News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (July 10) made a personal donation to the family of fourteen year-old Tahj Rowe. Young Tahj suffered brain damage during his birth at the Victoria Jubilee Hospital. His story was featured in the press two days ago, as his family faces delays in the Court case against the Government which has spanned almost 14 years. Prime Minister Holness said upon reading the story, he was deeply moved. The Prime Minister said despite the Court case, he had to see Tahj and personally do something. “I was particularly moved because in my family, when I was growing up I had a family member who had a similar challenge and I am well aware of the challenges that families would face to support, maintain and care for persons with such disabilities, so I was very moved to reach out to the family,” said Prime Minister Holness. PM asks for current AG to examine the case The Prime Minister has tasked the Attorney General to examine the case while the Ministry of Justice has been asked to do what it can to speed up this process. The Prime Minister said there must be an avenue established in the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is very ardent in developing and maintaining an anti-corruption framework. The Prime Minister said based on issues emerging at Petrojam, he has engaged in a “process of discovery”. Prime Minister Holness was responding to questions posed by journalists this morning (July 10) following a personal presentation to the family of young Tahj Rowe. “We are still discovering, still interviewing persons, yesterday I had a long meeting with the senior management and staff of the Energy Division and Petrojam and we are working toward discovery - if there are other issues to be addressed,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister reminded journalists and the public that the process of investigation must take place in order to ensure justice. “The balance that we have struck, is to ensure that we as quickly as possible  investigate, discover, call to account, ask for reports and act on that because at the end of the day, the public has to be assured that we act on information that is factual information, that has basis in truth,” stated Prime Minister Holness. Responding to further questions from journalists, Prime Minister Holness said the Opposition would do a great disservice…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (July 5) held bilateral discussions with His Excellency Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, President of the Republic of Cuba. The Cuban President is in Jamaica for the first time since assuming office in April this year. His Excellency is one of two special guests attending the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting underway in Montego Bay St. James. During the discussions, Prime Minister Holness noted that Jamaica is grateful for the support received from the Cuban Government in relation to education, health and energy. “Jamaica certainly wants to develop our energy security. The changing global situation as it relates to the change in oil production shows that it is important. We are also very eager to expand trade in the region. This is a practical way of strengthening our ties within the region”, said the Prime Minister. Prime Minister Holness highlighted that greater levels of partnership can be forged in energy security and the transitioning for heavy fuel oils. The leaders also expressed interest in collaborating on issues of solar energy and agro-processing in the future. In the meantime, the Cuban President thanked Jamaica for its friendship over the years.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Caribbean Court of Justice is integral to the effective functioning of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. “A well - functioning Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ, is vital to creating and maintaining a regional community which works for all its members and for all its peoples,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking today (July 4) during the Swearing-In Ceremony on the Assumption of Office of the Hon. Mr Justice Adrian Saunders as President of the Caribbean Court of Justice in Montego Bay. Prime Minister Holness said Justice Saunders is assuming responsibility for a body that is integral to the effective functioning of CARICOM. “The Court’s judgments have a direct impact on the lives of the Caribbean people.  Landmark decisions like the Shanique Myrie judgment are testament to the outstanding, invaluable role of the Court in ensuring that each person enjoys the right to participate and contribute to the community and to share in its benefits”, explained the Prime Minister. He added that through its impartial and just application of the law, the CCJ has earned and maintained the confidence of the public. Mr Justice Saunders assumes Presidency of the CCJ following the departure…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has underscored Jamaica’s commitment to the principal objectives of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM. The Prime Minister was speaking last evening (July 4) during the opening ceremony of the 39th Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM at the Montego Bay Convention Centre in Montego Bay St. James. Prime Minister Holness who is also Chairman of CARICOM said the regional body must place specific focus on key issues affecting the region. “I take this opportunity to reaffirm Jamaica’s commitment to principal objectives of CARICOM, including the expansion of trade and investment opportunities for its members, the promotion of foreign policy coordination and structured functional cooperation,” stated Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister further stated that he will call upon Member States to ensure that all programmes and initiatives are strategically focused and geared toward meeting a process of reform. Prime Minister Holness addressed the issue of regional security and citizen safety noting that crime, violence and security will be one of the main priorities of Jamaica’s chairmanship. “The incidence of gun and gang violence, though on the decline in some member States, has escalated sharply in others with severe effects on citizen security and economic development prospects.…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has been specially invited to attend the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires Argentina and a Special Oceans Summit in Oslo Norway following his successful historic presentation at the outreach session of the just concluded G7 Summit in Charlevoix Canada. Prime Minister Holness who returned to the island yesterday evening was specially invited by the Argentine President, The Most Excellent Mauricio Macri and Her Excellency Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway. The Prime Minister held several bilateral meetings during his official working visit in Canada. The Prime Minister held talks with: 1. Her Excellency Erna Solberg, Prime Minister of Norway 2. His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta President of Kenya 3. Madame Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund 4. Kristalina Georgieva, Chief Executive Officer of the World Bank 5. The Most Excellent Mauricio Macri, President of Argentina 6. Jose Angel Gurria, Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Prime Minister Holness explored deepening cooperation on trade, agriculture and air services with President Kenyatta of Kenya. The Prime Minister is also seeking to increase technical assistance for the Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) with Norway. The Government of Norway has given partner assistance to CMU…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described Former Prime Minister The Most Honourable Seaga as a visionary, leader and statesman who did much for the cultural sector. Mr. Seaga played a pivotal role in the creation of the Cultural Training Centre now the Edna Manley School for the Visual and Performing Arts and produced several pieces of Jamaican music which became internationally known. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness has assured members of the creative industry particularly those involved in Entertainment Tourism, that the Government supports and will continue to promote the sector. The Prime Minister noted this would be a fitting honour of Mr. Seaga’s legacy. “Brand Jamaica is the patrimony of all Jamaicans and every single Jamaican has a right to benefit from it and I want to assure Jamaicans, particularly in the creative community that your Government stands in support of you and your Government, will do everything to ensure that you can benefit from the patrimony of your forefathers. This would also be a great way of honouring the work of our former Prime Minister, our former leader, a man who has sacrificed so much and has done so much in preserving and promoting the culture of Jamaica,” said Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister…

The North-South leg of Highway 2000 which links Kingston to Ocho Rios and the wider north coast of Jamaica, has been officially renamed in honour of former Prime Minister, The Most Honourable Edward Phillip George Seaga. The Highway will now be referred to as the Edward Seaga Highway. Prime Minister Andrew Holness officially declared the North-South Leg of Highway 2000 as the Edward Seaga Highway, yesterday (June 12). In his keynote address, Prime Minister Holness noted that, former Prime Minister Seaga dedicated his life to conceptualising and building many national institutions and that it is an appropriate and fitting symbol to rename the Highway in his honour. “Outside of the symbolic appropriateness, Mr Seaga’s indisputable work and service deserve recognition. As we seek to build a nation there must be a space carved out in the competitive political landscape for magnanimity, respect for leaders, value for national sacrifice and certain decency in honour and public affairs,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister called on Jamaicans to rise above partisan political ideologies and give due recognition of the work of leaders of the country. Prime Minister Holness said there must be a space in the competitive political environment, for the country to unite and honour the work of current and former leaders. “Our politics must rise above mean-spiritedness and the selfish sense of entitlement to the nation’s assets. I…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness left the island this afternoon (Wednesday June 6) for Canada to attend a series of official engagements including the Group of Seven (G7) Summit. The G7 Summit is set for June 8 and 9 in La Malbaie, in the Charlevoix region of Quebec, Canada. Prime Minister Holness will make a special presentation to the global leaders at the G7 Outreach Session. He will also participate in an exchange with the leaders at the summit. Ahead of the Summit, the Prime Minister will, on Thursday (June 7), engage a JAMPRO business meeting with members of the Jamaican diaspora and Canadians. Later in the afternoon, Prime Minister Holness is scheduled to host a Town Hall Meeting at the Praise Cathedral Worship Centre in Mississauga Ontario. Prime Minister Holness will address key issues of investment, economic growth and development for Jamaica and the other important matters. On Friday, the Prime Minister will depart to Toronto where he will meet with Canadian official delegation as well as the Governor General in Quebec, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette. Bilateral discussions are also scheduled with a number of key countries including Norway, Argentina, South Africa and Kenya. The Prime Minister…