News from the OPM

The Government of Jamaica, through the Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT), is intensifying efforts to safeguard citizens against growing cyber threats by promoting greater awareness, stronger personal responsibility, and improved digital practices. Speaking today at a Post Cabinet Press Briefing, Director of JaCIRT, Lieutenant Colonel Godphey Sterling, highlighted Jamaica’s vulnerability to cybercrime and underscored the importance of citizens playing their part in national cyber resilience. “Cybercrime, if it were a nation, would be the third largest economy in the world,” Lt. Col. Sterling warned. “For Jamaica, with more than three million daily internet connections, most from mobile devices, our exposure is significant. Weak passwords, careless handling of data, and oversharing online make us attractive targets.” The JaCIRT has identified three major risks affecting Jamaicans: Compromised Credentials—Using work emails and passwords on unsecured websites or platforms exposes entire organizations. Poor Data Protection Practices—Unrestricted use of storage devices, unsecured data transfers, and inadequate workplace safeguards create major risks. Oversharing on Social Media and Smart Devices—Information shared too freely, coupled with “always listening” smart technology, makes individuals more vulnerable to breaches. Lt. Col. Sterling urged citizens to adopt stronger “cyber hygiene” practices, including updating devices regularly, reducing unnecessary digital footprints, segmenting home…

The Government of Jamaica signals a strong commitment to tackling cyber threats with a month-long series of activities to mark Cybersecurity Awareness Month, under the national theme “Secure Today – Smarter Tomorrow.” Speaking this morning (October 1, 2025) at a Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Godphey Sterling, Director of the Jamaica Cyber Incidents Response Team, JaCirt, outlined the Government’s strategy to address the risks associated with cybercrime, emphasizing both national preparedness and the critical need for a cultural shift in how Jamaicans approach online safety. In his remarks, Lieutenant Colonel Sterling underscored the importance of building resilience from the ground up: “What we really want is to impact all our constituents at the mindset level in terms of how you treat with cyber security. And so, the key focus areas that we’re looking at for this year are what are the risks that are associated with cyber security and how we approach it. If we think just about the threats but not the impact, then we sometimes don’t appreciate the risks that come with it.” Sterling explained that the month’s activities will be structured in weekly phases: Week One will examine how the public sector…

The National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Warren Vernon as its first Executive Director, effective October 1, 2025. Dr. Vernon brings extensive expertise in national initiatives, strategic and operational management, digital identification, civil registration, and digital transformation. His leadership will guide NIRA as it advances its mission to provide citizen-focused services and expand enrolment and registration coverage across Jamaica. Dr. Vernon holds a Bachelor of Science in Computing and Information Technology from the University of Technology, a Master’s in Management Information Systems from the University of the West Indies, and a Doctorate in Education from Maryville University. He also holds professional certifications in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, leadership, project management, and accounting. “It is an honour to be appointed as NIRA’s Executive Director,” said Dr. Vernon. “I look forward to working with the Authority, its staff, and partners to strengthen access to identity documents and support Jamaica’s digital innovation goals.” Bishop the Hon. Conrad Pitkin, Chair of NIRA, welcomed the appointment, noting: “Civil registration and identification are essential to national development, and NIRA remains committed to ensuring these services are accessible to all Jamaicans.” With this appointment, NIRA reaffirms its dedication to building…

Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness calls on the international community to join forces in addressing the most pressing challenges facing Small Island Developing States. Speaking on Friday (September 26, 2025) at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States, the Prime Minister underscored that climate change, debt, poverty, conflicts and crime are interlinked issues that demand collective action. Dr. Holness stated: “Let us revitalize multilateralism and recommit to building a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable world. The challenges before us; climate change, debt, poverty, conflicts, and crime are formidable, but our capacity for collective action is greater. Jamaica has shown that with sound policies, fiscal discipline, and good governance, small nations can achieve great progress. But to build on this progress, we need an international system that is fair, inclusive, and responsive.” The Prime Minister highlighted Jamaica’s achievements in crime reduction, noting the more than 50 percent decline in homicides in recent years. At the same time, the Prime Minister emphasized that these gains remain fragile unless transnational criminal networks are dismantled. “This is why we call for nothing less than a global war on gangs, a coordinated international campaign to…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has charged the newly sworn-in Ministers of State and the Parliamentary Secretary with the critical responsibility of advancing the government’s national agenda with urgency, discipline, and integrity. Speaking on Friday (September 19) at the Swearing-In Ceremony held at King’s House, Prime Minister Holness underscored that the role of State Ministers, though often behind the scenes, is vital to ensuring the effective performance of government. “The government’s agenda is vast. No single Cabinet Minister can execute it alone. Your work will often be behind the scenes: chairing working groups, pushing projects across the finish line, meeting with stakeholders, and resolving bottlenecks. The public may not always see you on the nightly news, but they must be able to see your impact and value in the improved performance of government,” the Prime Minister explained. Emphasizing that the impact of their work must be visible in outcomes that improve the lives of Jamaicans, Prime Minister Holness urged the appointees to embrace diligence, discipline, and discretion. Importantly, Dr. Holness reminded them that their responsibilities extend beyond their ministries into parliamentary committees and legislative affairs, given the current formation of the parliamentary majority. In the meantime, the…

Following the appointment of Cabinet Ministers, Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP, has announced the appointment of a new cohort of Ministers of State and a Parliamentary Secretary. The following Members of the House of Representatives and the Senate are to be appointed as Ministers of State: Kerensia Morrison – Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Krystal Lee – Health and Wellness Delroy Williams – Local Government and Community Development Rhoda Moy Crawford – Education, Skills, Youth and Information Donovan Williams – Labour and Social Security Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn – National Security and Peace Delano Seiveright – Industry, Investment and Commerce Alando Terrelonge – Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Zavia Mayne – Finance and the Public Service Frank Witter – Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Tova Hamilton – Tourism Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert – Justice and Constitutional Affairs Senator Abka Fitz-Henley – Office of the Prime Minister Furthermore, Senator Marlon Morgan is to be appointed Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information. The above appointees will be sworn in by His Excellency, The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica, today, September 19, 2025, at 1 pm. With these new appointments, the Andrew Holness Administration reiterates its…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has placed succession and renewal planning at the heart of his administration’s agenda, underscoring that this strategy is crucial to strengthening the Government’s ability to deliver real results for the Jamaican people. The Prime Minister said the Government will keep making progress on what already works, while also embracing what must be done differently so that Jamaicans may receive faster, more reliable services, safer communities, and more opportunities. A cornerstone of the Prime Minister’s message at the Swearing-in Ceremony is that this third term is built on seamless succession and transition. “This third term will also be about seamless succession and transition, ensuring significant renewal in leadership, thinking, and approaches, but doing so in a balanced way, without unnecessary risks or disruptions,” he said. Furthermore, Dr. Holness emphasized that renewal must not come at the expense of stability. He said the plan is for leadership change and new perspectives, but in measured, responsible ways so that Jamaicans continue to see reliable progress and not simply change for its own sake. Building on foundations of stability, the Prime Minister noted that the task ahead is one of creation and unlocking potential for Jamaicans.…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has set clear expectations of the new Cabinet Ministers, citing that even though Jamaica has made important strides, there is still much more to do to deliver a significantly better quality of life for the people of Jamaica. Having secured a third consecutive term, Prime Minister Holness observed that the mandate rests on results and concrete performance. “The Jamaican people have spoken loudly and clearly. They have looked beyond rhetoric. They have looked beyond tradition. They have focused on and rewarded performance. It is because of measurable results, including lower debt, stronger growth, record jobs, reduced crime, better wages, and improved services, that they have given us this historic third term.” However, Prime Minister Holness noted that success is no excuse for complacency. Ministers must redouble their efforts to effectively improve the lives of our people. “This is not a time to grow comfortable. It is a time to recommit to humility, to service, and to performance,” he said. At the same time, Dr. Holness also reminded his newly appointed ministers that their roles are not rewards, nor a result of loyalty or status. Instead, they carry national importance, which demands discipline, sacrifice,…

Prime Minister the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed his commitment to leading Jamaica into a new era of transformation, vowing to make the nation a global model of greatness for small states. Speaking on Tuesday (September 16, 2025) at King’s House during his swearing-in for a third consecutive term as Prime Minister, Dr. Holness emphasized that his administration’s vision is to eradicate absolute poverty, elevate culture and creativity as pillars of economic growth, harness the island’s geographic advantage, and strengthen human capital development while modernizing government and fighting crime. The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of reducing violence, improving diplomacy, and ensuring that Jamaica’s global voice remains strong. The Prime Minister said: “Our mission is clear. We will eradicate absolute poverty, we will build an economy that provides opportunities for all, we will make Jamaica the safest society in the Caribbean, we will restore respect and values and raise a generation that chooses peace over violence, discipline over disorder, and love over hate. We will build a transformative education system that will produce a generation of confident and innovative problem solvers. We will make Jamaica the most efficient and least corrupt jurisdiction to do business, we will make…