News from the OPM

The Government of Jamaica welcomes the Supreme Court’s decision to lift the injunction previously blocking the enforcement of the Counties and Parishes (Amendment) Act, 2025, commonly referred to as the Portmore Parish Law. The Attorney General of Jamaica, Dr Derrick Mckoy expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s decision. The Attorney General stated that “we are very happy with the consent order. It sets out clearly what Minister McKenzie said the Government of Jamaica would be doing with the passage of the Parishes (Amendment) Act, 2025. Now that everyone is declared to be on the same page, we can look forward to achieving the objectives of the legislation.” Further updates will be provided as the Government continues to work diligently to fulfill all constitutional obligations related to establishing Portmore as Jamaica’s 15th parish.

“We are committed to working collaboratively to ensure that travel advisories reflect the current realities and promote safe travel.” – Prime Minister Holness ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says Jamaica has made significant progress in reviewing a travel advisory imposed on the island during bilateral talks with US Secretary of State, the Honourable Marco Rubio. During a joint media briefing today (March 26, 2025) at the Office of the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Holness noted that both he and Secretary Rubio discussed the significant progress made to reduce all major crimes. “Jamaica today is safer than at any time in the last two decades. In fact, crime against visitors represents less than 0.01% of the more than 3 million visitors to Jamaica annually. We are committed to working collaboratively to ensure that travel advisories reflect the current realities and promote safe travel,” said Prime Minister Holness. Dr. Holness said discussions were had on several critical areas of cooperation, including reaffirming commitment to enhancing cooperation in combating transnational crime, ensuring the collective safety of citizens and mutually secured borders. “The United States has been instrumental in supporting Jamaica’s efforts to bolster its marine domain awareness and intelligence surveillance capacities, which…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced a series of new and expanded benefits from the National Housing Trust (NHT) to benefit Jamaicans. The series of improved benefits will take effect in the coming months are aimed at making homeownership more affordable and accessible for Jamaicans. These enhancements, which include increased loan limits, reduced deposit requirements, and expanded grants, represent a significant investment in improving the lives of NHT contributors. Starting July 1, 2025, several key changes will take effect: - Increased Loan Limits: Individual loan limits will rise from $7.5 million to $9 million, while two co-applicants can now access $17 million and three co-applicants up to $23 million. - The loan ceiling for construction loans will also be increased to $11 million for individuals, $17 million for two co-applicants, and $23 million for three co-applicants. - Lower Deposit Requirements: For contributors earning less than $30,000 weekly, the deposit requirement for open market loans will be reduced from 5% to 2% for properties valued at $14 million or less, making it easier for more Jamaicans to own a home. - Reduced Service Charges: Those earning $30,000 or less per week will see their 2% service charge eliminated, while those earning between $30,000 and $42,000 per week will have their charge reduced from 5% to 2%. - Expanded…

“If we focus on eliminating gangs, we can reduce our murder rate to below the regional average of 15 per hundred thousand… Many have been dismantled or have gone dormant. They are laying low because they know they are being hunted relentlessly by the security forces.” -Prime Minister Holness ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says his administration remains committed to dismantling criminal enterprises, citing the government’s strategic investments in security as a driving force behind the decline in gangs and violent crime across Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness noted that the investments made by his administration in national security are yielding unprecedented results, with police intelligence now confirming that fewer than 100 gangs remain active in Jamaica, down from a peak of 350 in 2016. Prime Minister Holness said the sharp decline underscores the effectiveness of the Government’s deliberate crime-fighting strategies, which have disrupted and dismantled organized criminal networks across the island. In his contribution to the 2025/26 budget debate on Thursday (March 20), Prime Minister Holness credited the reduction in gang activity to the Government’s aggressive approach in equipping the security forces, enhancing intelligence capabilities, and enforcing targeted operations. “We recognized the emergency threat organized criminal enterprises and violence…

“Jamaica today has the strongest economy since independence. Jamaica has a bright future. We are not going back to the failed policies of the PNP.” -Prime Minister Holness  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has declared that Jamaica is experiencing its strongest economy since independence in 1962, attributing this historic achievement to his administration’s prudent financial management, strategic investments, and pro-growth policies. Speaking during his 2025/26 Budget Debate on Thursday (March 20), Prime Minister Holness outlined a series of historic economic achievements by his government, emphasizing that Jamaica’s transformation has been the result of relentless focus on stability, resilience and growth. “The numbers do not just tell a story of improvement; they tell a story of transformation—of an economy that has overcome decades of instability, uncertainty, and crisis to achieve a level of strength and resilience that Jamaica has never before experienced,” Prime Minister Holness stated. Dr. Holness said Jamaica’s economic stability is evident in key indicators such as inflation management, employment, and job creation. The Prime Minister highlighted that under his administration, “inflation has averaged just 5.5% per year—the lowest since 1972—while the PNP’s policies from 1989 to 2007 resulted in an inflation rate of 18.5% per year, totaling…

In a bold, decisive move to accelerate Jamaica’s economic transformation, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced sweeping reforms aimed at streamlining processes in the public bureaucracy and eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies that stifle growth. Speaking yesterday (March 17) at the swearing-in ceremony at King’s House for the two newly appointed ministers, Prime Minister Holness stressed the need for balance between fiscal accountability and the urgent need to fast-track critical infrastructure projects and major investments. Senator the Honourable Ambassador Audrey Marks has been given the task, with her appointment as Minister without Portfolio with specific responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation. Dr. Holness pointed out that her role will be instrumental in reforming government bureaucracy to create a more agile, innovation-driven, and growth-oriented public sector. Prime Minister Holness also emphasized the need for urgent reforms, acknowledging that while stringent fiscal policies have helped stabilize the economy, the resulting layers of checks and balances have also created inefficiencies. “The very layers of controls, checks, and balances that helped us rein in wasteful spending have now created a new challenge—one that slows down essential approvals, delays critical infrastructure projects, and stifles economic growth,” the Prime Minister stated. To address these challenges, Minister…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has announced new appointments to pivotal roles within the Government of Jamaica. These appointments reinforce his Administration’s commitment to innovation, efficiency within the public service, and tourism development. Senator the Honourable Ambassador Audrey Marks has been appointed as Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with responsibility for Efficiency, Innovation, and Digital Transformation. Senator Marks brings a wealth of experience to this role, having previously served as Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States, where she played a crucial role in strengthening bilateral relations. Senator Marks also had an illustrious career in the private sector. Senator Delano Seiveright has been appointed as Minister of State in the Ministry of Tourism. Senator Seiveright has been an active participant in Jamaica’s tourism sector and has contributed to many initiatives which enhanced the nation’s tourism product. In his new role, Senator Seiveright will focus on increasing the linkages between the tourism sector and the wider economy, ensuring that more Jamaicans benefit directly from the industry’s growth. Both Senators will be sworn in at King’s House tomorrow, Monday, March 17, 2025. Prime Minister Holness expressed confidence in the capabilities of Senators Marks and Seiveright,…

“For the public sector, the focus should now be on pay-for-performance, efficiency in service delivery, and productivity gains.” - Minister Fayval Williams -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Government on Tuesday (March 11) opened the 2025/26 Budget Debate, with a historic presentation by the country's first female Minister of Finance, Hon. Fayval Williams. Minister Williams outlined a raft of benefits to Jamaicans, including no new taxes. The Finance Minister announced the government’s continued efforts to enhance public sector efficiency through the implementation of a pay-for-performance system. The initiative forms part of the broader Public Sector Transformation programme aimed at improving productivity and service delivery. Minister Williams underscored the importance of fiscal discipline and sustainable financial management in achieving long-term economic stability. The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring fiscal responsibility, citing adherence to the Fiscal Balance Rule and the Debt-to-GDP target as key measures in maintaining economic resilience. “For the public sector, the focus should now be on pay-for-performance, efficiency in service delivery, and productivity gains,” Minister Williams stated. As the government prepares for the new fiscal year, Minister Williams highlighted that progress is already underway in the implementation of the pay-for-performance element within the new compensation framework. She noted that the government…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the government is now better equipped to withstand future health crises. The Prime Minister’s declaration came as he today (March 10, 2025) unveiled a monument to honour healthcare workers who died during COVID-19 in 2020. The monument is part of activities to mark the fifth anniversary of the impact of the pandemic on Jamaica, which put workers, particularly in the medical field, on the frontlines. On March 10, 2020, the Government recorded the first case of COVID-19 in Jamaica. Speaking on Monday (March 10) at the unveiling of a monument honouring healthcare workers, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the lessons learned from the pandemic have driven substantial investments in infrastructure, workforce development, and resilience-building within the health sector. “If our economy isn't doing well, we cannot respond adequately and effectively to crises. The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities that we have since worked tirelessly to address, and because of the difficult but necessary economic reforms we have undertaken, Jamaica is now better prepared for future shocks, whether it is another pandemic, a natural disaster, or a global economic downturn,” stated Prime Minister Holness. Dr. Holness said emerging from COVID-19, his administration is dedicated to strengthening Jamaica's…