News from the OPM

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness announced a new phase in Jamaica’s housing strategy, following a success in exceeding the ambitious target of 70,000 new housing solutions across the island. Prime Minister Holness has immediately announced another target of 60,000 houses in the coming five years. This means the government would deliver 130,000 homes over 10 years. Speaking at the National Housing Trust (NHT) Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Chantilly Housing Development on Friday (July 18) in Westmoreland, the Prime Minister lauded the collaborative efforts of the NHT, the Housing Agency of Jamaica (HAJ), and private developers in reaching this significant national milestone. The Prime Minister stated: “The government, therefore, has essentially reached its target of 70,000 new houses to be built. The NHT is to be commended for surpassing its 43,000. And we are now setting a new target of another 60,000 housing solutions, new housing solutions.” The NHT’s contributions were highlighted in detail. Of the 43,000-unit target assigned to the agency, more than 10,360 homes are currently under construction, with an additional 10,320 units in the planning and design phase. A further 6,750 homes are in the contract phase, and 12,515 are at the procurement stage. Including its daily intake…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to increasing homeownership among Jamaicans through a balanced and strategic approach that targets both supply and demand. Prime Minister Holness says the government's approach to addressing housing and expanding options for greater access is the result of deliberate, well-thought-out, strategic action. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday (July 18) for the latest National Housing Trust (NHT) scheme called the Chantilly Housing Development in Westmoreland, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the Government is not just building houses but implementing policy to make housing more accessible and affordable. “The government has to tackle the problem from the supply side of housing, and the government has to tackle it from the demand side of housing.” Dr. Holness noted that significant increases in public sector wages and the minimum wage have created greater effective demand for housing. “We have increased the base level of wages. Generally, as a result of the compensation review, we have increased our general wage levels. You now have more effective demand than ever before. You have more people who are now able to actually purchase a home.” Outlining the government's plan to increase the country's housing stock,…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to responsible, forward-looking governance as he officially handed over 93 new buses to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC). The event, held at the JUTC Depot in Braeton, Portmore, on Wednesday (July 16) represents the most significant fleet expansion in more than a decade. Dr. Holness said it signals a new standard in public sector investment: one built not on debt, but on discipline, strategic planning, and long-term fiscal responsibility. The Prime Minister stated: “This is your government working day and night for years to put these things in place. These buses that you're seeing here today, these 100 buses, were not ordered yesterday. These buses took four years of planning.” Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the delivery of the 93 buses is the culmination of a meticulous, multi-year process that included diagnosing longstanding issues in the public transport system, such as unreliable service, fuel theft, and bus breakdowns and designing a comprehensive solution that is efficient, modern, and economically sound. “This is not just the bus, you are seeing the bus, but what's behind the bus is a whole system that will keep those buses running for your convenience,…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to equitable development, outlining a national transportation strategy designed to ensure no Jamaican is left behind. Prime Minister Holness described the initiative as a deliberate, equity-focused investment that reflects sound, responsible, and inclusive policymaking. “When you're making policy, you want to make everybody better off. That's what you want to do, number one. Or if you can't do that, you have to make at least one person better off and nobody else worse off. That is the minimum definition of progress and fairness in welfare distribution,” stated Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister emphasized that this latest delivery of buses, while a critical boost for urban commuters, is only one part of a broader vision that seeks to address historic inequities in the public transport system, particularly for rural schoolchildren. “Developing the rural school bus system will rebalance the equity in the society by ensuring that urban commuters, particularly our children, will get the same equitable access, comfort, convenience and affordability as everyone else in the society. And that's why this is so important.” The expansion of the JUTC fleet, including the gradual extension of services into rural-urban centers like…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has highlighted the pivotal role of Justices of the Peace (JPs) and Custodes in Jamaica as key drivers of community transformation and social stability. Speaking on Thursday (July 17) at the installation of Hon. Lennox Anderson Jackson as Custos of the parish of Hanover, Prime Minister Holness underscored that the influence of the Custodes goes far beyond ceremony, noting that they hold the “most powerful form of authority” in Jamaican society. The Prime Minister highlighted the essential leadership role Custos Anderson Jackson will play in fostering social infrastructure alongside physical development and called on the JP corps to be more actively engaged in their communities. “Your leadership will be critical in galvanizing the justices of the peace to be more present in their communities, whether through mentoring young people, guiding dispute resolution, or supporting restorative justice initiatives. The JP corps must be activated to serve, not just ceremonially, but transformatively.” Prime Minister Holness emphasized the urgency of youth development as central to this mission to improve communities in Hanover. “Our young people in Hanover must know that they are seen, heard, and believed in. Let us ensure they have safe spaces to thrive through sports, culture,…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced that the Government will expand the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP). Dr. Holness says there are plans to provide land for beneficiaries. This move is an essential step toward accelerating housing solutions for Jamaica’s most vulnerable citizens. Speaking on Wednesday (July 16) at the handing-over ceremony of a new home to Natoya Pearson and her five children in the community of Rennalls, Point Hill, in West Central St. Catherine, Prime Minister Holness emphasized the life-changing impact of the NSHP for the most vulnerable in the society. Dr. Holness outlined the Government’s vision for its next phase. “Right now, we have built over 295 houses and handed them over to beneficiaries, and we have another 45 houses in varying stages of construction. … The programme would have already provided shelter to over a thousand persons,” Prime Minister Holness stated. Prime Minister Holness explained that while the New Social Housing Programme has scaled up to deliver more houses on a weekly basis, the unavailability of land for some vulnerable persons continues to be the primary limiting factor in meeting the growing demand. “The availability of land is indeed the constraint preventing the programme from expanding…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has commended the police in the parish of Hanover for the remarkable progress in reducing serious crime, citing recent data that places the parish among the safest in Jamaica. The western parish has recorded a 75% reduction in murders and an overall 48% decline in major crimes. Speaking on Thursday (July 17) at the official installation ceremony of the new Custos Rotulorum for Hanover, Hon. Lennox Anderson Jackson, Prime Minister Holness highlighted the transformation in the parish as a national example of effective community engagement and civic partnership. The Prime Minister pointed to the collaboration between law enforcement and Justices of the Peace (JPs) as a critical factor behind the improvement. During a recent community visit, Dr. Holness noted that the police officers have been supported more and more by the JPs to help maintain peace and order. “Since the last time, there has been significant improvement [in crime reduction]. The officer in charge mentioned that they were not able to achieve this without the support of the JPs and the other stakeholders who have been very active in the community,” he said. The Prime Minister credited this strong civic involvement, paired with adequate policing…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness officially handed over 93 brand-new buses to the Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) a bold stride toward building a modern, sustainable, and inclusive public transport system with the largest single fleet expansion in over a decade. Speaking on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) at the historic handover, held at the JUTC Bus Depot in Braeton, Portmore, Prime Minister Holness noted that the transformational investment in national mobility and infrastructure reinforces the Government’s commitment to a connected and productive Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed the practical and people-centred focus of the Government’s transport agenda. “Every Jamaican can be assured that the decisions we make on their behalf is rooted in the Jamaican experience and in understanding what every Jamaican would want to see for themselves and their children. The investments that we are making in public transportation are designed to improve the comfort and convenience of the traveling public. They are designed to improve the affordability for the general public,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister emphasized that the fleet expansion is part of a broader plan to increase efficiency, productivity, and economic opportunity for all Jamaicans: “That’s what it is about, and we tend to…

In response to worsening drought conditions affecting the island, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, the Honourable Matthew Samuda, announced a comprehensive $350 million drought mitigation programme aimed at providing immediate relief and strengthening long-term water resilience across Jamaica. Minister Samuda made the announcement on Wednesday (July 16) at a Special Post Cabinet Press Briefing at Jamaica House. Following presentations from Evan Thompson, Principal Director of the Meteorological Service of Jamaica; Peter Clarke, Managing Director of the Water Resources Authority; and Garth Jackson, Acting President of the National Water Commission, all of whom highlighted a widespread decline in rainfall leading to reduced water storage, Minister Samuda outlined the Government’s targeted response, including direct support to communities, support critical water infrastructure, and measures to strengthen agricultural resilience. “Consequent on the three presentations you would have just heard from the Met Service, the WRA and the National Water Commission, I'm announcing this morning a suite of measures for drought mitigation efforts from your government of 350 million Jamaican dollars.” Of this amount, $250 million will be managed by the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, with $150 million directed toward water trucking operations through Members of…