiveness. As Mayors and local representatives, you are the political first responders; you are generally the first member of the political class with whom citizens will interact. You represent Jamaica, community by community, house by house, person by person in the smallest divisible unit politically, that our constitution allows. You know…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (July 13) met with the Executive Management team and staff of the state owned oil refinery Petrojam. The Prime Minister was visiting Petrojam for the first time since taking over the portfolio of Energy on July 4. Prime Minister Holness was joined in the meetings by the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Audrey Sewell and Jamaican members of the Board Paul Hoo, Chairman as well as Rose Pilner and Wayne Powell. The Prime Minister held frank and open discussions with both the management and staff and reassured them of the Government’s plan to strategically make Jamaica energy secure and ensure Petrojam is a viable operation.