News from the OPM

“The Government is actively addressing any challenges to ensure that all beneficiaries receive their homes as soon as possible. We recognize the difficulties faced by those waiting, and we are making every effort to expedite the process while maintaining the integrity of the programme.” - Prime Minister Holness  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Prime Minister Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness says the government of Jamaica is fully committed to the timely delivery of social housing to beneficiaries across the island. Despite reports of two of the 300 units built being delayed, Prime Minister Holness is assuring the public that these setbacks are not due to inefficiency or lack of commitment but rather challenges within the contracting process. Nevertheless, every effort is being made to ensure that beneficiaries receive their homes as soon as possible while adhering to proper protocols and governance standards. Speaking last Friday (January 31, 2025) at a New Social Housing Handing Over in South St. James, Prime Minister Holness reiterated that the Government understands the concerns of beneficiaries awaiting housing under the programme. Dr. Holness says he is sympathetic to their situations. "We acknowledge reports of housing delays and understand the frustration of those affected. The Government is actively…

“Come back with a good heart and a good mind. Come back willing to work. Come back with your resources. You will be able to make life here.” - Prime Minister Holness -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reassured Jamaicans that the government is fully prepared to receive returning and deported nationals amid changes in U.S. immigration policies. Prime Minister Holness emphasized all hardworking Jamaicans returning will be welcomed in their homeland as they reintegrate into society. “Jamaicans all over the world will always be welcome back to your homeland. We are prepared to receive all our hardworking Jamaicans who have been in the United States or wherever they may have gone for economic benefits. Jamaica has always been, since its colonial days to now, a net supplier of talent to the world. It may be a good thing to have some of our Jamaican talent return to our shores to help us to build our country,” Prime Minister Holness stated. While welcoming law-abiding Jamaicans, the Prime Minister also issued a strong warning to individuals with criminal intent. Dr. Holness made it clear that the government will not tolerate any efforts to destabilize communities or…

“It is essential that we focus on the most vulnerable, particularly those who cannot afford to repair their homes themselves. Together, we can help to strengthen our communities, protect our citizens, and ensure that our nation is better prepared for the challenges that lie ahead in the next hurricane season.” -Prime Minister Holness -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has announced an additional allocation of $315 million to assist the most vulnerable households across the island in repairing roofs damaged by heavy rainfall. This initiative, which will provide $5 million per constituency, is aimed at enhancing the resilience of Jamaican homes ahead of future weather events. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday (January 28), Prime Minister Holness emphasized the importance of infrastructure resilience, particularly in light of the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl and subsequent heavy rainfall between July and December of last year. “As we all know, roofs are oftentimes the first point of failure during a storm, and the damage they incur can render families homeless or in dire conditions. The experience of Hurricane Beryl has served as a harsh reminder of climate change and the importance of resilience in our infrastructure,” said Prime Minister Holness.…

At a January 29, 2025, Post Cabinet Press Briefing, former banker, Senator the Honourable Aubyn Hill, Minister of Industry, Investment, and Commerce, has called upon Jamaica’s commercial banks to lower their lending interest rates in alignment with recent monetary policy adjustments by the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ). This appeal aims to stimulate economic growth by making credit more accessible to businesses and consumers. BOJ has consistently reduced its policy interest rate, signalling a shift towards a more accommodative monetary policy stance. Despite this, many commercial banks have yet to adjust their lending rates accordingly. At the press briefing, Minister Hill emphasized the importance of passing on the benefits of lower policy rates to the wider economy, stating: “Our financial institutions should be acting in concert with the BOJ’s policy direction. Now is the time to reduce rates. Reducing lending rates will empower our businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to invest, expand, and contribute to national development.” Minister Hill’s call aligns with recent appeals from members of the public and the private sector urging banks to respond to the BOJ’s rate cuts.

His Excellency, the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen, Governor-General of Jamaica, in consultation with the security forces, has declared a State of Public Emergency for the geographical area comprising the St. Catherine North Police Division effective today, Tuesday, January 28, 2025. The St. Catherine North Police Division, especially Spanish Town and surrounding areas, remains volatile following last week’s unrest. As a result, the security forces have requested immediate intervention to address the escalating threat to public safety and prevent further destabilization. The boundaries of the State of Public Emergency in the St. Catherine North Division are defined as follows: East: Starting in the vicinity of Windsor Castle and Carron Hall and extending south-easterly along the common boundary for the parishes of St Catherine, St Mary, and then St. Andrew to Rock Hall. South: Thence generally in a south-westerly direction for approximately 33km at a bearing of approximately 219 degrees to where the communities of Cromarty, Bushy Park and Old Harbour Road meet. Continuing in a northerly direction for approximately 5km to the P.J. Patterson Highway. Thence extending generally in a north-westerly direction for approximately 19km at a bearing of approximately 307 degrees to where the communities of Old Harbour, Rock…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says the passing of Professor the Honourable Sir Fitzroy (Roy) Richard Augier, OJ is a major loss to the academic, historical, literary, Jamaican and Caribbean communities. A renowned historian and educator, Professor Sir Roy Augier, died this morning. He was one hundred years old. Professor Augier played a crucial role in shaping the narrative of Jamaica and Caribbean history, authored several seminal works chronicling the history of our peoples, and was a central figure in academic excellence for more than 60 years. Born in St. Lucia, Sir Roy made Jamaica his home in the 1950s following his studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona. In his tribute, Prime Minister Holness said: “Professor Augier was a pioneer, a visionary, the consummate educator whose life was dedicated to illuminating the lived history of our ancestors and shaping the narrative and knowledge of generations of Jamaican and Caribbean people. The adjectives to describe his work and impact would be too voluminous. As a researcher, professor and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies Prof inspired generations of scholars and leaders. His groundbreaking research and publications on our history and culture are testament to his…

“We are the country of the fastest man alive; we must translate that speed on the track to the speed of doing business.” - Prime Minister Holness ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness says greater efficiency is needed for economic growth. Dr. Holness has announced a taskforce to improve and drive Jamaica's economic efficiency and foster rapid growth. The taskforce will be known as the SPEED Task Force (Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development). Speaking on Tuesday, (January 21, 2025) at the 20th Regional Investments & Capital Markets Conference hosted by the Jamaica Stock Exchange, the Prime Minister said the new task force will address bureaucratic bottlenecks, streamline approval processes, and ensure Jamaica becomes the most business-friendly and citizen-focused country in the region. “We are determined to end the outdated notion that efficiency compromises quality. Or put it another way, if it didn't take long to be done, it wasn't done well. We are the country of the fastest man alive. We must translate that speed on the track to the speed of doing business. To drive this transformation, I will appoint the Speed Task Force, Streamlining Processes for Efficiency and Economic Development and we will do that by…

The National Security Council was briefed on the disruption of public order, citizen security, and commercial activities in Spanish Town attributed to gang activity. This was among the priority agenda items for discussion at the monthly meeting of the National Security Council chaired by the Prime Minister, Dr the Most Honourable Andrew Holness on January 23, 2025. The Council has directed the security forces to restore and maintain order in the area and protect citizens going about their lawful business. While the JCF has dedicated manpower and other resources to return calm to the area, the intelligence assessment is that gangs continue to pose a threat to public order, citizen security, public services, and commerce. Beyond this immediate situation and the measures to address it, a more insidious concern is that gangs have captured and entrenched themselves in communities and have enlisted community members and their support to misguided ends. The Council notes that significant effort has been made to improve the relationship between citizens and the security forces. The JCF has assured that in its operations against the gangs in the area it will do everything to protect innocent citizens and preserve good relations with the community. In receiving…

The Government of Jamaica is intensifying its focus on improving infrastructure and driving economic transformation in the parish of Westmoreland. Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness made the declaration today (Friday, January 24) while in the parish to hand over four social housing units under the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP). Dr. Holness acknowledged the parish's potential and the urgent need to address longstanding issues. Prime Minister Holness has outlined a comprehensive approach that will deliver targeted solutions to benefit the residents of Westmoreland. Dr. Holness highlighted key priorities, including infrastructure development, enhanced health services, and economic opportunities. "Westmoreland is in need of specific attention as it relates to infrastructure, roads, and water. And I am very much aware in terms of health facilities. I am aware that the Savanna-la-Mar Hospital is indeed overburdened at this time.” Prime Minister Holness assured residents that plans to address these challenges will feature prominently in the government’s upcoming budget. Dr. Holness emphasized the creation of an economic plan aimed at unlocking the parish’s potential while generating sustainable income opportunities for young people. “Westmoreland has many assets, many opportunities, and we are going to ensure that we put in place an economic plan for Westmoreland,…