News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is set to lead the Cabinet into a three-day Retreat beginning tomorrow, Wednesday, January 10. Prime Minister Holness and members of his Cabinet will discuss several important national matters including the ongoing public sector wage negotiations, issues of national security and safety, economic growth, as well as plans for the 2018/2019 Budget. The Retreat is scheduled to take place at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has once again urged the Church to be advocates in the fight against crime and violence. The Prime Minister reiterated that “the church can play an important role in dealing with this issue of violence”. Prime Minister Holness made the comments yesterday (January 3) while addressing the congregation at the 13th annual ‘Heal the Family Heal the Nation’ gathering at the National Arena staged by the Power of Faith Ministries. “Leaders you have to bring it to your pulpit. We can’t allow much of what is happening to be covered up, particularly the abuse that is happening within families. We must preach out against the fathers who are molesting their daughters. And it is happening within our midst. Some mothers remain quiet - don’t say anything about it; that daughter grows up with a lot of anger in her.  She has children and she takes it out on her children and all that those children will know, is violence. If you see something like that, it is not right. It cannot be accepted practice in our culture. We must expose it and preach against it”, declared Mr Holness. Violence is Ripping us apart In the meantime,…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness this morning (December 22) signed a condolence book at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) in honour of Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Information Service and Chief State Liaison, Ian Anthony Boyne. Mr Boyne died on Monday, December 18 at the University Hospital of the West Indies following a period of illness. The book, which is displayed at the Executive Lobby, Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston, can be signed by visitors to the OPM. Mr. Boyne served as Chief State Liaison for the Office of the Prime Minister, Office of the Governor-General and the Office of the Leader of the Opposition. In 2009, the Government of Jamaica recognized his contribution to journalism with the nation’s fifth highest honour, the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander. Additionally, he hosted the television programmes Profile and Religious Hardtalk and the JIS flagship interview programme, Issues and Answers. Ian Boyne was also a Minister of Religion and the author of “Ideas Matter: Journey into the Mind of a Veteran Journalist”.

Former State Minister in the Ministry of Social Security in the 1980s and former Member of Parliament for West Central St. Catherine Hon. Enid Bennett, OJ has died. Ms. Bennett died in hospital this morning (December 22). In paying tribute to the former State Minister, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has described Ms. Bennett as a stalwart in Jamaica's political history. “Enid Bennett was an exemplary political representative. She holds the record as the first female to be elected consecutively to the House of Representatives for three decades. She distinguished herself in service to our nation becoming a voice for the less fortunate. She was a true servant of the people with her mantra 'I promise service',” said Prime Minister Holness. Ms. Bennett served as a Member of Parliament from 1967 to 1997. She first represented the people of Central St Catherine and later West Central St Catherine. “Though unassuming, Ms. Bennett was a trailblazer. She was unrelenting in her work to represent the people. She was a life member of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association; represented the Jamaican Parliament on a number of occasions during visits to India, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, Canada and the Channel Islands, and several Caribbean islands. Enid…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that Cabinet has approved the use of buses powered by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) in the island. The move is part of the Government’s thrust to greater energy efficiency in Jamaica. The Prime Minister made his pronouncements while addressing Red Stripe board members, employees and members of the media on Tuesday (December 19) at the Launch of Red Stripe’s Production Line 8 and Liquefied Natural Gas Plant. The long awaited historic pilot project will retrofit some JUTC buses to use LNG). The project is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year. “Just imagine when we have a fleet of buses powered by LNG and possibly electricity, because the Government is serious about energy efficiency. The right fuel mix fuels efficiency and economy. From the micro entrepreneur to the large manufacturer, energy is a critical input,” said Prime Minister Holness. The government earlier this year hailed the introduction of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) to Jamaica as a catalyst for economic growth and environmental sustainability for the island. The Prime Minister also stated that the country is making advances in terms of investment and the government must ensure that the thrust towards the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed a deep sense of loss, shock, and regret at the death of Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Jamaica Information Service and Chief State Liaison, Ian Anthony Boyne, CD. Mr. Boyne died this morning while at the University Hospital of the West Indies after suffering from several medical emergencies. Mr. Boyne was also a veteran Journalist, who entered the profession in 1975. For the past 30 years, he has been inspiring the nation as he shared remarkable stories of adversity, stories of triumph, resilience, and excellence through his television programme ‘Profile’. “Ian’s contribution to media is admirable and represents the power of good journalism. He has distinguished himself as a fair, fearless and balanced commentator. Ian was simply the consummate communicator. He has helped to guide and craft national speeches for the Offices of the Governor General, the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition across political administrations. His guiding hand, maturity and calm demeanour will be greatly missed,” said Prime Minister Holness. Mr. Boyne served as Chief State Liaison under Prime Minister Holness, as well as former Prime Minister’s Bruce Golding and Portia Simpson Miller and also three Governors - General of his time.…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the appointment of Senator Aubyn Hill as the new Executive Director of the Economic Growth Council (EGC). The Prime Minister made the announcement at a press briefing held yesterday (Tuesday, December 12) at Jamaica House. The primary role of the Executive Director is to manage the administrative affairs of the Council. In making the announcement, Prime Minister Holness said “I am satisfied and confident that Senator Hill will be able to execute the duties of the office very proficiently, but in  a way that at the end of the day all can be satisfied that Jamaica is serious about growth and that we will achieve 5 in 4”. The Prime Minister explained that the purpose of the Growth Council is to give the government critical support in establishing a growth policy. Among its functions are to develop policies to spur growth, create a doctrine of growth within the public sector, help to hold the government accountable and coordinate large projects that can add to the growth of the country. The Economic Growth Council, which was established in April 2016 has since convened 170 meetings in the process of trying to get the public sector…

Parliament has approved the extension of the Zones of Special Operations in Mount Salem, St. James and Denham Town, Kingston. Prime Minister Andrew Holness this week (Wednesday, December 6) sought the approval of Parliament for the extension of the two Zones. This is the second extension for Mount Salem and the first for Denham Town. The zones will be extended for a further 60 days. Speaking in the House of Representatives on Wednesday, Prime Minister Holness said both zones have yielded unquestionable results and their impact cannot be overstated. “To date, there has been no report of murders, serious crimes or abuse of state actors in either of the zones. In fact, for months the residents of both communities have been able to experience and enjoy an environment characterized by calm and stability”, he noted. Mr Holness explained that the programmes of social intervention established in the two zones require long term focus for the effective delivery of social services and infrastructural investment. Some intervention activities are already underway in the Mount Salem community and are expected to intensify as the month progresses. Among the activities slated to take place include road improvement works, drainage infrastructure and solid waste management.…

The major Constant Spring Road corridor is to be improved from its current structure to a four lane roadway. The infrastructure programme is part of the Government’s continued pursuit of its national development agenda to improve the country’s road network. Prime Minister Andrew Holness and the contractors China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) yesterday (Tuesday December 5) signed a contract at Jamaica House for improvement works to be done to the roadway. The proposed programme of works to be carried by the National Works Agency in partnership with CHEC is slated to cost US$19 million. “It is critical to our overall plan to improve commuting within the city of Kingston but between Kingston and the adjoining parishes. The Constant Spring road literally connects air and seaports to the tourism dependent parishes of St. Mary and Portland”, explained Prime Minister Holness. The project is aimed at improving the quality of the roadway from Norbook Drive to Red Hills/Eastwood Park intersection. Currently some 30,000 vehicles use the two lane corridor carrying approximately 1,600 vehicles per hour. This is expected to double after the completion of the project. Prime Minister Andrew Holness pointed out that the project is not just an infrastructure development project…