News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has pledged to ensure that there is gender balance on all Boards as well as in Government. Speaking at a special International Women’s Day Breakfast hosted at Jamaica House on Thursday (March 8), Prime Minister Holness said the government will do a better job in promoting and selecting more women to the Boards of public bodies. He also acknowledged that despite 15 female Parliamentarians in both the Senate and House of Representatives, more women must also be named to sit and Chair on Parliamentary committees. “We will ensure that this time around that we are proactive, deliberate in ensuring a gender balance in the selection of our boards. Many of our boards are now up for renewal. We will ensure more women are selected to be Chairmen and to sit on the Committees,” stated Mr. Holness. Noting that the status of women has improved today than in years past, the Prime Minister also acknowledged that the Government will continue to press for progress on behalf of women. Mr. Holness said that it is his desire to ensure that the entire male cohort speak up for women. “That is a conversation being had internally and I am certain…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has underscored that climate smart solutions in the agriculture sector is critical to Jamaica achieving economic growth and development. Speaking at the United Nations Food and Agriculture (FAO) 35th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean in Montego Bay on Wednesday (March 7), Mr. Holness said that smart climate solutions will assist Jamaica’s conservation efforts. “We continue to push the integration of technology in improving irrigation systems, expanding the impact of our agro-park systems and expanding the use of renewable energy,” said Mr. Holness. The Prime Minister said that while there is still heavy reliance on manual processes in agriculture across the region, he believes that the country must continue to appreciate the exponential value that can be created if agriculture and technology are infused. “We must integrate climate smart solutions in our food related policies and programmes. Zero hunger that is our final destination and I am confident that we will meet this goal,” said Prime Minister Holness. He further stated that while the government recognizes that high energy costs is a barrier to increased growth and competitiveness in agriculture, The Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology will also explore the utilization of Bio-Fuels…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says there must be a transformed justice system within the framework of the long held proud tradition of judicial independence. The Prime Minister was speaking this morning [Thursday march 1] at the Ceremony at King’s House to confirm the Honourable Mr. Justice Bryan Sykes as Chief justice of Jamaica. Mr. Holness said for effective governance, transformation and accountability where all Jamaicans benefit, there must be executive and judicial will. “Generally this will to promote transformational actions, has manifested itself in not only in the legislation we have passed but the encouragement of a system of accountability throughout the government,” stated Prime Minister Holness. Mr. Holness noted that the Government is committed to improving the justice system and noted that this financial year will see further investments in the justice system to ensure timely justice outcomes. The Government has allocated an 8% increase to the judicial branch in this year’s 2018/19 estimates of expenditure. Mr. Holness pointed out that the Government recognizes that there must be a strong system of accountability to ensure positive results. “All arms of the Government must work together to achieve the objectives of efficiency and accountability. The Government has a responsibility to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government is acting in the interest of the citizens in moving to advance a national system which identifies every Jamaican. The Prime Minister says a large part of the solution to formalize the economy and society is harnessing the benefits of technology as a catalyst in the transforming Jamaica. “What we are doing with creating now a unique ID, digital platform for communication and exchange of information for government, and using technology to enforce law enforcement and increase the speed of doing business is one part of the general strategy of public sector transformation. So the loan that Minister Shaw signed today is a firm step in that direction,” stated Prime Minister Holness. He said that the government is cognizant of the challenges that exist as well as the trust issues that Jamaicans may have as it relates to their information. Mr. Holness contends that Jamaicans have a right to the protection of their information through Government, however they should not be anonymous. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the government has not always been scrupulous with people’s information or how they’ve used it but that, it is not an excuse for the government not…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the role of the government is to ensure that the public sector works efficiently to provide services for Jamaicans in an effective and timely manner. The Prime Minister made it clear that the government is responsible for ensuring equal opportunity for access to all in the country. “My role is to make sure that government is effective in everything that it does. The Prime Minister must make sure that all the people who provide public service, whether it is garbage collection, security or justice that all of them do their jobs, do it well and provide services for the people of the country,” stated Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday (February 23) at the handing over ceremony to new homeowners at the Estuary Housing Development in St. James. He emphasized that the solution to the ills affecting the country is reforming the existing institutions using its current resources. “You now have to deliver better services meaning more efficient and timely output, more efficient and timely outcomes with equal opportunity for access to all,” affirmed Mr. Holness. Mr. Holness said he is committed to ensuring that citizens receive quality services while holding the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government has taken a deliberate approach to diversifying Jamaica’s energy source. He says the Government continues to work assiduously to ensure that renewables play a greater part in Jamaica’s energy mix. Speaking on Thursday (February 22) at the Official Naming of Petrojam Limited’s Corporate Office Building as The Edward Seaga Building, Mr. Holness stated that work is being done to secure greater energy security by incorporating more sources of renewable energy. “We are now at approximately 18% of our electricity needs being generated by renewables. We are track to being able to supply 30% of our electricity needs using renewables, and that would ensure that Jamaica has real energy security,” stated Mr. Holness. Prime Minister Holness said the Government is also looking to increase the usage of biofuels renewable energy. He further stated that there is tremendous opportunity in upgrading the facility as the government is making financial commitments toward improving and upgrading the refinery. He said this will result in supplying not just Jamaica’s energy needs but also the needs of the region. “That would ensure that Jamaica has a real energy security. The best way to ensure against volatility [not subject to…

Members of the House of Representatives during its sitting yesterday (January 30) unanimously voted in favour of the resolution to extend the State of Public Emergency in St. James until May 2, 2018. The resolution which was put forward by Prime Minister Andrew Holness was supported by all 51 members present at the sitting. More than two-thirds majority voted in favor of the motion being carried; Fifty-one members voted in favor, while the eleven other members were absent from the sitting. In his opening remarks about the State of Public Emergency in St. James, Prime Minister Holness said that “it was not anticipated that all that is required would be accomplished in fourteen days.” “It is reasonable to expect that even with extraordinary powers, it will take some time to affect the situation in St. James, as intelligence picture is built and not only perpetrators but also facilitators targeted,” said Mr. Holness. The Prime Minister went on to explain that it is within that context that an extension of the State of Public Emergency and the Emergency Powers Regulations remain in force. An extension of the period must be approved by both Houses of Parliament by resolution supported by a…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reassured stakeholders of the Government’s commitment to restoring public safety and the rule of law order while dismantling the ecosystem of crime in the parish of St. James and the wider Jamaica. The Prime Minister, who yesterday (Saturday January 28) visited the parish now under a State of Public Emergency, met with stakeholders to get a firsthand view of current situation in the parish. He also visited two lock ups where detainees are being held. Prime Minister Holness was joined in the meeting by the Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation Dr. Horace Chang, Chief of Defense Staff Major General Rock Meade, the Commissioner of Police George Quallo and National Security Advisor Major General Antony Anderson. The stakeholders were drawn from several sector including members of the business, tourism, church, and civic communities in the parish. Prime Minister Holness fielded questions about the State of Public Emergency in the parish and assured players in the tourism sector that the Government has a comprehensive plan to limit any impact on the sector. In that regard, Prime Minister Holness announced that the Cabinet on Thursday approved J$100M for the Jamaica Tourist Board to increase advertising…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness revealed that he has asked the Ministry of Science Technology and Energy to fast-track a planned program aimed at replacing open flame light sources in homes with solar lights in vulnerable rural and inner-city communities. The Prime Minister's revelation comes after a deadly fire in his constituency last night which claimed the lives of three toddlers. “I am deeply saddened and have instructed my office to do all that is possible to ensure the safety and comfort of the children who have survived and also ensure that those who have been made homeless by the fire find shelter and the relevant supplies to begin rebuilding their lives,” expressed Prime Minister Holness. He continued, stating that he has also instructed that an audit is done of all households in his constituency to determine which depend on open light sources so that they can urgently be replaced. This is the second fire in as many weeks that has claimed the lives of children and the Prime Minister reiterated that more can be done to stem the danger. “We must do more as a society and a government to educate persons on fire safety.  The government has a role to play and we will be ensuring that no Jamaican has to use kerosene lamps…