News from the OPM

The Government has allocated a total of $300 million to help financially-challenged Jamaican students at the University of the West Indies, University of Technology (UTech) and the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI). In announcing the Government’s commitment to assist the students facing financial hardships, Minister of Education, Youth and Information, Senator Ruel Reid said the allocation to the UWI was conveyed at last week’s meeting of the UWI Grants Committee at the Cave Hill campus in Barbados. The funds from the Ministry’s budget will be made available as at September 2017. In the meantime, amid reports that final year students at the Mona campus would be barred by the UWI administration from sitting final exams, if they did not clear outstanding arrears, Senator Reid said the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Dean-Roy Bernard was asked to arrange a meeting with the leadership of the UWI to find a solution to this matter. Senator Reid said an assessment of the needs of current students will be done to determine what assistance can be provided through the Jamaica Values and Attitudes Project for Tertiary Students (JamVat) and the Students’ Loan Bureau. “Any assistance will require community service and bonding,” he explained. -30- Ministry of…

effort to obey the speed limit and observe the traffic signs as they traverse the road network. Particular attention must be given to pedestrians and vulnerable road users, such as the elderly and our children”, said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister who is Chairman of the National Road Safety Council pointed out that the authorities have found that pedestrian error and speeding are main contributors to road traffic fatalities. “Since the start of the year, up to April 13, ninety –one (91) road traffic fatalities have been recorded. Of this amount, pedestrians account for 28 deaths, motorcyclists account for 28 deaths and drivers of private motor vehicles account for 15. The remaining 20 fatalities fall in other categories of road users. I am making a special appeal to pedestrians to utilize the pedestrian crossings and obey the road signals,” said Mr. Holness. There were 121 road fatalities over the similar period last year. While the figures this year are lower, the prime minister noted that he is still concerned about the number of fatalities. He also made a special appeal to motorcyclists and pillion passengers to wear safety gear as these can prevent death and injury. “Remember, safety begins…

Cabinet recently appointed seven (7) members to serve on the Generation Procurement Entity (GPE), which was established in The Electricity Act, 2015. The entity will be headed by Professor Alvin Wint, Emeritus Professor of International Business, UWI, as Chairman. The other members are: Mrs. Helene Davis White, President of the Jamaica Confederation of Trade Unions; Dr. Wayne Henry, Director General, Planning Institute of Jamaica; Mr. William Mahfood, Chairman, Wisynco Group; Mr. Paul B. Scott, President of the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica; Mrs. Rosemarie Pilliner, Executive Vice President, Scotia Group and the Director of Electricity Generation Procurement, Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET). The GPE, which reports to Cabinet, has responsibility for managing the replacement of existing electricity generation capacity and the procurement of new capacity. The membership GPE is that of the previous Electricity Sector Enterprise Team (ESET). The work of the ESET came to an end with the fulfilment of its mandate to facilitate the urgent replacement of baseload electricity generation capacity with lower cost fuel sources. The ESET also recommended the manner in which future electricity generation procurement should be managed. –30– Contact: Communications Unit-OPM Tel: 926-0244, 927-4101 Email: [email protected] [email protected] FB: www.facebook.com/jamaicahouse TW: www.twitter.com/opmjamaica Web: www.opm.gov.jm 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness this afternoon (March 30) received the final report from the Caricom  Review Commission. Chairman of the Commission former Prime Minister Hon. Bruce Golding presented the report to Prime Minister Holness during a visit to the Office of the Prime Minister. The Commission comprised 17 members, along with ex-officio and support staff, from a wide cross section of sectors in Jamaica, including business, academia, the private sector and trade union among others. The Commission met with several stakeholder groups including former Prime Ministers in the Caricom region as well as former Secretaries General of the regional body. In addition, the Caricom Review Commission held focus group sessions with Jamaicans across several parishes. Prime Minister Holness and the Cabinet are expected to review the document and its recommendations prior to it being tabled in Parliament. The Commission began its review last July. –30– Contact: Communications Unit-OPM Tel: 926-0244, 927-4101 Email: [email protected] [email protected] FB: www.facebook.com/jamaicahouse TW: www.twitter.com/opmjamaica Web: www.opm.gov.jm 

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says public order issues among other things are hampering the growth of tourism in Falmouth. “It (Falmouth)has so much history, the architecture is there, the people are there who are friendly and welcoming, but, public order issues, cleanliness issues, organisational issues of the town and just leadership is necessary (for development)” stated Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking today (March 30) at the ground-breaking ceremony for the Excellence Oyster Bay Jamaica Resort in Trelawny. “The town of Falmouth is a great tourism potential which we have not fully utilised and which I would like it to be known publicly that I am going to be taking a personal interest in ensuring that the town itself is developed”, said Mr. Holness. Additionally, the prime minister said the Government will be moving to correct issues within the cruise shipping sector. The prime minister said Jamaica must develop not only the attractions and the resorts but also the towns that are in close proximity to the resorts. This, he said, will ensure that everyone benefits from the sector. “Everyone wants a piece of the tourism pie but if you rush the pie it may fall and break…

Prime Minister the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has announced a new set of policies aimed at making home ownership even more affordable for National Housing Trust (NHT) contributors. The policy changes were announced by the Prime Minister during his budget presentation on March 21, 2017. The measures included a Housing Microfinance Initiative for low income contributors, 100% financing for NHT scheme units, reduced interest rates for persons with disabilities and increases in the loan limits for Home Improvement and House Lot loans. Majority of the measures are to take effect on July 1, 2017. As at that date, the NHT will increase the loan limit for Home Improvement Loans to $2.5 million, up from $1.5 million. With this new policy, two qualified NHT contributors can co-apply and access up to $5 million for home improvements. In addition, the loan limit for a House Lot loan will also be increased to $2.5 million from the previous limit of $2 million. The NHT last increased its House Lot loan limits from $1.5 million to $2 million in July 2016. The Prime Minister also announced that the NHT will be offering 100% financing for all the housing units it produces. This policy will…

The National Security Council (NSC) has given further policy direction aimed at improving citizen security and public safety whilst maintaining and protecting human rights. During its monthly meeting held yesterday (March 23) and chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness, the NSC examined legislation tabled in Parliament on March 21. In preparation for the passage of the Law Reform (Zones of Special Operations, Special Security and Community Development Measures) Act, 2017, which was tabled in Parliament by the Prime Minister, the Council agreed that members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) who could be deployed under the legislation should begin additional training in rights of citizens, observance of human rights and use of force.  This is to ensure that the members of the security forces will operate with a full understanding of the law and with respect for the rights and dignity of citizens. The NSC noted the ongoing concerns of the public that some members of the security forces continue to undermine the integrity and trust of law enforcement.  Coming out of the discussions, the Commissioner of Police will institute a broader programme of polygraph testing applicable to all members of the JCF, beginning with…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (March 21), announced the establishment of the Zones of Special Operations as part of the Government’s plan to secure Jamaica. Making his contribution to the 2017/2018 Budget Debate in Parliament, the Prime Minister said the legislation has been brought to the Houses of Parliament to ensure the special measures can take effect. The Bill entitled, an act to provide 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, or in short zones of special operations special security and community development measures Act 2017 was tabled in the House of Representatives. The Prime Minister said tackling crime requires a national effort involving management and coordination. “This legislation is designed to give effect to a well-established and practised security and community building strategic termed ‘Clear, Hold, Build’”, stated Prime Minister Holness. The prime minister, on the advice of the National Security Council, may declare any high crime area of Jamaica a zone for special security operations and community development measures. This Act forms part of the plans announced to secure Jamaica. “I believe in this Bill we have struck the right…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared the development of the logistics sector as a National Project. Making his contribution to the 2017/2018 Budget Debate in Parliament, yesterday (March 21), the Prime Minister announced that an Enterprise team will be established to deal with the country’s push into Logistics. “We will appoint an Enterprise Team led by Hon. Michael Lee- Chin, who is also Chairman of the Economic growth Council. The Enterprise Team will consist of public sector leaders and will, after relevant consultations with investors, industry stakeholders, regulators and public official,” said Prime Minister Holness. He said the government is committed to the goal of making Jamaica a centre for Logistics. “The Enterprise Team will seek to integrate the efforts of all the relevant project units, statutory agencies, Ministries and Public bodies into coherent, unified project team, capable of advancing the objectives more quickly and equipped to interface more effectively with international and local investors”, stated Prime Minister Holness. The government will develop Jamaica as a Logistics hub, with facilities for warehousing, consolidation, repackaging and re-exporting of the cargo brought to the country in country in containers or in bulk form. “The Team will be responsible for assessing: Customs Reform,…