News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness met with key US Government Officials today, March 31, during his working visit in Washington DC. Marking the second day of his visit, the Prime Minister’s first meeting of the day took place with the Secretary of the Treasury, Janet Yellen. His second meeting of the day involved Gregory Meeks, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In the afternoon, the Prime Minister met with USAID Administrator, Ambassador Samantha Power. In the meantime, the Prime Minister will also meet with other US Government officials to include, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, Chairman of the House Finance Committee.

Millions of Dollars in Support Committed to Jamaica and Working Group to be Established to Facilitate Further Dialogue Prime Minister Andrew Holness met with Vice President of the United States, the Honourable Kamala Harris at the White House on Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Prime Minister Holness and Vice President Harris explored areas in which support and cooperation could be expanded between Jamaica and the United States. These include security, energy, capacity building, infrastructure development, and the creation of a nearshore digital technology hub. Prime Minister Holness noted that his visit takes place within the context of Jamaica’s celebration of 60 years of independence as well as the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States. He highlighted Jamaica’s success in the implementation of reforms to strengthen public financial management and establish a strong, stable, and resilient macroeconomic environment. This he noted was because of the hard work and sacrifice of the Jamaican people. To secure these gains, the Prime Minister said Jamaica must now turn its attention to addressing the vulnerabilities that had been exposed due to the ongoing pandemic, and other global developments.  The Prime Minister highlighted economic growth, national security, energy security and human capacity…

The Prime Minister says improving living conditions across the country is connected to a desire to ensure social justice for all Jamaicans and reduce criminality. Prime Minister Andrew Holness has underscored that the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) forms a critical part of the Government’s deliberate and strategic approach to fighting crime. The Prime Minister said that this housing thrust, could positively impact children’s learning and resultantly stem the number of youths falling into deviant and criminal behaviour. “The thinking is that if we improve the conditions under which people live, it will lift the general well-being of the society," said Prime Minister Holness. In the meantime, the Prime Minister expressed that the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation (MEGJC) intends to reach the goal of completing 315 social housing units by year-end. In addition, Prime Minister Holness outlined the bureaucracy of the NSHP and assured the public of the continued objectivity and transparency which have underpinned the programme’s success thus far. “It goes through a very rigorous process of evaluation. Once that evaluation is done, we try to fulfil the legal requirement for building a house,” the Prime Minister said. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness explained that the…

Condemns Gruesome Murder of Three Jamaicans in a Maverley Drive-by Shooting Which injured Three Others Prime Minister Andrew Holness is again calling on Jamaicans to cooperate with the police to stem the bloodshed in Jamaica. The Prime Minister made the appeal as he condemned the gruesome murder of three Jamaicans in a drive-by shooting on Thursday night which also injured three others. Prime Minister Holness said Jamaicans must realize that cooperating with the police is one of the most effective ways to help to rid Jamaica of crime and criminals. He noted that many Jamaicans are aware of criminal activities happening in their communities. The Prime Minister gave the reassurance that Jamaica now has a police force that will look after the safety of citizens who come forward with information on criminal activities. He also reminded Jamaicans that there are avenues for Jamaicans to anonymously provide information to the police and receive a reward. The Prime Minister reminded Jamaicans, that criminals do not care about them and that their objective is to kill innocent people. In this regard, the Prime Minister said this Government has no sympathy for criminals. Prime Minister Holness said the Government is deeply sensitive to law-abiding Jamaicans who are…

As announced by the Prime Minister in his contribution to the Budget Debate, effective March 18, 2022, the Orders under the Disaster Risk Management Act were revoked and a new Order issued under the Public Health Act with the few measures that have been retained. The new Order, The Public Health Enforcement Measures (Coronavirus COVID19 Order 2022) is published on the Office of the Prime Minister's website. The public is reminded that events are regulated under various laws and administered by various entities such as the Municipal Corporations and the Police from whom permits must be sought and licenses paid. Until further notice, permits granted will include a condition that the number of persons in a venue is to be below 70% of capacity. In addition, certain restrictions applicable to hospitals, nursing homes, infirmaries and correctional facilities will be matters of policy decided at the level of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, and the Ministry of National Security, as applicable and the institutions advised accordingly. Other than the restrictions described herein, all other measures have been removed. The public is, however, strongly encouraged to continue to voluntarily observe infection prevention and…

The Public Health Enforcement Measures (COVID19 Order 2022) and any amendment posted here took effect on Friday, March 18, 2022. The Public Health (Enforcement Measures) (Coronavirus (COVID-19) Order, 2022_220319_162742

The National Partnership Council convened its first meeting of 2022 on Wednesday, March 9 and addressed, among other matters, the future of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) restrictions. “The Disaster Risk Management Act has served us well and has allowed us to effectively manage our response to the crisis. Now we have to move into a new phase of the pandemic where our focus is on personal responsibility and economic recovery,'' the Prime Minister stated. The Partners supported the direction of the Government in evolving from the DRMA and asked that the appropriate steps be taken to continue to manage the pandemic while driving economic growth. The meeting under the chairmanship of Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, was advised that Minister Floyd Green, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister has been tasked with providing oversight of the Council. Minister Green who addressed the meeting indicated that; “A new structure that will achieve a more active and inclusive dialogue will be implemented this year, along with a new drive to ensure that the work of the Partnership is effectively communicated to the public.” The National Partnership Council, first launched in 2011, is a social dialogue…

The Governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the People’s National Party (PNP) led by their respective leaders, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Mark Golding, MP, met on Sunday, (February 27, 2022) for discussions under the Vale Royal Talks framework. The three and a half-hour dialogue was hosted by the University of the West Indies around an agenda which included National Security, Constitutional Reform, Health and Jamaica 60 commemorations. Prime Minister Holness and PNP President Mark Golding, MP, both gave opening remarks which set the tone of the meeting. For his part, Prime Minister Holness noted that “It is important particularly in our form of democracy, where two political parties dominate, that there is a means by which both political parties can meet and discuss issues affecting the nation.” The Prime Minister was positive about the prospects of the talks contributing to greater consensus on challenging national issues, “The talks, (in the past) have been successful and have assisted in reaching an understanding, particularly on critical national issues.” In this regard, the Prime Minister committed to ensuring their continuation. This being the first iteration of the Vale Royal Talks since becoming President of the People’s National Party, Mr Golding said, “This is something we've been…

Jamaica Customs Agency to be formally brought into the Get Every Illegal Gun Campaign Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that following a meeting of the National Security Council, the Jamaica Customs Agency will be formally brought into the Get Every Illegal Gun Campaign. The Prime Minister said the inclusion of the Jamaica Customs Agency under this campaign, means there will be an increased focus on ensuring that no illegal gun can penetrate Jamaica’s ports. “It is time that we get tough on the internal collaborators and facilitators who are allowing illegal guns to come into our country,” the Prime Minister said. In continuing, the Prime Minister said these facilitators profit from illegal guns coming in, while other Jamaicans die. It is time, he said, that these persons face serious consequences for their actions. In this regard, the Prime Minister has issued a strong warning to these actors, that without fear or favour, the Government will be looking very seriously and very closely at the operations of the entity. The Prime Minister said in the same way that the Anti-Gang Taskforce has been mobilised and has been reaping successes, the Get Every Illegal Gun Campaign is being expanded to incorporate Customs…