News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness this afternoon (Tuesday, June 28) launched the CARICOM Review Commission at Jamaica House. The Chairman of the Commission is Mr Bruce Golding, former Prime Minister. In his address, Prime Minister Holness said, “We cannot preempt what the commission will say, but it was never the intention to lay any groundwork or chart any path out of CARICOM. This is about strengthening Jamaica’s position within the regional integration process, which is absolutely important for Jamaica’s economic growth and development for the next 50 years”. The Commission will among other things, evaluate the effects that Jamaica’s participation in CARICOM has on its economic growth and development; analyze CARICOM’s performance against the goals and objectives outlined in the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and to identify the causes of the shortcomings; assess the value of Jamaica’s membership in CARICOM on its influence in critical international fora and with third state trade and development partners; and assess whether the CARICOM dispute settlement provisions provide realistic options for settlement of disputes for Jamaica. Comprising members from a wide cross-section including the private sector, academia, business, finance and trade unions, the first meeting of the Commission will be held on Tuesday, July 5…

The outcome of the referendum on the United Kingdom’s membership in the European Union held yesterday was historic. The people of the UK have decided to leave the EU as is their right to do in a democratic process. It is clearly a momentous decision as is evidenced by the reaction in the financial markets and capitals across the world. The outcome of the referendum has set in motion a process that will require the UK to withdraw from the EU in keeping with the provisions of the EU treaties. We recall that under Prime Minister Cameron’s leadership, initiatives were taken to re-engage the Commonwealth Caribbean, notably through the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Programme (UKCIF) and other projects within the Commonwealth. We also note Prime Minister Cameron’s principled decision to allow for a new Prime Minister to lead the transition process. The UK’s decision to leave the EU will have international impact and there is no doubt that this will have implications for our country on several levels. The Government of Jamaica is actively monitoring and assessing the evolving global environment, to position our country to advantageously manage these developments. The Government of Jamaica remains committed to working with both our…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness will honour 40 educators on Thursday, June 23 at the Ceremony for the Presentation of the Prime Minister’s Medal of Appreciation for Service to Education. Those to be awarded include active and retired teachers, principals, lecturers and education officers. Since 2005, awardees have been selected based on their outstanding service through innovation and creativity as well as their active involvement in community development. Some educators have served for at least 15 years and for others, as many as 47 years. Among the list of dignitaries who will attend are Their Excellencies The Governor-General and The Most Honourable Lady Allen, Rev Ronald Thwaites representing the Leader of the Opposition and Senator the Honourable Ruel Reid, Minister of Education, Youth and Information. The Prime Minister will be the guest speaker. The event will be held on the Lawns of Jamaica House commencing at 6:30pm.

The Defence Board chaired by the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Hon. Andrew Holness met on June 17, 2016 to discuss the Report of the Commission of Enquiry Appointed to Enquire into Events which Occurred in West Kingston and Related Areas in May 2010. In attendance were the Minister of National Security Hon. Robert Montague M.P., the Minister of Justice Hon. Delroy Chuck, Q.C, M.P., Attorney General Hon. Marlene Malahoo-Forte Q.C., M.P., the Chief of Defence Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) Major General A. B. Anderson, and other Government officials. The Defence Board is established by the Defence Act of Jamaica and is responsible under the general authority of the Prime Minister. as the Minster of Defence, for the command, discipline, administration and all other matters relating to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) including to act as an advisory Board to the Minister of Defence. The Defence Board considered in detail the findings of the Report relating to the JDF and specifically those in relation to the conduct of officers and the use of mortars during the operations of May 2010. The Report will be further discussed in Cabinet on Monday June 20, 2016, and the Government will, in…

The Jamaica House Fellowship Programme will begin accepting applications from qualified candidates to serve as full-time paid Fellows at the Office of the Prime Minister on June 20, the day when the programme’s webpage goes live. Prime Minister the Most Hon. Andrew Holness announced the Programme during his recent Budget Presentation, noting that it is designed to provide the government with the services of some of Jamaica’s most promising young minds and high capacity managers. “Jamaica will be at its best when its most talented graduates see a career in the public service as among their highest possible ambitions,” said Prime Minister Holness. Successful candidates will be working under the direct guidance and supervision of the Chief Technical Director in the Office of the Prime Minister and will be involved in a wide range of high impact projects. The Chief Technical Director, Mrs. Jacqueline Lynch-Stewart explained that as part of their responsibilities, Fellows will assist in providing analysis and support to aid in decision-making at the highest levels while helping to coordinate and monitor the progress of initiatives across Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government, in a timely and efficient manner. They will be involved in tasks such as gathering…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the tragic incident that happened in the United States in Orlando on Sunday is a terrible attack on humanity. The Prime Minister was speaking this morning (Tuesday, June 14) at a Security and Ethics Conference, hosted by the Ministries of National Security and Education Youth and Information, at Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston. “The terrorist bullet does not discriminate. It does not know gender, class, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. No one can take comfort to say that would never happen to us. It could happen anywhere to anyone and therefore we must take the security of humanity as our own duty,” said Mr Holness. The Prime Minister expressed deep and sincere condolences on behalf of all Jamaicans to the Government and people of the United States, especially to the families who have suffered and lost loved ones. He stated that “The Jamaican Government and people of Jamaica will do everything in our powers to ensure that we play our part in the security of the world.”

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government is working with the Police and the Army to deal with the issue of gun violence in Jamaica. The Prime Minister's statement comes a day after the police revealed that they and the Army will be mounting more police/military operations in the western end of the island. He added that: "We are giving the law enforcement agencies the resources they need and support in other ways to ensure they can deal effectively with crime generally and murders in particular. Our resolve is to see a consistent reduction in crime and we are working towards that aim". Prime Minister Holness extended the government's support and prayers to all victims of crime, "We as a government are deeply impacted whenever a Jamaican is affected by crime. Crime impacts families and by extension, our economy. Our quest for growth and job creation will be most effective in a safe society. We must end gun violence". Prime Minister Holness also extended condolences to the people of the United States as the deal with the worst mass shooting in their history. "We are working with our United States partners to reduce the influx of guns into Jamaica as they…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says The Government and the Jamaica Labour Party are mourning the passing of veteran journalist and Senior Gleaner Political Correspondent Gary Spaulding. Prime Minister Holness in hailing the life and work of Spaulding said, "I admired his professionalism and his fairness. His knowledge of the issues was excellent and over the years, you could always depend on him for an objective opinion. Jamaica has lost a dedicated and important contributor to national discourse and we the government recognise this loss". In extending condolences to the family of Mr Spaulding, especially his young children, the Prime Minister called on them to be proud of his rich legacy, "the heritage of your father is written on the pages of Jamaica's history. His contribution to Jamaica will be read by many in the years to come and his name will live on in our consciousness. We pray for you and ask that your family can find comfort in this time of sorrow. The Prime Minister also extended condolences to the management and staff of the Jamaica Gleaner, "I call on the staff of the Gleaner and journalists all over Jamaica to strive to ensure the legacy of Spaulding is…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (Friday, June 3) left the island for the 7th Association of Caribbean States Summit in Cuba. On the agenda is the election of a new secretary general to take over from Alfonso Munera, who has been in office since 2002. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro, Colombia's Juan Manuel Santos, Panama's Juan Carlos Varela, Costa Rica's Luis Guillermo Solis, most of the Caribbean nations leaders and the host, Cuba's President Raul Castro, will participate in the meeting. The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) was created in July of 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, with the aim of promoting consultation, cooperation and concerted action among all the countries of the Caribbean, comprising 25 member states. During Prime Minister Holness' absence the Minister of Finance Mr. Audley Shaw is in charge of the government. Prime Minster Holness will return to the island on Monday June 6.