News from the OPM

Reaching the Forgotten: Government Confronts the Hidden Face of Poverty, Social Alienation
More Than Money: Government Taking a Comprehensive Approach to Breaking the Cycle of Poverty
Stable Economy, Safer Communities Paving the Way for Industrial Investment in Jamaica, Says Prime Minister Holness
Prime Minister Holness Reflects on Jamaica’s Industrial Past, Commends Vision Behind Spanish Town Redevelopment
Jamaica is Entering a New Era of Economic Transformation Fueled by Infrastructure and Long-Term Planning
Prime Minister Holness Urges National Focus on Training and Certification to Relieve Constraints on Growth
Government Invests $75 Million to Light Up Sabina Park and Revive Cricket to the Days of Glory

Government Invests $75 Million to Light Up Sabina Park and Revive Cricket to the Days of Glory

June, 27 2025
The Government of Jamaica continues to demonstrate its commitment to national development through real, tangible investment. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness visited Sabina Park last evening (June 16) to inspect the installation of new lighting infrastructure, funded by a $75 million allocation from the budget of the Government of Jamaica. This is part of a broader initiative to revitalize cricket in Jamaica and ensure that Sabina Park meets modern international standards. The upgraded lighting system, once fully installed, will allow Sabina Park to host both day and night matches, including international fixtures. The lights meet international broadcasting and visibility requirements, setting a new standard for cricket infrastructure in the region. In addition to the lighting investment, the Government of Jamaica has successfully secured the support of the Government of India for the installation of two state-of-the-art high-definition LED scoreboards. These scoreboards were custom-built and tested at Indian Premier League (IPL) stadiums before being shipped to Jamaica. They will replace the obsolete monochrome board and significantly enhance both fan experience and broadcast quality. Prime Minister Holness emphasized the strategic value of these investments, stating: “There has been much criticism about government support for cricket. But player development and commercial viability both…
Prime Minister Holness Warns Gunmen: “Put Down the Gun, Find Something Else to Do”

Prime Minister Holness Warns Gunmen: “Put Down the Gun, Find Something Else to Do”

June, 27 2025
Prime Minister Andrew Holness issued a stern warning to young men involved in criminal activity to turn away from violence and crime and become productive, law-abiding citizens. Speaking on Friday (June 13) at the groundbreaking and contract signing ceremony for the Village of Tower Hill Development in West Central St. Andrew, Prime Minister Holness said the government remains resolute in its mission to dismantle all gangs and hold perpetrators accountable. “Let me be clear. The government will eliminate and eradicate every single gang in Jamaica. Every contract killer, we will find you. Everyone importing guns, we will find you… Let it not be said that the government did not give a fair warning. Anyone contemplating these murders now or contemplating these kinds of crimes, we will find you,” he said. Issuing a direct appeal to young men drawn to the gang lifestyle, Prime Minister Holness said: “Put down the gun. Let me say it again to all the dons who believe they are above the law: find something else to do. Go into some business and come out of crime now. The people are getting a taste of what peace feels like. You are no longer a hero. You are…
Active Fathers Break the Cycle of Gang Violence -Prime Minister Holness

Active Fathers Break the Cycle of Gang Violence -Prime Minister Holness

June, 27 2025
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness is calling on Jamaican fathers, especially young and absent biological fathers, to take a more active role in their children’s lives, not just financially, but emotionally. The Prime Minister honoured Jamaican fathers on Wednesday during a special Father’s Day event held at the Office of the Prime Minister, OPM, where he delivered a powerful message on the importance of fatherhood in shaping families and the nation. Dr. Holness said emotional support is crucial to provide stability to help prevent children from joining gangs. Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Holness addressed the urgent need for more young fathers to be active in their children’s lives beyond financial provisions. “Much more is expected of you as fathers,” he stated. “Because, and in particular in the case of our society, where we have gangs that are active, that are looking to play the father role in the lives of our young men, we need our young fathers to step up and ensure that your children do not get recruited into these gangs.” The Prime Minister continued: “I use this platform on Father's Day to appeal to the biological fathers who may not be playing their role to…
Government to Transform Aged Housing in Communities in Spanish Town, St. Catherine

Government to Transform Aged Housing in Communities in Spanish Town, St. Catherine

June, 27 2025
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced that the Government will move to improve the aging housing units in sections of Spanish Town in St. Catherine. Speaking in the Spanish Town area recently, Prime Minister Holness committed to improving social intervention services in the old capital, where he spent his boyhood years. “In many communities, there is a need for social intervention to address the struggle of some communities. For communities where housing has reached a point where you are seeing significant leaks, for example, Tawes Pen and Ellerslie Pen, those houses were built more than 50 years ago. We are going to repair those houses and make sure the conditions there are livable. I get the reports about the sewerage in the community, the pipes that are broken, and some plants not working,” said Dr. Holness. The Government has already embarked on a project to improve the water and sewerage services in sections of St. Catherine, Portmore, and the Corporate Area through the Rio Cobre Water Improvement System. The Prime Minister visited the project site last month to get an update. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness says the Government has the space to make more improvements given the…
Prime Minister Holness Highlights Development in Action at New Social Housing Handing Over in Trelawny

Prime Minister Holness Highlights Development in Action at New Social Housing Handing Over in Trelawny

June, 27 2025
Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says he is committed to sustainable national development and community upliftment through the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP). Speaking at an NSHP handing over ceremony on Friday, June 6, 2025, in Warsop-Troy, Trelawny, the Prime Minister emphasized that the handing over of new homes is not a one-off event. Dr. Holness said the NSHP is a sustained effort to reach the most vulnerable across the island. “Every week we make it a point of duty to turn over houses that have been constructed, for beneficiaries who need them, under the new social housing programme,” Dr. Holness stated. Prime Minister Holness added that this effort is aligned with the government’s broader strategy to address critical issues such as infrastructure, healthcare, and community development. The Prime Minister stressed the connection between strong economic management and the ability to invest in social programmes that improve lives. “Your government runs the economy well. We have managed your money well, so that we have the revenues and the resources to constantly deliver these houses.” Highlighting the programme’s progress, the Prime Minister shared that approximately 300 homes have been built so far under the NSHP. The Prime Minister noted that an…
Myton Gully Project Proves Government is Getting the Job Done

Myton Gully Project Proves Government is Getting the Job Done

June, 27 2025
Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is delivering critical infrastructure projects, pointing to the newly completed Myton Gully Drainage Improvement Project in St. Catherine as clear evidence that the government is getting things done. Speaking on Tuesday (June 10) at the handing-over ceremony, Prime Minister Holness said significant work is being done across the country, but much of it is overlooked or unacknowledged. “What you hear about are the roads that aren't fixed. But you don't hear about the roads that we have fixed. What you hear about are the communities that don't have water. What you don't hear about are the communities that have gotten water,” Dr. Holness stated. The $326 million Myton Gully project addresses a long-standing flooding issue that has threatened thousands of residents in Old Harbour for decades. The government expanded the drainage system by installing four large culverts and paving over 200 meters of the gully’s invert, benefiting approximately 38,000 residents and countless motorists. The Prime Minister emphasized that projects such as this reflect a shift in government performance, from talk to action. “You are living in a different Jamaica created by a different government. This is a government that understands, a government that…
Prime Minister Holness Issues Stern Warning to Criminals as Jamaica’s Murder Rate Continues to Tumble

Prime Minister Holness Issues Stern Warning to Criminals as Jamaica’s Murder Rate Continues to Tumble

June, 27 2025
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has issued a strong message to criminals: "Abandon your illegal activities and take advantage of a changing Jamaica, one where crime is falling and peace is rising." Jamaica is currently recording a 35-year record low murder rate. Prime Minister Holness revealed that murders in Jamaica are down by 44.1% when compared to the same period last year. This remarkable decline, Dr. Holness says, reflects the success of the Government’s deliberate and sustained investment in national security. “Ten years ago, Jamaicans would have been of the view that murders would never come down in Jamaica and that we will always be a violent country. But look at us now. We have put in place a plan to secure Jamaica; we invested in our security forces, we improved their technology, we changed leadership and doctrine, we increased the number of officers and their mobility, and now we have a police force of which we can be proud,” Prime Minister Holness stated. As at June 8, 2025, a total of 713 prohibited weapons have been seized across the island, a significant increase from the 377 seized during the same period last year. The Prime Minister credited the enhanced capabilities of…
Tackling Domestic Violence Is Key to Building a Peaceful and Safe Jamaica

Tackling Domestic Violence Is Key to Building a Peaceful and Safe Jamaica

June, 25 2025
Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared that his administration is committed to tackling domestic violence and the culture of aggression that has taken root in Jamaican communities. Dr. Holness says addressing these issues is crucial to building a peaceful and safe society. Prime Minister Holness has emphasized that violence is not only a public safety issue but also a deeply rooted social problem that continues to undermine the nation’s quality of life. “In many communities across Jamaica, particularly in the inner city, many of our women and children are suffering serious abuse. Some of our men are also experiencing serious domestic abuse. Believe it or not, 20% of the cases reported are of men being abused,” the Prime Minister stated. Importantly, the Prime Minister expressed concern about the culture that discourages men from speaking out about abuse, noting that this long-standing mindset has contributed to a wider societal problem. “We have a society where we tend to want to say, ‘You’re not tough. You have to tough it out.’ But what that has done for the last 40 years is to embed in us a certain aggression that has deteriorated the quality of life that we experience,” said Dr. Holness.…
Holness Administration Commits to Continuing to Change Jamaica and Deliver Results

Holness Administration Commits to Continuing to Change Jamaica and Deliver Results

June, 25 2025
Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaicans can trust his administration, which has delivered a strong track record of performance. Dr. Holness says he is committed to continuing to deliver real results for Jamaicans. This is as six additional families in the parish of Trelawny received the keys to brand-new homes under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP). Speaking on Friday (June 6) as he handed over a unit to Ms. Ivylin Thompson, Prime Minister Holness said his administration will continue to improve and positively impact the lives of the people. “It's one government that has changed Jamaica in tangible ways that nobody can question, and it is this government. Every single day we change the life of a Jamaican. Whether it is a change through housing, a change through water, a change through road infrastructure, a change through social pension, and so on. We are the government that is changing Jamaica,” Dr. Holness said. The Prime Minister emphasized that the government’s ability to consistently meet the needs of the people, whether through housing, water, or roads, is rooted in strong economic management and disciplined fiscal planning, which are crucial to funding these critical infrastructure projects. Dr. Holness noted that previous administrations…