News from the OPM

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has indicated that Jamaica’s next generation is being positioned to inherit a more resilient economy and a more peaceful society, citing sustained progress in economic management and national security since 2016 as among the country’s most significant gains. Prime Minister Holness made the remarks during a meeting with the new executive of Generation 2000 on April 22, 2026. Dr. Holness noted that the focus on fiscal discipline, economic reform, and prudent management, central to the mission set at the start of his administration in 2016, has contributed to a more stable and resilient economic environment, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing Jamaica’s ability to withstand external shocks. “We are creating a Jamaica where the next generation will not have to contend with many of the challenges that defined previous periods, including high levels of debt and economic instability, as a result of this administration’s policies, which have ensured stronger fiscal discipline, a more predictable tax environment, increased investor confidence, and the establishment of buffers to withstand external shocks,” the Prime Minister said. Prime Minister Holness added that sustained investments in national security, alongside institutional strengthening and strategic interventions, have contributed to improved public safety and…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has issued a strong national call for a behavioural shift in how Jamaicans dispose of waste, warning that current practices pose a serious threat to the country’s environment, public health, and overall quality of life. Prime Minister Holness made the call while addressing residents in his West Central St. Andrew constituency on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Dr. Holness pointed to the widespread presence of litter across the island, noting that improper waste disposal has become a visible and growing concern. "There's scarcely a road that you can drive on in Jamaica that you don’t see littered along the way, and that speaks to a deeper issue in how we treat our environment,” he said. Emphasising that the challenge extends beyond infrastructure, the Prime Minister underscored the role of individual responsibility and national values. He questioned whether the country has become desensitised to suboptimal sanitation and environmental conditions, asking, "Have we become desensitized? Are we comfortable living in it as it is? Or have we simply accepted this as the norm in how we treat our surroundings?” The Prime Minister made it clear that such conditions are inconsistent with Jamaica’s identity and standards.…

“NaRRA is not a political entity. NaRRA is not there to be a long-term institution. NaRRA is an implementation machine. Its job is to take policy and convert it into outcomes. It's not there to win friends. It's not there to distribute political spoils.” -Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has underscored that the proposed National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) will serve as a decisive, time-bound mechanism to accelerate Jamaica’s post-disaster rebuilding, converting policy into tangible outcomes for citizens in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. Addressing members of the Jamaican Diaspora at a Conference in New York last week, Prime Minister Holness provided an update on the country’s recovery, noting that Jamaica has successfully transitioned from relief and recovery into the critical reconstruction phase following what he described as “the most powerful to have hit Jamaica in recorded history.” Despite the scale of destruction, the Prime Minister reported that essential services have been largely restored, with electricity, water, schools and hospitals now operational. He emphasized that this progress reflects both the resilience of the Jamaican people and the strength of the country’s disaster preparedness and fiscal management frameworks. “The country is functioning. We’re back…

Prime Minister Positions NaRRA as Central Mechanism for Recovery, Delivery and Economic Resurgence   Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness today tabled an updated version of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) Bill in Parliament, describing the legislation as one of the most consequential pieces of legislation Parliament has been asked to consider in the modern era of Jamaica’s development. He positioned the post-Melissa moment as a rare, time-limited opportunity to convert national vision into national delivery. “We are not restoring a pre-Melissa Jamaica. We are building a post-Melissa Jamaica that the generations before us dreamed of and the generations after us will inherit.” The Prime Minister noted that the IMF, World Bank Group, Inter-American Development Bank, CAF, and the Caribbean Development Bank have jointly committed a coordinated financing package of up to US$6.7 billion, the single largest development financing package ever assembled for Jamaica, and that the institutions have commended the Government’s decision to establish NaRRA, noting that few countries act so quickly to set up a modern, best-practice central coordinating body. However, Prime Minister Holness was direct about the financing gap. With assessed damage from Hurricane Melissa at US$12.2 billion, the US$6.7 billion multilateral package…

Theme: “Every School Moving: Move Your Way, Every Day” Jamaica will commemorate National School Moves Day on Friday, April 24, 2026, with a renewed national focus on increasing physical activity among students and fostering healthier school environments. The observance, under the theme “Every School Moving: Move Your Way, Every Day,” supports the Jamaica Moves in Schools Programme and aims to increase awareness, encourage regular physical activity breaks, and integrate movement into school calendars. This important initiative is being led by the Ministry of Health and Wellness in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information. The 2026 observance adopts a school-led model, empowering schools across all parishes to plan and execute activities that reflect their unique context while ensuring broad, inclusive participation. Call to Order All early childhood, primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions are strongly encouraged to participate by dedicating a minimum of 60 minutes during the school day to structured physical activity. Schools are urged to engage students, teachers, and parents in creative, inclusive activities that promote movement and teamwork. What to Expect National School Moves Day 2026 will feature: School-led physical activity sessions tailored to each institution; A National Planning Guide to support easy implementation; Parish-level…

The Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) is reminding the public that, under the Government of Jamaica’s ROOFS Programme, only one grant is permitted per household. Individuals who have already benefited from a housing-related grant through any Government initiative including, but not limited to, the National Housing Trust (NHT), TransJamaican Highway, Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF), or Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), are not eligible to receive assistance under the ROOFS Programme. The Ministry advises that all applications are subject to rigorous cross-checking across Government databases to ensure transparency, accountability, and the equitable distribution of benefits. This process is designed to prevent duplication and ensure that resources reach those most in need. Accordingly, persons who have previously received any Government-issued housing grant, regardless of the amount, will not qualify for assistance under the ROOFS Programme. Reminder: The required document when collecting grants is a valid Government-issued ID (e.g., passport, driver’s licence, or voter’s ID). For assistance, please contact the Ministry: Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: 876-582-8972 or 876-849-8614 Client Care: 876-922-8000-13 The Ministry remains committed to the fair, transparent, and efficient delivery of assistance to the most vulnerable households.

The Office of the Prime Minister yesterday hosted the official launch of the UNESCO Jamaica Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Report, marking a landmark milestone in Jamaica's pursuit of ethical, inclusive, and innovation-driven artificial intelligence governance. Delivering the opening remarks today, Dr. the Honourable Andrew Wheatley, Minister without Portfolio with Responsibility for Science, Technology and Special Projects, stated that Jamaica is among the first Caribbean countries to complete a national AI readiness assessment using UNESCO's globally recognized Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). “In a region still finding its footing in the governance of emerging technologies, Jamaica chose not to wait and see. We chose to lead. That decision is deliberate, disciplined, and forward-looking and is a direct reflection of how seriously this Government takes the responsible adoption of artificial intelligence,” Minister Wheatley said. The Minister outlined Jamaica’s deliberate and structured approach to artificial intelligence development, beginning with the establishment of the National Artificial Intelligence Task Force in August 2023, followed by the delivery of National AI Policy Recommendations in September 2024, and culminating in the completion of the UNESCO Readiness Assessment. He described this progression as a step-by-step effort to build a coherent, ethical, and people-centered national AI agenda. The launch event…

The Government of Jamaica has secured a US$50 million investment from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) to advance climate-resilient agriculture, with targeted support for vulnerable farmers and a strengthened national approach to food security. The initiative, ADAPT Jamaica: Enhancing Climate Change Resilience of Vulnerable Smallholders in Central Jamaica, is a joint government effort involving the Ministry of Water, Environment and Climate Change and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining. The programme will be implemented with key technical support from the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), the Development Bank of Jamaica (DBJ), and international partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Speaking on Monday (March 30) at a Special Press Briefing, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Honourable Matthew Samuda, emphasized Jamaica’s proactive approach to climate financing and resilience-building. “Ultimately every element of the triple planetary crisis is on full display in Jamaica. The UN Environment Programme lists the triple planetary crisis as pollution, the loss of biodiversity, and climate change, and one could say that Jamaica is on the front lines of each of these challenges. Jamaica, however, does not sit by as a victim that is helpless,” he said. Minister Samuda highlighted…

In a significant milestone marking the 60th anniversary of the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP), the Ministry of Labour and Social Security has officially launched a $9 million scholarship programme that will benefit 60 children of Jamaican farm workers under the theme “Unlocking Potential, Expanding Opportunities.” The initiative forms a key part of the anniversary celebrations, underscoring the Government’s continued commitment to recognizing the invaluable contributions of farm workers while investing in the future of their families. The launch was moderated by Mrs. Dione Jennings, Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Social Security, who highlighted that "This Government of Jamaica, through the Ministry of Labour and Social Security scholarship, is fertile soil for farm workers' children. It will nourish their growth, help to cultivate their potential, and yield a bountiful harvest of opportunities, sowing seeds for a brighter future for generations to come." The Honourable Pearnel Charles Jr., Minister of Labour and Social Security, remarked, “This initiative is about honouring the sacrifices and contributions of our farm workers by creating opportunities for their children to succeed. As we celebrate 60 years of the SAWP, we are also looking ahead, ensuring that the legacy of hard work and…