News from the OPM

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a powerful reminder to Jamaicans to examine the track record of delivery when evaluating leadership, especially during the “promising season”. Speaking yesterday (May 27) at the groundbreaking ceremony for the long-anticipated Ferry to Rock Pond Pipeline Project in St. Andrew, Prime Minister Holness says this administration has been consistently delivering on long-standing infrastructure needs and that this water project is just one of many. “It doesn't matter what you are promised; you have to look at the track record of delivery. Does the promisor, the man with the good intent, have the wherewithal to deliver?” The Prime Minister made it clear that the project was not a hasty move or pre-election stunt but the result of years of planning and economic improvement under his government. He said many of the projects now coming to fruition were long in the making, delayed not by negligence or lack of will, but by previous financial constraints. “These projects that we are breaking ground for today are not new projects. They were on the books, many of them, for a long time. Was it because they didn’t care? Was it because they were lackadaisical? No. They didn’t have the…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the Government has invested more than $87 billion in national security since 2016, nearly three times the amount spent in the eight years prior, a move that has significantly transformed Jamaica’s security landscape. Between 2008 and 2015, national security spending totalled approximately $26 billion. In contrast, the current administration has allocated $87.07 billion over the period 2016 to 2024, including a record $19.5 billion in a single year. “So, who is really spending and ensuring that you are safe? Who is really equipping the security forces and putting the money where it matters?” the Prime Minister asked. He credited the transformation to the implementation of the Plan Secure Jamaica strategy, a comprehensive, multi-agency approach to enhancing law enforcement capacity, intelligence, technology, and personnel development. Key achievements under the plan include: Growing the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) from approximately 6,000–7,000 to nearly 10,000. Increasing the number and training of Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) officers. Installing new scanners at ports to detect firearms and contraband. Expanding forensic, investigative, and intelligence training across the force. The Prime Minister also praised the improved performance of the JCF, noting their rapid response time and increased success in solving…

Jamaica continues to see a steady decline in serious crime, the result of sustained investment, structured planning, and a clear focus on strengthening national security. Speaking at a recent event, Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness pointed to the shift in narrative surrounding crime trends and public safety. “When crime was going up, there was no hesitation to assign blame. Now that the numbers are going down, they say the Government can’t take credit,” he said. The Prime Minister outlined the practical steps taken to equip law enforcement with the tools and infrastructure needed to operate effectively. The police force has grown from approximately 9,000 to over 14,000 officers. New and upgraded police stations have been delivered across the island. Communication systems and digital recordkeeping have been modernized. Mobility and logistical support have been significantly improved. “The police are better supported than they have ever been,” the Prime Minister noted. “That is not by accident. It is the result of consistent investment and structured leadership.” He noted that crime reduction is not a passive outcome, but a product of deliberate choices made over time, backed by resources, policy, and execution. “You cannot separate results from the work that produced them. That…

Minister with Responsibility for Water, the Honourable Matthew Samuda, says the Government is making bold investments to solve Jamaica’s water crisis and restore comfort to households that have waited decades for reliable access. Speaking at a recent event, Minister Samuda acknowledged the public frustration, especially from communities still experiencing water challenges. “I understand the frustration. You hear about billions being spent and you’re still using a pan. But we are coming,” he said. Minister Samuda explained that while rain and river water may be free, the infrastructure to deliver it to homes is not. “To catch water is not free. To store it is not free. To clean it is not free. To get it to your pipe is not free,” he said. Minister Samuda noted that for over 50 years, little to no investment was made in Jamaica’s water systems. The result is a backlog the Government is now working to clear through a historic $10 billion investment in water and sewerage infrastructure. “We are investing more than ever before in water and sewage. We are doing it to bring comfort to your home and confidence to your business,” he added. He emphasized that economic growth and business expansion…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness has called on the newest cohort of police trainees to uphold the highest standards of responsibility, respect, and humanity as he addressed them during a visit on Saturday (May 24) to the Tranquility Bay Police Training Facility in St. Elizabeth. “You represent a significant investment of the Jamaican people in our security,” the Prime Minister told the trainees. “Our intention is to have a police force of which the people of Jamaica will feel proud.” Prime Minister Holness reminded the recruits that their role carries significant authority, but that authority must never be misused. “The authority that you will have by virtue of the positions you will occupy as members of the security forces must at all times be used with respect. It must be used with great care and responsibility,” he said. The Prime Minister continued: “It must never be abused. It must never be used for your personal gain. It must never be used to take advantage of… and it must never be used with disregard for the citizen.” Dr. Holness noted that how officers exercise their authority will affect how the public engages with them. “You will find that…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced the upcoming rollout of a new Solidarity Programme aimed at identifying and supporting Jamaicans who are not currently receiving any form of government assistance. The initiative, Prime Minister Holness explained, is designed to close the final gaps in Jamaica’s social protection network. "There are Jamaicans who, for various reasons, have never received support under PATH, the Social Pension, HEART NSTA Trust, or any of our other programmes. These individuals are often the most vulnerable, the most excluded, and the most in need," said the Prime Minister. The Solidarity Programme will focus on proactive outreach, providing direct cash support to those who are off the radar and helping them transition into the formal system. "This is about inclusion. It’s about dignity, and it’s about making sure that our progress reaches every Jamaican in every corner of the country," Dr. Holness emphasized. The Prime Minister noted that the new initiative will complement broader reforms being undertaken in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, including an ongoing review of PATH and digitization of benefits delivery. "We are building a Jamaica where no one is invisible, and no one is forgotten. This is how we move forward,…

Amidst global economic challenges, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Jamaica has emerged as a model of resilience and recovery, recording a 50% reduction in our national poverty rate between 2021 and 2023. Prime Minister Holness addressed the nation on the historic milestone, underscoring the significance of this progress in a time of international hardship. "We live in a world where poverty is rising in many regions, where post-pandemic recovery has stalled, and where inflation continues to stretch household incomes. Yet here in Jamaica, we have made real progress. We have protected our people and grown our economy. We have proven that good governance and strong leadership make a difference," the Prime Minister noted. Prime Minister Holness also credited the coordinated efforts of government ministries, agencies, and community organizations who have worked to expand training, improve access to jobs, and widen the social safety network. "This is a collective achievement. It belongs to the hard-working people of Jamaica who showed up, leaned in, and believed that better was possible. Our responsibility now is to protect these gains, deepen our efforts, and ensure that no one is left behind," said the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has outlined that the government’s comprehensive policy framework has led to the most dramatic reduction in Jamaica’s poverty rate in over three decades. Prime Minister Holness described the approach as 'deliberate, people-centred, and multi-dimensional', emphasizing that poverty cannot be addressed by income support alone. "We focused on employment, access to education, healthcare, and inclusion. We improved the minimum wage by over 44%, introduced the social pension, and are currently reviewing PATH to better serve those most in need," the Prime Minister said. Dr. Holness said these interventions were not designed for short-term optics but for sustainable change. "Every decision was rooted in the belief that Jamaicans deserve not just to survive but to thrive. Our investments in training through HEART, our wage reforms, and our focus on real, inclusive development have made a difference," he explained. The Prime Minister also dismissed claims that the government’s approach favours large businesses at the expense of ordinary citizens. "Nothing could be further from the truth. The numbers speak for themselves. Poverty is down because people are earning more, accessing more, and living with more dignity," Dr. Holness noted.

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has declared that the Government is within reach of achieving what once seemed like an impossible dream, the complete eradication of absolute poverty in Jamaica. Referencing the recent decline in the national poverty rate to 8.2%, Prime Minister Holness expressed that Jamaica is now 'within striking distance' of ending absolute poverty. "This is not just a slogan or a political soundbite. It is a measurable, data-driven goal that we are actively pursuing with care and precision," the Prime Minister said. Absolute poverty is defined by the inability to meet the most basic human needs, such as food, shelter, education, and healthcare. The Prime Minister emphasized that under this administration, there has been significant progress across all these dimensions. "We have increased the minimum wage, boosted employment, expanded PATH and social pension programmes, and invested heavily in education and skills training, all of which directly target the roots of poverty." While acknowledging the work ahead, Prime Minister Holness affirmed that the vision is clear: "We are building a Jamaica where no one is left behind. Where poverty is not inherited but defeated."