News from the OPM

MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica, May 18, 2016- Prime Minister Holness and World Bank Vice President Jorge Familiar held wide-ranging discussions in Montego Bay today. World Bank Vice President Familiar congratulated Jamaica for its commitment to good macro-economic policies and expressed his conviction that with continued reforms, Jamaica is on the right path for accelerating growth. As part of its country partnership strategy, the World Bank is providing Jamaica with half a billion dollars ($US 510 million over 2013 – 2017) to support Jamaica in changing its growth trajectory and boosting private sector development and competitiveness. It also comes with support in transitioning to clean energy, a regional initiative to provide new skills and jobs for the youth in the animation and digital economy, and efforts to improve social and climate resilience in the country. During the meeting, the Prime Minister and World Bank Vice President agreed to develop a new project on access to finance to support credit to Small and Medium Enterprises SMEs and on new innovative financing initiatives, including a debt for nature and resilience swap and a policy based guarantee. As part of the government’s active debt management strategy, the World Bank is exploring with other partners an…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (Wednesday, May 11) met with Ministers without portfolio Hon. Dr. Horace Change, Hon. Daryl Vaz and Minister of Local Government Desmond McKenzie to discuss the recent incident involving the Royalton Hotel construction site in Negril. During the meeting a decision was made to expand the team to investigate the collapse at the Royalton construction site, by adding representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister, Ministries of Local Government, and Labour and Social Security, National Works Agency (NWA) and National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA). The team will also investigate all other major construction projects in the region and determine whether they are in keeping with the approved regulatory standards. Prime Minister Holness noted that in preparation for increased construction in the hotel and other sectors, "the Government will examine its internal capabilities to ensure it is properly equipped to supervise large construction projects to ensure alignment with safety practices, environmental considerations and labour management. The Prime Minister said a balance must be struck where all the approved standards are met including the safety of workers, the public and eventual hotel users, while at the same time allowing for expeditious project completion.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness gave tablets to Omade Williams and his brother Joel on Wednesday, May 11. This was a part of a commitment the Prime Minister made a few weeks ago when the brothers visited his office. The handing over took place at Jamaica House.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaicans must embrace the spirit of volunteerism to advance the country’s development agenda. “This Government intends to ensure that while we pursue economic growth and job creation, we equally pursue the sustainable development of our country. That means we will be engaging the people of Jamaica through the education and health sectors, media and communications in getting us to voluntarily use our efforts and our labour to secure our environment.” The Prime Minister was speaking at the Launch of Workers’ Week and Labour Day at Jamaica House on Friday, May 6, 2016. The Prime Minister said the Government will be looking at developing a policy on work, which will focus on volunteerism. “We will be institutionalizing this policy by building a partnership with the people and organizations. We can achieve so much if we are coordinated, organized and motivated. We can contribute and build the country through volunteerism,” he emphasised. The National Project on Labour Day will take place at Gregory Park and Washington Mews in Portmore to identify and destroy mosquito breeding sites. Prime Minister Andrew Holness used the opportunity to appeal to residents “to volunteer your time, your labour and your effort to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (May 2) met with the families of slain female police Corporal Judith Williams in Franklyn Town and US Missionaries Harold Nichols and Randy Hentzel in St Mary. The Prime Minister noted Corporal Williams was an invaluable member of the police force who dedicated her life to serving Jamaica and that the two US Missionaries gave selfless service to Jamaica for many years and demonstrated a real love for the people. “I am very saddened by these killings and wish to assure the families that we are working hard to bring the perpetrators to justice,” he emphasised. Prime Minister Holness also met with Commissioner of Police and the Minister of National Security to get an update on the current crime challenges and what is being done to address the issues. “I have been assured that the police are using all resources available to them to find the killers. The government is supporting the police to ensure they have the tools to catch these criminals. I grieve for the families who have lost loved ones due to crime and the government is acting to ensure we, as a country, can have a safe environment,” said Prime Minister…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is urging all Jamaicans to join in the fight against crime. The Prime Minister was speaking in the aftermath of the brazen murder of 54 year old Judith Williams, who was attached to the Office of Police Commissioner, Dr Carl Williams. Mr Holness said that he is deeply saddened by Miss Williams’ death and added that his government will not allow criminality to flourish. “She dedicated her life to serving her country and was looking forward to her retirement. Her dream has been stolen by criminals who, like true cowards, pounced on her when she was most vulnerable. This government will not allow this type of behaviour and wickedness to persist” Mr Holness said. In addition, the Prime Minister said that all Jamaicans must recognise that while we have made gains much more needs to be done. “If all of us do not join the fight against crime and criminals, Judith's Death might be in vain. The Police and the Government need partnerships with all citizens to combat criminality”, Prime Minister Holness added.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness departs the island today (May 3) to participate in the United States Caribbean Central American Energy Summit meeting in Washington D.C. The Prime Minister will engage in discussions on the results of the energy task force for the Caribbean and Central America announced by President Obama last year, and identify steps the United States and regional leaders can take to ensure that citizens of these regions achieve more secure, affordable, and clean energy solutions. Jamaica expects that tangible outcomes will emanate from this meeting as it relates to improved energy governance and energy diversification for the Caribbean, as this will improve our competitiveness at the regional and international levels. The Prime Minister will return on May 5. During this period, Minister without portfolio with responsibility for Water, Works and Housing in the Office of the Prime Minister, Dr. Horace Chang will be in charge of the Government.

The National Identification System (NIDS) project remains on track for full implementation by 2020, Project Director in the Office of the Prime Minister Denzil Plummer has noted. The NIDS will allow for the identification of Jamaican nationals and persons ordinarily resident in Jamaica, and will provide a comprehensive and secure structure to collect and store personal identity information. Mr. Plummer has indicated that: “The project which began in 2011 is on scheduled to meet its original completion date of 2020. Phase one of the project was completed in 2015 within budget, following a 17-month extension.” He further added that phase one, the preparatory segment, was completed with grant funding of US$670,000 from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and counterpart financing of US$120,000 from the Government of Jamaica.  This phase involved developing the legislative and institutional framework; designing the NIDS ICT architecture; conducting an economic and cost/benefit analysis; carrying out a baseline survey, and developing a communication and behaviour change plan. Phase two which is set to begin this financial year, is estimated to cost some US$500,000. Activities under this segment, among other things, will include submission and approval of the NIDS policy; promulgation of the related legislation, and the establishment…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is expressing shock and deep regret at the attack on innocent civilians at the Zaventem International Airport as well as the Maelbeek City Metro in the Belgian capital Brussels this morning.  Three explosions have claimed the lives of over 30 civilians and have left over 200 others injured. "On behalf of the Government and people of Jamaica I would like to express our deep sympathies to the people and to the Government of Belgium.  We extend condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives and pray for a speedy recovery for those injured in this morning’s terror attack.” “Jamaica’s commitment to world peace and value for the sanctity of human life sees us standing in solidarity with the Belgian people at this time.  Unspeakable horror and trauma has been unleashed upon them and Jamaica joins the rest of the free world in condemning this morning’s act of terror.” "Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians by terrorists anywhere in the world is to be seen as an attack on the values and ideals we hold dear as Jamaicans.  If nothing else, attacks of this nature underscore and highlight the grave threats terrorists pose to us.”…