News from the OPM

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with responsibility for Water, Works and Housing, Dr. Horace Chang says Ocho Rios is the best location and the Government is committed to ensuring that it will have the capacity to entertain all the cruise ships that will dock in the area. “I think it’s obvious that for more than one reasons Ocho Rios will become the principal cruise destination in the Caribbean and we have to make every effort to bring it to the standard it should be internationally”, says Dr Chang. Minister Chang made the statement while touring sections of the waterfront in Ocho Rios, St Ann today (May 12), with President and CEO of the Port Authority, Professor Gordon Shirley. The project which has three phases will see an upgrade of the facilities both marine and on land. The project is estimated to cost approximately US$20 Million. “International standards will make it very acceptable to all our visitors and also keep our local population engaged and involved in what we are doing”, explained Dr Chang. Areas to be upgraded include the Fishing Village, Reynolds Pier and reclamation of the beach.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness who is also Chairman of the National Road Safety Council, says the government is committed to reducing road crashes in Jamaica by 50 per cent by 2020. Prime Minister Holness made the pledge today (May 10) during a #SlowDown event, as part of activities to commemorate the 4th United Nations Global Road Safety Week at the Office of the Prime Minister. “Road safety is a priority for Jamaica. The government is making the commitment today, to reduce road crashes by 50 per cent by 2020. The public can look for a new Road Traffic Act that has safety features. These features will ensure that motorcyclists and pedestrians are visible while utilizing the roadways”, explained the prime minister. The Road Safety Council Chairman revealed that since the start of the year, up to May 5, 184,566 road traffic tickets have been issued. This represents a 24% increase over the same period last year. He also added that 313 motorcycles have been seized since the start of 2017. Ahead of the launch, Prime Minister Holness signed an Open Letter urging action on reducing and enforcing traffic speeds to a level safe for children in Jamaica, as well as…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced Lieutenant Colonel Martin Rickman as the National Coordinator of the Housing, Opportunities, Production and Employment (HOPE) Programme. Lieutenant Colonel Rickman was seconded from the JDF to lead the HOPE programme. Making the disclosure at a press conference this morning (Monday, May 8), Prime Minister Holness said Lt. Col. Rickman will lead the charge to identify opportunities across government where youngsters can be meaningfully engaged. The government’s flagship programme HOPE was first announced during Prime Minister Holness’ budget debate presentation on March 21. The HOPE initiative aims to provide opportunities for young persons, aged 18 to 24 years, who are not employed or enrolled in school or any programme of training. As National Coordinator for HOPE, Lt. Col. Rickman will liaise with various government ministries and agencies to ensure protocols and procedures are established under the programme. He joined the JDF in 1990 and did his initial officer training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom and was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant in the JDF. He has served in several capacities in the Engineer Regiment, including being given responsibility for Combat Engineering and Disaster Preparedness, Planning and Commanding Officer.…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government is embarking on a social transformation agenda. The prime minister made the disclosure while speaking at his induction ceremony yesterday (May 3) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus, in the Park in honour of UWI graduates who are or have been Heads of Government. One area of focus on the transformation agenda is social responsibility, where Jamaicans take responsibility for their own future and outcomes. “We do too many things and then turn around and blame others. We are not as conscious as we should be in the society about the number of children we have. Social responsibility means that you should have the children you can afford to give the best quality life,” said Prime Minister Holness. According to Prime Minister Holness, social responsibility is also about learning how to resolve conflict without the use of violence. This he said is the other area of focus, to transform Jamaica from a violent society. “As a society that uses violence as the first resort in resolving conflict, we have to change that. I am committed to changing this in Jamaica and we have started several programmes in that regard,”…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says a national conversation must begin about funding tertiary education. The prime minister says to expand access to tertiary education and make it more affordable, the government’s subsidy may have to shift from the fees to a subsidy of financing. “The solution has to be, how do we engage and encourage financial institutions, plus the government, to increase the pool of the student loan, make the interest rates affordable, focus on programmes where the skills that the country needs are given preferential or preferred treatment, greater programmes of bonding and at the same time expanding the offerings of the university,” he explained. The prime minister was speaking at his induction ceremony yesterday (May 3) at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona campus, in the Park in honour of UWI graduates who are or have been Heads of Government. Mr. Holness said the government will be engaging the opposition outside of parliament and within parliament to start the conversation about how to develop this new model for financing tertiary education. The Prime Minister acknowledged that the recent decision by the government to assist students who were unable to pay their tuition or had balances on…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (May 3) hailed journalists for their continued work in helping to secure Jamaica's democracy. His statement comes as journalists throughout the world celebrate World Press Freedom Day. The Prime Minister said "Governments over the years have worked with the media to ensure that there is a positive relationship between journalists and the State. This year we are particularly happy that this positive relationship has resulted in our improved placement on the World Press Freedom Index, as we have moved up to 8th in the world." “This government continues to have an open door policy towards journalists and we have put in place various protocols and approaches to build a strong partnership with the media and ensure that the country is always kept informed,” he added. The Prime Minister noted that while Jamaican journalists benefit from a safe environment, it is not so in many other countries. "We believe fundamentally that a free press is necessary for the development of strong democracies. This is why the government supports efforts at the UN for the appointment of a Special Representative to deal with the safety of Journalists." The Prime Minister said he is encouraging journalists in Jamaica…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is expressing regret and sadness at developments over the weekend which have resulted in two members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) losing their lives due to the vicious actions of criminal elements. The Prime Minister is reinforcing that recently appointed Police Commissioner, George Quallo, along with the brave and courageous men and women of the security forces have the full support of the Government in their unrelenting fight to protect the citizenry and themselves against criminal elements. Prime Minister Holness' comments have come following an incident on Friday afternoon where Constable Leighton Hanson of the St. Andrew North Police Division was murdered on Constant Spring Road.  Less than 24 hours later, Detective Sergeant Dale Thompson succumbed to injuries he sustained during a gunfight with criminals in January. Commenting on the tragic losses,  Prime Minister Holness said, “Detective Sergeant Thompson and Constable Hanson are heroes. I thank them for their courageous actions in confronting criminal elements. Regrettably, they lost their lives. I am deeply hurt at the outcome and our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and the JCF at what is a very difficult time, not only for the Constabulary but for all…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to increase the housing stock across the island in a timely and orderly manner. “We are going to build housing that you can be proud of to have them integrated into communities. Housing around which you can create a society that is secure, progressive in its thinking, that is at one with its environment, and that is productive and efficient”, said the prime minister. The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday (April 28) at the groundbreaking ceremony for Phase 2A of the Longville Park Housing Development, Clarendon. Prime Minister Holness said he has given the National Housing Trust, NHT, a mandate to build houses which will build communities and facilitate a progressive society. “We are going to build affordable housing but not cheap housing. We are going to build housing in which you can raise your families, housing to which you can retire, housing to protect you from the elements and housing that you can use as an asset to leverage for greater financial inclusion and accessibility, says Prime Minister Holness. Phase 2A of the Longville Park development will comprise 85 solutions, 43 Studios and 42 Serviced Lots at a cost of…

The National Security Council yesterday (April 27) welcomed the new Commissioner of Police and received from him a report and update of the operations and plans of the JCF in tackling and arresting crime, in particular murders, extortion and lottery scamming in Jamaica. A critical element in the general crime strategy agreed by the National Security Council is to ensure the integrity of law enforcement institutions and agents. At the last meeting of the National Security Council it was determined that Area 1, which includes the parish St. James, would be the focus of systematic polygraphing of police officers. At yesterday’s meeting the council was updated that 78 of its members who are deployed to Area 1 had been polygraphed to date. The Commissioner has instructed that members who had returned findings which raised concerns will now go through an administrative and investigative process where needed, based on the results of the polygraph. The council also had dialogue with the former President of the Republic of Colombia, the Hon Dr Alvaro Uribe Valez, on policies and actions that were taken during his term to significantly improve public safety and security in that country. Mr Uribe said that his administration was…