News from the OPM

Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to expanding access to affordable housing with the groundbreaking of a major residential development in Rozelle Estate, St. Thomas. Speaking today (May 8, 2026) at the National Housing Trust Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Rozelle Estate Development in St. Thomas, Prime Minister Holness said the Government remains focused on increasing the pace of housing delivery while ensuring that housing solutions are affordable, accessible, and resilient for Jamaican families. Prime Minister Holness said the administration’s housing policy is designed to ensure that hardworking Jamaicans who obey the law, work consistently, and save responsibly can access suitable homes within a reasonable timeframe. “We're going to bring more housing solutions to the market at a faster pace, more affordable and more accessible, so that the person who is leaving school, who has done all that society has said that they should do, and who comes on the housing market, ready to purchase, finds a housing solution.  We want anyone who enters the housing market for a home to be able to find an affordable solution in a decent period of time. That is the objective of the housing policy,” said Prime Minister…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness today reinforced the Government’s focus on early literacy as he participated in Read Across Jamaica Day 2026 at Jamaica House. The engagement brought together students from across the corporate area for an interactive reading session on the Jamaica House lawns. The Prime Minister read with the children and joined them in song, creating a lively environment that encouraged learning and expression. Prime Minister Holness underscored that literacy remains a cornerstone of national development, noting that strong reading skills are essential to improving educational outcomes and expanding opportunity for young Jamaicans. The initiative was supported by UNICEF, a key partner in advancing child-focused development programmes in Jamaica. Read Across Jamaica Day forms part of ongoing national efforts to strengthen foundational learning and foster a culture of reading among the country’s youth.

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has emphasised the importance of clarity in understanding the distinction between the work of the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA). Speaking at the UDC Board Retreat on April 30, the Prime Minister noted that both entities have distinct mandates. “The UDC has its mandate, and NARRA has its mandate, and they must not come into conflict or in competition with each other.” NaRRA cannot and was never intended to take over the functions of the UDC; it cannot displace the regular operations of the economy, including current and future projects of the UDC. He described NaRRA as an executing mechanism designed to deliver projects with speed, efficiency, and accountability. “NARRA has to be agile, and it has to meet international accountability standards and pace.” Dr. Holness also addressed the broader environment in which new systems are introduced, cautioning against narratives that may undermine progress. “There is nothing wrong with being constructively critical, but there is everything wrong with being deceptively critical.” He emphasised that the Government’s focus remains on outcomes and delivery. “People want results, and I am focused on results.” Meanwhile, the Prime Minister…

Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness has called for a comprehensive and sustained effort to transform Jamaica’s urban centres, positioning urban renewal as a critical driver of productivity, public order, and national development. Addressing the UDC Board Retreat on April 30, the Prime Minister highlighted the need to address long-standing issues affecting town centres and built environments. “We must look at responding to urban decay and create a system for urban renewal, especially to give a new lease on life to our town centres, which are chaotic, untidy, and do not lend themselves to productivity and efficiency in the conduct of business.” Dr. Holness emphasised that the design and condition of communities directly influence economic activity and public safety, noting that poorly structured environments can limit law enforcement effectiveness. “We have realised great progress in crime fighting; however, there is a limit to what police can do, particularly as it relates to how our communities are built. The way many of our communities are structured lends to them becoming a refuge for criminals.” He underscored the need to create communities that are orderly, functional, and “policeable,” while acknowledging the complexity of issues such as informal settlements. “Squatting is…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the national importance of preserving Jamaica’s heritage assets while ensuring that they deliver meaningful economic benefits to the people. Speaking at the UDC Board Retreat on April 30, Prime Minister Holness was emphatic in his position on the status of Dunn’s River. “Dunn’s River is a heritage site. It is for the people of Jamaica, and it must never be held privately.” At the same time, he stressed that heritage assets must be managed in a way that unlocks their full value for national development. “The people must get the benefit of it in terms of unlocking its economic capacity,” the Prime Minister said. Dr. Holness also highlighted opportunities for inclusive development, referencing Belmont Cove, also known as Little Dunn’s River, and the importance of integrating existing operators into formal systems. “It is not the objective of the government to displace those people because they are being enterprising, but we need to bring it under effective management.” He outlined an approach that combines structure, training, and inclusion. “Bring them in, train them, put them in the right uniform, and allow them to operate within the space so that they can…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has outlined a national vision to expand access to high-quality public spaces across Jamaica, directing the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) to establish a park in every parish. Speaking at the UDC Board Retreat on April 30, the Prime Minister emphasised that development must translate into tangible improvements in the daily lives of Jamaicans, particularly through accessible, well-designed recreational spaces. “The UDC must establish a park in every parish, and this is a mandate it is together carrying out with the NHT.” The initiative reflects a broader effort to ensure that citizens across the island can benefit from safe, attractive, and well-managed environments for recreation, community engagement, and wellness. The Prime Minister highlighted the transformative impact of developments like Harmony Beach Park, emphasising the role such spaces play in reshaping communities and enhancing the quality of life. Dr. Holness also instructed the UDC to identify and present lands suitable for development, underscoring the importance of efficient use of state assets. “The UDC must now come back to me with lands available for possible parks in each parish.” He reinforced the importance of timely execution and disciplined project management. In addition to parks, the…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has called on the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) to embrace a transformative vision for Jamaica’s development, urging the agency to deliver projects that inspire national pride and reflect the country’s ambition in our post-independence era. Addressing the UDC Board Retreat in New Kingston today, April 30, the Prime Minister made it clear that Jamaica has entered a new phase of development that requires scale, confidence, and forward-thinking execution. “Be iconic. Build big things, great things, symbolic things that are indicative of our ambitions and the future we want to create." Dr. Holness emphasised that in addition to function, development in this era must create spaces and structures that shape identity, elevate standards, and signal Jamaica’s capacity to compete on a global stage. “We must not be afraid to build things. We must not be afraid of big successes.” The Prime Minister noted that Jamaica has already made significant progress in strengthening its fiscal position and institutional framework but stressed that the next phase must focus on delivery. “Jamaica is progressing in phases. We have achieved progress in fiscal management and institutional strengthening. The next phase must be to fix how institutions work…

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, has called for urgent and decisive parental intervention to address the growing incidence of violence and anti-social behaviour among students, warning that Jamaica is confronting a broader erosion of core social values. The Prime Minister made the call while delivering remarks at the Sabbath Worship Convention under the Proclamations of Hope Youth Empowerment Series on Saturday, April 25, 2026, where he addressed parents, youth, and church leaders on the shifting social realities facing the nation. Emphasising the critical role of the family in shaping behaviour and values, Dr. Holness underscored the need for stronger parental involvement in guiding young people. “Parents must assume a more active and deliberate role in the upbringing of their children. The pace at which our society is changing, driven by rapid access to information and shifting global influences, is outstripping the reinforcement of values that traditionally guide behaviour,” the Prime Minister stated. He further stated that “Without that foundation, we risk raising a generation that is exposed to knowledge but lacks the context, discipline, and moral grounding to apply it responsibly.” Dr. Holness pointed to troubling behaviours emerging within schools, including gambling, vaping, bullying, and instances of…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness says the Government of Jamaica does not build houses, emphasising that housing delivery is undertaken by contractors engaged through structured and legally defined arrangements. The Prime Minister was speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Galina Housing Development in St. Mary, where he underscored the central role of contractors in national development, particularly as the Government scales up its housing and development programme. Prime Minister Holness indicates that contractors are essential partners in the achievement of Jamaica’s housing targets and must expand their capacity in line with the country’s growing demand for housing solutions. He notes that as the Government increases its investment in housing development, the contracting sector must also evolve to meet the scale and pace required. He is urging the development of a stronger local contracting class that operates at an enterprise level, with the systems, structure, and capacity to deliver large-scale projects efficiently. The Prime Minister highlights the importance of professionalism and the integration of technology to support the increasing volume of capital works being brought to market. While noting that the Government continues and will continue to make preferential arrangements for local contractors, Prime Minister Holness emphasises…