News from the OPM

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the passing of Professor the Honourable Sir Fitzroy (Roy) Richard Augier, OJ is a major loss to the academic, historical, literary, Jamaican and Caribbean communities. A renowned historian and educator, Professor Sir Roy Augier, died this morning. He was one hundred years old. Professor Augier played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of Jamaica and Caribbean history, authored several seminal works chronicling the history of our peoples, and was a central figure in academic excellence for more than 60 years. Born in St. Lucia, Sir Roy made Jamaica his home in the 1950s following his studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona. In his tribute, Prime Minister Holness said: “Professor Augier was a pioneer, a visionary, the consummate educator whose life was dedicated to illuminating the lived history of our ancestors and shaping the narrative and knowledge of generations of Jamaican and Caribbean people. The adjectives to describe his work and impact would be too voluminous. As a researcher, professor and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Prof inspired generations of scholars and leaders. His groundbreaking research and publications on our history and culture are testament to his…

“We are the country of the fastest man alive; we must translate that speed on the track to the speed of doing business.” - Prime Minister Holness ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says greater efficiency is needed for economic growth. Dr. Holness has announced a taskforce to improve and drive Jamaica's economic efficiency and foster rapid growth. The taskforce will be known as the SPEED Task Force (Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development). Speaking on Tuesday, (January 21, 2025) at the 20th Regional Investments & Capital Markets Conference hosted by the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the Prime Minister said the new task force will address bureaucratic bottlenecks, streamline approval processes, and ensure Jamaica becomes the most business-friendly and citizen-focused country in the region. “We are determined to end the outdated notion that efficiency compromises quality. Or put it another way, if it didn't take long to be done, it wasn't done well. We are the country of the fastest man alive. We must translate that speed on the track to the speed of doing business. To drive this transformation, I will appoint the Speed Task Force, Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development and we will do that by…

The National Security Council was briefed on the disruption of public order, citizen security, and commercial activities in Spanish Town attributed to gang activity. This was among the priority agenda items for discussion at the monthly meeting of the National Security Council chaired by the Prime Minister, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness on January 23, 2025. The Council has directed the security forces to restore and maintain order in the area and protect citizens going about their lawful business. While the JCF has dedicated manpower and other resources to return calm to the area, the intelligence assessment is that gangs continue to pose a threat to public order, citizen security, public services, and commerce. Beyond this immediate situation and the measures to address it, a more insidious concern is that gangs have captured and entrenched themselves in communities and have enlisted community members and their support to misguided ends. The Council notes that significant effort has been made to improve the relationship between citizens and the security forces. The JCF has assured that in its operations against the gangs in the area it will do everything to protect innocent citizens and preserve good relations with the community. In receiving…

The Government of Jamaica is intensifying its focus on improving infrastructure and driving economic transformation in the parish of Westmoreland. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness made the declaration today (Friday, January 24) while in the parish to hand over four social housing units under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP). Dr. Holness acknowledged the parish's potential and the urgent need to address longstanding issues. Prime Minister Holness has outlined a comprehensive approach that will deliver targeted solutions to benefit the residents of Westmoreland. Dr. Holness highlighted key priorities, including infrastructure development, enhanced health services, and economic opportunities. "Westmoreland is in need of specific attention as it relates to infrastructure, roads, and water. And I am very much aware in terms of health facilities. I am aware that the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital is indeed overburdened at this time.” Prime Minister Holness assured residents that plans to address these challenges will feature prominently in the government’s upcoming budget. Dr. Holness emphasized the creation of an economic plan aimed at unlocking the parish’s potential while generating sustainable income opportunities for young people. “Westmoreland has many assets, many opportunities, and we are going to ensure that we put in place an economic plan for Westmoreland,…

 “My administration remains committed to building on our successes, creating an environment where businesses can thrive, investments can flourish, and all Jamaicans can benefit from economic progress.” - Prime Minister Holness -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced a series of transformative economic measures designed to transition Jamaica to greater sustainable growth. These strategies, focused on tax reform, investment stimulation, and cost-reduction initiatives, underscore the Government’s commitment to fostering prosperity for all Jamaicans. Speaking at the 20th Regional Investments & Capital Markets Conference hosted by the Jamaica Stock Exchange on Tuesday (January 21, 2025), the Prime Minister stated: “My administration remains committed to building on our successes, creating an environment where businesses can thrive, investments can flourish, and all Jamaicans can benefit from economic progress. Together, we will achieve peace, productivity, and prosperity.” The Prime Minister further noted: “Despite facing the worst global health and economic crisis in a century, my administration has delivered nine consecutive budgets with no new taxes, alongside significant tax reductions and givebacks, a remarkable achievement for a developing country.” He also emphasized that these measures aim to simplify processes, enhance efficiency, and drive competitiveness across all sectors of the economy. Key initiatives announced include: Tax Reform:…

“We are committed to addressing these [road] challenges with urgency and determination through both immediate actions and comprehensive long-term planning.” -Prime Minister Holness  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the Government of Jamaica remains steadfast in its commitment to addressing the nation’s road infrastructure challenges. Recognizing the significant impact of prolonged rainfall in 2024, comprehensive and strategic approaches have been adopted to provide immediate relief while laying the groundwork for sustainable and resilient road networks. Speaking in the Parliament on Tuesday (January 21, 2025), Prime Minister Holness outlined the Government’s strategy. “The Government is doing both the patching and full rehabilitation of the roads. We are patching the roads, we are making the road surface drivable, and that is a $6.5 billion allocation in the budget. We have another programme called the SPARK programme, which is designed to rehabilitate and upgrade the entirety of the road. It sometimes includes putting in water pipes and some amount of intersection improvement, road furniture where necessary, support infrastructure, retaining walls, and more.” In response to the urgent needs created by adverse weather conditions, the Government allocated $6.5 billion toward a comprehensive restoration strategy. This includes $5 billion for road surface repairs…

-Prime Minister outlines bold vision to establish Jamaica as a global training hub for healthcare professionals "We have to create a system where we can leverage the talent that has been exported to come back to Jamaica and support our local healthcare system.” - Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------   Prime Minister the Most Hon. Dr. Andrew Holness says the Government remains committed to strengthening Jamaica’s health sector through targeted investments in human capital and training capabilities. The Prime Minister also noted that the Government will also address the pressing challenge of migration, particularly in the health sector. Dr. Holness emphasized that improving healthcare delivery requires more than just infrastructure upgrades. "We recognize that in the health system, we can improve the infrastructure, and we can improve the facilities. But to get the cure in health, we have to build the human capacity, and that is what today is about in the transformation exercise," the Prime Minister stated. As part of its strategy to bolster the health sector, the Government has introduced initiatives such as the Barry Witt Scholarships to train the next generation of healthcare professionals. The first ever, Career and Employment Expo where 600 vacant posts throughout the Ministry…

-Prime Minister urges greater care in the sector Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has called for greater empathy and compassion in Jamaica’s health sector, emphasizing that delivering quality care goes beyond improving facilities. Speaking at the inaugural Health & Wellness Career Expo & Employment Fair yesterday (January 22) Prime Minister Holness underscored the importance of emotional connection and understanding in addressing public concerns about healthcare. “Clearly, if you have a brand-new hospital that has more bed space, the care will improve. Your waiting time would reduce, especially if you improve facilities. But the real care that I hear people are complaining about as a pain point in this transformation process is that somehow, they feel that the health professionals don't care emotionally, empathetically about their patients,” Prime Minister Holness stated. While acknowledging the challenges faced by patients, Dr. Holness urged Jamaicans to recognize the dedication of healthcare professionals who serve under demanding circumstances. “We must be careful that we don't allow these exceptional cases to unfairly colour, devalue, and demotivate the hard work and sacrifice of our healthcare professionals. At the same time, I implore our healthcare professionals to appreciate and understand that many of our patients have their challenges…

Today, the Government and people of Jamaica proudly welcome the historic decision of the Government of the United States of America to grant posthumous clemency to our nation’s first National Hero, The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1887–1940). This is a momentous step toward righting a grave historical wrong committed against one of the most significant civil rights leaders and Pan-Africanists in history. Garvey, a son of the soil, was unjustly convicted of mail fraud in 1923 and sentenced to five years of imprisonment—a conviction that tarnished the legacy of a visionary leader whose life was dedicated to the empowerment of people of African descent. While his sentence was commuted by President Calvin Coolidge in 1927, successive Jamaican governments have worked tirelessly to have his name fully cleared. This decision represents not just a victory for Jamaica but for justice, truth, and humanity. As Prime Minister, I consider this clemency a first step toward the total exoneration and expungement of this historical injustice. In 2018, our Administration passed The National Heroes and Other Freedom Fighters (Absolution from Criminal Liability in Respect of Specified Acts) Act, clearing the records of Jamaica’s National Heroes and freedom fighters who were wrongfully accused and…