News from the OPM

Public Advisory: Road Lane Closure for CARICOM Road Races Please be advised that, in recognition of the 49th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government, a series of road races, the 18th CARICOM Road Races, will take place in Montego Bay on Saturday, July 5, 2025. As a result, one lane of the Rose Hall Main Road will be closed from 4:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes during this period and to follow the instructions of traffic authorities on the ground. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we celebrate this important regional event. Security Advisory: No Weapons Policy In keeping with international protocol and national security arrangements for CARICOM 49, please be advised that there is a strict no-weapons policy in effect for all official CARICOM events and venues. Only authorized security personnel will be permitted to carry firearms or other weapons within the secured areas. This policy applies to all guests and staff and will be strictly enforced to ensure the safety of all participants. We appreciate your full cooperation. Traffic Advisory: Expect Delays Around Montego Bay Convention Centre Members of the public are advised to expect some…

The Government of Jamaica has formally notified the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) of its intention not to renew the current all-island electricity licence under the existing terms upon its expiration on July 8, 2027. Energy Minister, the Honourable Daryl Vaz, MP, made the announcement on Tuesday (July 1, 2025), underscoring the Government’s commitment to meaningful reform in Jamaica’s electricity sector and the delivery of better outcomes for the Jamaican people. "This morning, in my capacity as Energy Minister, I wrote the Jamaica Public Service Company (JPS) and gave formal notice of the Government’s intention upon expiration of the current all-island licence NOT to renew under existing terms," Minister Vaz announced. The Government’s decision is rooted in the need to reduce Jamaica’s high electricity costs, expand the use of renewables, and introduce more favourable licensing arrangements. Minister Vaz emphasized that "the people of Jamaica have NOT been served well by the existing electricity supply arrangements. The terms under the current licence have yielded electricity prices which are amongst the highest in the region. The arrangements are deeply flawed and in need of significant reform." The Government’s notification to JPS is in accordance with Condition 27 of the current licence, which…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has reiterated that Jamaica’s infrastructure programme must not only deliver roads and public assets but must also build the technical and professional capacity of Jamaican workers through intentional skills transfer and training. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the US 81-million-dollar Port Antonio Bypass on June 26, the Prime Minister noted that large-scale infrastructure projects must serve as platforms for developing local talent, ensuring that Jamaicans are not just participants but leaders in the sector’s long-term growth. “As we undertake these massive projects, we must ensure that we are building Jamaicans in the process. This is about more than physical development; it is about human development.” Referencing the Montego Bay Bypass Project, which is being implemented by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), the Prime Minister said he was encouraged by the high level of Jamaican participation on the ground. “When I toured the site recently, I was very pleased to see that more than 90 percent of the workforce was Jamaican, from the steel man to the engineer. That is the kind of direction we must continue to take.” The Prime Minister noted that China Harbour, as one of Jamaica’s longstanding infrastructure partners, is increasingly…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says he is focused on positivity and upliftment, noting that government representatives have been instructed to speak only from a place of fact and public responsibility. Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Port Antonio Bypass on (June 26), Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the government will not participate in political smear tactics, misinformation, or divisive rhetoric, especially in a season where public trust and national unity are essential. “They are under instructions that whatever they say to the public must be factual. They are under instructions that whatever they say to the public must be positive,” the Prime Minister stated. “You will not hear from the platform of the government anything that is negative, anything that is fake, or anything that is not of the highest integrity of information.” The Prime Minister made it clear that the government’s focus remains on uplifting the Jamaican people, promoting constructive dialogue, and presenting a hopeful vision for the future of the country. “We are committed to being the voice of positivity. We are committed to being constructive in whatever we say. We are not going to rely on tearing down others or dwelling in the gutter. Our…

Prime Minister Urges Jamaicans to Guard Their Future with Informed Choices Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a call for national vigilance and thoughtful democratic participation, noting that Jamaica’s ongoing development is not the result of sudden windfalls or chance, but of disciplined governance, effective leadership, and long-term planning. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Port Antonio Bypass test (June 26), the Prime Minister drew comparisons with Guyana’s rapid transformation fueled by oil discoveries, stating: “Guyana is changing daily; new highways, bridges, and buildings are reshaping their capital. But here in Jamaica, we are also building, transforming communities, and creating real progress. The difference is not oil. We didn’t discover oil. We discovered good government.” Highlighting Jamaica’s achievements across infrastructure, crime reduction, and economic management, the Prime Minister urged citizens not to take progress for granted, warning against treating elections like sporting rivalries. “I understand that many Jamaicans support political parties like they support football teams. But voting is not a game. The consequences of supporting the wrong government can determine the direction of your life, your children’s future, and your community’s development.” He cautioned against misinformation and the growing influence of social media content that distorts facts…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness is reaffirming the commitment of the Government of Jamaica to designing policies that expand opportunity, promote fairness, and reduce income inequality across the country. Speaking to the importance of equity in governance, the Prime Minister emphasized that no Jamaican should feel left out of national progress. “Every policy we implement must be measured by how it affects the average citizen,” the Prime Minister said. “Who benefits? Who is left behind? These are the questions we must ask ourselves every single time.” Dr. Holness noted that while some proposals may seem attractive on the surface, they can create deeper divides if they only reach a small number of people while leaving the majority excluded. “There are policies that sound good but end up helping only a handful of Jamaicans,” Dr. Holness explained. “That creates frustration, especially when others are looking on and wondering where their share is.” The Prime Minister cautioned against the rise of inequitable promises that target narrow interest groups for short-term gain, especially in critical sectors like housing and employment. “Our job is not to govern for applause or popularity,” the Prime Minister said. “Our job is to ensure that government serves all…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says good government and sound economic policy over the past nine years have shaped Jamaica’s development. This has attracted transformative private-sector investment. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the Debottleneck project at Cemex, Caribbean Cement Company (Carib Cement) on Thursday (June 26), Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the increased private sector confidence being witnessed now is a direct result of deliberate, responsible, and visionary governance. “Carib Cement, which is owned by a multinational corporation, would not put its capital at risk if it were not certain of the economic programme and economic policies of the Government of Jamaica.” Prime Minister Holness addressed the narratives that attempt to downplay the role of government in national progress. Dr. Holness explained that private investment does not exist in a vacuum. The Prime Minister was clear: it is effective public policy that lays the foundation for such investment to flourish by creating jobs, building infrastructure, and improving lives. “There is an attempt to disconnect the achievements of the country from the efforts of government. But I want our people to understand that government matters. The people you elect to administer your business matter.” The Prime Minister pointed to Jamaica’s…

The Government of Jamaica is intensifying its work to address one of the most persistent barriers to inclusion: the lack of infrastructure that continues to keep too many Jamaicans on the outside looking in. From poor road access and limited transportation options to weak internet connectivity in rural areas, Prime Minister Andrew Holness says these gaps are contributing to a quiet but dangerous kind of exclusion. “Sometimes it is not that a person does not want to show up,” the Prime Minister said. “It is that they simply cannot get there. They cannot get to the registration site. They do not have the documents. They do not have reliable internet or transportation. And so, they remain on the margins, not because of ability, but because of access.” Speaking at the launch of the one-billion-dollar Solidarity Programme on Wednesday (June 25) at Jamaica House, the Prime Minister called for greater national awareness of the daily struggles faced by Jamaicans living in remote or underserved communities. “Many of these communities are filled with hard-working, capable people. What they need is infrastructure, the basics, to connect them to what is possible," he said. Through the Solidarity Programme, the government is not only providing…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to driving down the cost of energy in order to accelerate national growth, improve the cost of living, and position Jamaica as the premier industrial and manufacturing hub in the region. Speaking on Tuesday (June 24) at the official opening of a new economic complex developed by the Musson Group in Spanish Town, the Prime Minister outlined the clear link between energy reform and economic opportunity, stressing that affordable energy is essential to unlocking Jamaica’s full potential. “We must reduce the cost of electricity to businesses if we are serious about growing our economy and realizing the dream of Jamaica as a manufacturing and industrial powerhouse,” said Prime Minister Holness. Dr. Holness noted several strategic measures already in motion. These include the reduction of GCT on electricity from 15 percent to 7 percent, a major investment in prepaid metering to cut down online losses, and Government-funded support for household wiring upgrades, all of which are aimed at lowering energy costs for families and businesses alike. The Prime Minister also signaled a national policy shift toward renewables, pointing to falling prices in solar panel and battery technology as…