News from the OPM

The Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Hon. Dr Horace Chang has held a series of discussions with officials and potential investors in China. Minister Chang who is on a week and a half working visit to the People’s Republic of China had consultations with the Chinese investors, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Jiuquan Iron & Steel Company (JISCO), operators of the ALPART bauxite plant in St. Elizabeth; and the Chinese Exim Bank. Minister Chang and Director of Communications at the Office of the Prime Minister, Robert Morgan were invited by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to participate in their - Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting in Beijing, China. Dr Chang held discussions with President of the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), Lin Yichong and Chairman of JISCO, Chen Chunming. During the meeting with officials of JISCO and COSCO Shipping Lines Dr. Chang was updated on the company’s progress at the ALPART plant and plans for further expansion and collaboration. JISCO also told the Minister about plans to use LNG as a fuel for its alumina works as well as building a new power plant which will provide additional capacity to process alumina. …

The Office of the Prime Minister is this afternoon rejecting a spliced video that seeks to present the tone and candour of the Prime Minister in a negative light, at the recently concluded OPM Live Youth Forum. Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Naomi Francis says the video which is circulating on Social Media is a clear attempt to mislead Jamaicans into believing something that is not so: "The video was doctored in a manner that doesn't reflect the tone and essence of the conversation and debate that took place. The interaction with the youth was engaging and positive. This spliced video is an intentional attempt to bring the Office of the Prime Minister and the current holder The Most Hon Andrew Holness into disrepute". According to Miss Francis, the Prime Minister has always been respectful of all views and maintains that he welcomes discussion on all issues including the National Identification System. Ms Francis is advising well-thinking Jamaicans to get the facts for themselves and not be misled by the negative use of social media by particular interests. "There was robust discussion at the Youth Forum and many important issues were addressed. It is sad that instead…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government remains committed to ensuring consultation is done on the National Identification System prior to implementation. Speaking at the OPM Live Youth Forum at the Karl Hendricks auditorium in Kingston on Wednesday (November 29), Prime Minister Holness said he, like other Jamaicans, find common ground wanting the best for Jamaica and for the country moving forward. Responding to questions for a wide cross-section of young people, Prime Minister Holness urged them to read the Bill for themselves and not buy into fearmongering, disingenuous, untrue and unfair comments on the legislation. The Prime Minister said the view from some quarters in the society that not enough time was given prior to the passage of the Bill in both Houses of Parliament are dishonest. However, he quickly pointed out that a robust programme of consultations will be done prior to Parliament approving the regulations to the NIDS Act. He said the discussions on creating a national identification registry started from as early as 1970. “There are 1.8 million Jamaicans who want an ID, and they give their fingerprint willingly, answering personal questions providing personal information and freely giving of their biometric, the Government has that now.…

The Government has endorsed a National Day of Prayer, Fasting and Repentance to be observed this Saturday, December 2. This special initiative is being organized by the Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches under the theme “Jamaica Repent and Turn”. The event to mark the National Day of Fasting and Prayer will be held in Half Way Tree square at 7:00pm. This will be followed by another event on Sunday, December 3 at Sam Sharpe square in Montego Bay. Prime Minister Andrew Holness signalled the government’s support at a press conference held yesterday (November 29) at Jamaica House. “I am pleased to be associated with this initiative. The government endorses, the government supports it and we encourage all Jamaicans to come out and pray”. The Prime Minister explained that “My job is not to lead the church in calling for prayer. I am following the church and my job as the political leader, executive leader of the nation is to endorse the call and the work of the spiritual leaders”. Mr Holness said he is confident the day will have an impact as the country grapples with the crisis of violence that is pervasive in the society. Last week the Jamaica…

The Government of Jamaica will host His Excellency Danilo Medina Sanchez, President of the Dominican Republic, who is scheduled to arrive in the island on Monday, November 27 for a one day State Visit. Upon his arrival, His Excellency Medina will be welcomed by a 21 gun salute.  He is slated to participate in a host of activities including a floral tribute at the National Heroes Park. He will also have robust discussions with the government, led by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. The meeting is aimed at forging deeper ties between both countries. President Medina will attend a State Luncheon hosted by His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, the Governor General at King’s House. At the luncheon, he will receive a national honour to be bestowed on him by the Governor General. Prime Minister Holness will be presented with State Honours of the Dominican Republic by His Excellency Medina. Danilo Medina Sánchez is Dominican Republic’s 53rd President. He has been in office since 2012. At the end of the State Visit, President Medina departs Kingston for Montego Bay where he will participate in the United Nations World Tourism Organization conference to be…

The Government has committed to provide emergency funding to assist in the recovery effort in Montego Bay, which was severely affected by heavy rainfall yesterday (November 22). Already $20 million has been identified and will be made immediately available. Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the city of Montego Bay received three and a half inches of rainfall for over 4 hours that resulted in extensive damage to both private and public infrastructure. There has been no recorded loss of life. Speaking at a press conference today (November 23) at the St. James Municipal Corporation following a tour of the affected areas, Prime Minister Holness said, “We will have to make some allocations from the budget. There will be some emergency allocation. Recently in Parliament I announced there would be some programme of patching; we will have to now take a second look at the supplementary estimates that we intended to table in Parliament next week because this will call for some additional funding.” The Prime Minister noted that the significant weather event brings into sharp focus the great threat of climate change and is calling for persons to become more aware of the issue. He further declared that intense weather…

The Government is to undertake an island-wide road patching programme. The announcement was made on Tuesday (November 21) by Prime Minister Andrew Holness in Parliament. The Prime Minister said each constituency will be allotted ten million dollars. The funds which are being allocated from the Road Maintenance Fund, the Tourism Enhancement Fund and the Consolidated Fund will also be used for de-bushing and drain cleaning. Work is to begin immediately. Prime Minister Holness said the country has been faced with unprecedented levels of rainfall since March this year. He said this extraordinary weather event has significantly contributed to the deterioration of Jamaica’s road infrastructure. “This [allocation] is to deal with the potholes that have emerged in our roads since the consistent period of rains that we have been having, and many Jamaicans I am certain will identify with that. I too drive on the roads and I have dropped into some of them and as the rains continue the potholes are getting deeper and wider…I expect this programme will make a significant difference in the lives of many residents who traverse the island’s road network,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Government has proposed that the each of the 63 Members of Parliament…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Data Protection Bill which has already been tabled in Parliament will strengthen the Government’s ability to protect the privacy of Jamaicans. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (November 21) as the government approved amendments to the National Identification Bill, the Prime Minister said privacy in the modern world must mean that the State is able to effectively protect the privacy of individuals. Consequently, he said the Data Protection Bill is integral to the implementation of the NIDS. “Every day Jamaicans give up their privacy. We give it up to Facebook; we give it up to Twitter, we give it up to telephone companies; we just give it up. And there is a notion that privacy is ‘nobody knows’, but that’s not privacy. What is privacy is that you have a State that protects your information so only those who should have access get access,” stated Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister asserted that the integrity of the state will be bolstered by legislation such as the Data Protection Bill. “Privacy is not anonymity. And in today’s State, more than ever, you need a strong, honest State with integrity to defend the privacy of the people.…

The landmark National Identification Bill has now been approved by both Houses of Parliament. The House of Representatives last night (November 21) approved the 168 amendments to the Bill made by the Senate. It is expected to be gazetted and signed by the Governor General in the coming days to become law. Prime Minister Andrew Holness who spoke on the Bill in Parliament said the Government has listened to the concerns of Jamaicans. The Government has removed the imposition of a prison sentence for persons who do not have a National ID. He said Clause 20 of the bill which also generated much public discussion, which provides for a fine of $100,000.00 if one does not comply, will be at the discretion of the judiciary. “I don’t want to appear to be insensitive to the considerations that have been placed in the public domain, and as a result of that though there is a fine $100,000.00 is a maximum, the Judge can use their discretion and I’m expecting that the Judge would. We have removed the option of imprisonment, totally removed it,” announced the Prime Minister. In addition, Prime Minister Holness also indicated that consideration will be given to persons…