News from the OPM

State Councillor of the People’s Republic of China His Excellency Mr. Yang Jiechi will arrive in the island tomorrow (September 11) for a one-day visit. Mr Jiechi, one of China’s high-profile official, is Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office and a prominent architect of China's foreign policy. During his visit, Mr Jiechi and a 12 member delegation will meet with Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Prime Minister Holness and the Chinese delegation will discuss a range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues including Chinese investment projects in Jamaica, One Belt, One Road Initiative and climate change. The State Councillor will also pay a courtesy call on the Governor-General, His Excellency The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen. Other activities include a visit to Bob Marley Museum and a meeting at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China. The State Councillor’s visit is aimed at enhancing the longstanding relationship between Jamaica and China and discussing mutual areas of concern to strengthen the strategic partnership. This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. China is Jamaica’s 4th largest trading partner behind the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Canada. His Excellency Yang…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is today (September 6) making contact with his colleague Prime Ministers across the Caribbean who have been affected by Hurricane Irma. Prime Minister Holness in expressing concern about the damage says “this is a period of assessment and planning to ascertain what Jamaica can do to assist our Caribbean brothers and sisters who have been significantly impacted by the most powerful hurricane to have emerged in the Atlantic Ocean”. The prime minister has been advised by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith that inquiries have been made in relation to the welfare of Jamaicans on the affected islands. Senator Johnson Smith says the ministry will continue to make inquiries through the embassies and consulates. The Foreign Ministry will update the nation on the status of Jamaicans as the information becomes available. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness has also been advised that Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Mr Ronald Jackson has briefed the Secretary General of CARICOM, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and Chair of CARICOM, Dr. Keith Mitchell indicating that their first responders are all on standby subject to requests from National offices in affected islands.…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (September 5) convened the first meeting of the Social Intervention Committee at the Office of the Prime Minister. Addressing the leadership and representatives of the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies that will constitute the Social Intervention Committee, Prime Minister Holness said they must focus on community and peace building initiatives. “Crime is multi-dimensional; it is not just policing which is needed. Community building is needed as well. What the Zones of Special Operations (law) is designed to do is to bring the security element but also bring the community building element – the peace building element. That is what the Social Intervention Committee is about,” he explained. The establishment of the Committee follows the prime minister’s announcement of Mount Salem as the first Zone of Special Operations on Friday, September 1. The Zones of Special Operations Act stipulates that a Social Intervention Committee must be established within five (5) working days of the declaration of the Zone. Highlighting the importance of the Zones of Special Operations, the prime minister said, “This is a well-organized strategy which will yield great results. I was there on Sunday (Mount Salem), we toured and the people on the ground…

The National Security Council (NSC) met today to discuss matters related to Zones of Special Operations, including concerns expressed in the media about the declaration of Mount Salem as a Zone. The NSC reviewed the process used to select the Zones of Special Operations and is satisfied that the decision to declare Mount Salem as the first Zone of Special Operations (ZOSO) was justified based on the relevant legal criteria, intelligence, as well as strategic and operational considerations of the Joint Command. At the press conference announcing the first Zone, there was an error in the reporting the number of murders committed in the community in 2017.  Nevertheless, the nature of the error would not have affected the decision of the National Security Council as it was limited to only one of factors used to determine the Zone. NSC shares the view that stigmatization of communities does not help the process of engagement and confidence-building between the citizens and the state. Given the need for complete accuracy in these matters, and out of an abundance of caution, JCF has therefore been asked by the NSC to review their systems of data collection, collation and reporting, to be doubly sure that…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness this morning (September 1) declared the first Zone of Special Security and Community Development Operations in the Mount Salem community and its environs in St. James under The Law Reform (Zones of Social Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act, 2017. The Prime Minister made the disclosure at a press briefing held at Jamaica House. The Gazetted Order of the declaration is dated Friday, September 1, 2017 and the zone will operate for a period of sixty (60) days. Prime Minister Holness said this is a new law for special measures for upholding and preserving the rule of law, public order, citizen security and public safety within certain geographically defined areas of Jamaica. “The rule of law must be upheld and preserved in every nook and cranny of Jamaica. We can no longer afford any area to provide a safe haven for criminals to hide. Zone by zone, community by community, square inch by square inch,  we will establish and restore public order, citizen security and public safety. We will make Jamaica safe again,” he declared. According to the Prime Minister, in accordance with written nominations of the Chief of Defence Staff and the Commissioner of…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness and his delegation have completed a successful one- day official working visit to the Republic of Chile. Prime Minister Holness and President of Chile, Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet met yesterday (August 30) and engaged in fruitful bilateral discussions. They explored matters of importance to both countries as well as regional and hemispheric issues. Other members of the Jamaican delegation participated in the meeting including Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Her Excellency Alison Stone Roofe, Ambassador to Brazil accredited to Chile and the Plenipotentiary Ambassador for Economic Affairs, Nigel Clarke.  Minister of Sport, Pablo Squella and Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz represented the Government of Chile. Arising from the visit, two agreements were signed to boost investment and regional trade; and enhance sport development to encourage physical activity among young people. Foreign Minister Johnson Smith who signed the agreements along with her Chilean counterpart said, “I had the pleasure of signing together with Foreign Minister Muñoz an MOU for technical cooperation between ProChile and JAMPRO as well as an agreement for technical cooperation for areas of sport and culture. Chile of course has expertise in gymnastics and tennis; Jamaica has…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is to hold a series of bilateral engagements with the Government of the Republic of Chile. The prime minister left the island this afternoon (August 29) for a one day official working visit to the South American nation. Prime Minister Holness will meet with President of Chile, Her Excellency Michelle Bachelet, to enhance bilateral co-operation between the two countries. He will also explore other areas of co-operation including tourism and business development as he is slated to have dialogue with senior managers and national businessmen of the tourism and hotel industry at the National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism of Chile. The prime minister is accompanied by Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,  Her Excellency Alison Stone Roofe,  Ambassador of Jamaica to Chile as well as the Economic Growth Council and Ambassador Nigel Clarke. The Prime Minister will return on Thursday, August 31. While he is off the island, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang, Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation will be in charge of the government. --30--

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (August 28) met with Police Commissioner George Quallo and senior commanders of the Jamaica Constabulary Force for an intense session on expectations ahead of the implementation of the Zones of Special Operations. The meeting was held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Kingston. This is the second meeting with the high command of the force since last week. The Prime Minister also addressed the senior officers at the Police Officers’ Club last Wednesday. During the meeting yesterday, the prime minister emphasised that planning is critical to the successful implementation of the Zones of Special Operations. “I have taken time to ensure adequate preparations are made before the first zone is announced. Use the process of law enforcement to exemplify proper policing. A key indicator of the success of the zones is that there must be no murders in the areas where you have control over,” stated Prime Minister Holness. The prime minister said he understands the public sentiments in agitating for the zones to be implemented as safety and security must be restored in Jamaica. “I hear the public outcry for the urgency of the Zones because murders are increasing and creating panic. So…

Acting Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Horace Chang is this afternoon extending condolences and support to the families of those killed yesterday (Friday, August 25) in Clarendon. Dr Chang says he is especially troubled by the killing of children which seems to be a growing trend by criminals. "I am deeply troubled by what seems to be a growing trend where these murderers no longer care who the victims are whether it be women or children," said Minister Chang. Dr Chang says that the current murder situation is untenable and that the government is working to ensure that it doesn't continue. "There are various initiatives that are being activated to deal with these challenging communities and criminals. The police are being given additional resources including training and we know that once there is a full roll out, the results will be clear to see and lives will be saved," said Dr. Chang. He added that he understands the outcry of those who call for the fast tracking of the implementation of the Zones of Special Operations. However, Dr. Chang says the initiative must be done right. "We have heard the calls from various sections of the society including inner-city crime plagued communities…