News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says that the government will embark on a programme aimed at transforming the collection and management of garbage before the end of this year. Mr Holness was speaking at the LASCO Releaf Environmental Awareness Programme (REAP) Awards Ceremony today (June 7) at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel in Kingston. The prime minister announced that the government is far advanced in examining options for Waste- to - energy solutions. “The government has commissioned an enterprise team to look at waste disposal in Jamaica, from a national strategic perspective. How can we improve waste collection, solid waste collection, and solid waste management and importantly to look at the options for waste to energy”, said Mr Holness. According to Mr Holness protecting the environment is paramount for the government. He said that all Jamaicans must be responsible when disposing garbage, as improper disposal of plastic bottles does not only destroy our pristine environment but also pose a threat to our infrastructure. “Recently we saw some of the adverse effects of not doing so and especially now as the hurricane season approaches, we must take greater care and responsibility for how we treat our environment and our environs,” stated Mr Holness.…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says more needs to be done to support entrepreneurs who are the “agents of growth in any economy”. Prime Minister Holness was speaking today (June 6) at the official re-launch of the Richard Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship at Sovereign Commercial Centre, in Barbican. In endorsing the Branson Centre, Mr Holness noted that it is important to support entrepreneurs to impact the wider business environment.  He also applauded the decision to move the centre’s headquarters from Montego Bay to Kingston. The prime minister says the government is pleased to partner with Sir Richard Branson, Entrepreneur and Founder of Virgin Group, who was at the event.  “The government of Jamaica is very grateful to you and we encourage other business persons to do this, to make this investment in creating entrepreneurs. The more entrepreneurs we have, the more we will be able to achieve 5 in 4,” he said. Mr Holness added that, “it is great that you made yourself available for people to have access to you, to see you in operation, but more than that to invest your own funds in developing an ecosystem to support the kind of mentorship that is necessary for the next…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is this evening mourning the death of national sporting icon, businessman and philanthropist, President of the Jamaica Football Federation, Captain Horace Burrell. Captain Burrell died this afternoon in hospital in the United States. He was 67 years old. Prime Minister Holness says the death of Captain Burrell is a loss to many communities throughout the island and will leave a significant gap in the national football programme. “Captain dedicated his life to serving Jamaica. He had a dream that Jamaica could compete with the best of the best in the football field. He was dedicated in ensuring Jamaica realized that dream of being in the World Cup finals with the Reggae Boyz in 1998,” said Prime Minister Holness. At the time of his death Captain Burrell remained active in his companies as CEO and founder of both Captain’s Bakery and Captain’s Aviation Service. He is nationally known as President of the Jamaica Football Federation. The prime minister said Captain Burrell was one of Jamaica’s finest. He said Capt. was dedication to his people. “The nation has lost not only a father of our international football reputation but also a man who invested significantly in community development…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has expressed regrets at the passing of The Most Hon. Ivy Cooke, wife of the late former Governor General, Sir Howard Cooke. Lady Cooke died at the Andrews Memorial Hospital a short while ago. She was 100 years old. Prime Minister Andrew Holness hailed Lady Cooke as an outstanding educator who held several leadership positions in the education field. “Lady Cooke served the nation well. She was passionate about education, child development and guidance counselling.” In extending sympathies to Lady Cooke’s family, Prime Minister Holness said “I extend most sincere condolences to her family and friends. During this difficult time, I pray they will be comforted by the wonderful memories they shared with her.” Lady Cooke is survived by two sons, Justice Howard Fitz-Arthur Cooke, retired Judge of the Court of Appeal; and Richard Washington McDermott Cooke, hotelier; and daughter, Audrey Faith Cooke, a consultant in international affairs. She was born June 27, 1916. Lady Ivy Lucille Cooke (nee Pyee) married Howard Cooke in July 1939 and served with him at Kings House from 1991-2006.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is expressing shock at the recent incidents terror in the United Kingdom and has extended the support and sympathies of the Government of Jamaica to the victims of the attacks on London Bridge and Borough Market in the UK. The Prime Minister also pledged the Government's support in the global fight against terrorist attacks. According to the Prime Minister: "No society should be so impacted by these wanton and heartless acts. Undoubtedly, all well-thinking countries of the world stand with the UK Government and its people in rejecting these attempts to undermine their way of life."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica has today confirmed that neither Jamaican Immigration or Customs officials, nor any security personnel retained by the Government of Jamaica conducted a search on a Trinidadian Minister of Government at the Norman Manley International Airport. The Ministry was responding to media reports of an incident in which the Hon. Ayanna Webster-Roy, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago was searched, immediately prior to boarding an international flight on Friday, June 2, 2017.  The reports allege that the search was conducted by Jamaican immigration authorities notwithstanding their having been aware of the Minister’s official status. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. Kamina Johnson Smith, in speaking on the matter said “Our initial enquiries indicate that a search took place, but that it was conducted by a private security company retained by the international airline on which the Minister and her delegation were travelling.  Furthermore, we are advised that such searches are generally undertaken by the airline under international conventions, and are based on random computer selection for additional security screening.” The Minister continued, “While we regret the Minister’s distress, our enquiries…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the state must guarantee a process to ensure law enforcement agencies use force in a way that creates trust, builds confidence, bridges the gap and makes the public feel there is no need to fear the police. According to Prime Minister Holness, policies must therefore be rooted in the requirement to find a balance between public safety and officer safety. “The use of force policy must underscore the importance of the preservation of innocent lives and it must go further. It must also underscore the professional obligation to train members of the security forces to the highest standards so that they are able to ensure personal and public safety and be able to operate in varied circumstances.” He was speaking yesterday (May 31) at the Caribbean Use of Force Conference at the Jamaica Conference Centre. The Conference was organized by INDECOM in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the British High Commission and the United States Embassy. The prime minister noted that the right balance is necessary to ensure that law enforcement officers will never hesitate to execute their duties for the safety of those they have sworn to protect. He added that…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says that he will be taking a closer look at the synergies between agriculture and commerce. This he says is integral to getting the country’s growth engine running much faster. “In the coming months I will be looking at the policies, administrative  and regulatory issues that need to be resolved to ensure that there is greater synergy, greater integration, greater connectivity between agriculture and commerce because that is what is going to drive growth immediately in the short term for Jamaica” stated Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking today (May 30) at the official opening of Trade Winds Citrus Limited’s (TWCL) new Tetra Pak Production facility in Bog Walk, St. Catherine. “We intend to maintain a very wise fiscal policy. We intend to maintain a policy for the expansion of credit and inclusive financial system. We need the private sector to keep on doing what it does best, create more jobs and more sustainable growth,” stated the prime minister. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness also added that partnership with the private sector will aid the government, in achieving its 5 in 3 economic growth targets. “We have been very clear that government will…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has strongly stated the Government’s commitment to its partnership with the international charity organisation Food For The Poor (FFP). FFP is a non-profit organisation aimed at providing programmes, including housing to help the poor. “Government values the partnership with Food For the Poor. This partnership has my full support as it affords needy Jamaicans a home with modern amenities which is delivered well below market rate at no cost to the recipient. At present it costs US$6,400 to deliver a unit with government providing US$3,200 of the amount and FFP providing the remaining portion,” said Prime Minister Holness. The prime minister stated his commitment during a meeting with Chairman of Food For The Poor Jamaica, Andrew Mahfood and his deputy Chris Bicknell. The Government has been partnering with the organisation to provide housing for needy Jamaicans across the country. In the meantime, the prime minister says the Cabinet is also in full support of the work that FFP continues to conduct for the benefit of the Jamaican people. He has instructed that the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation and FFP begin early discussions for a new contract prior to the expiration of the existing…