News from the OPM

The Government of Jamaica is condemning the latest in a series of inflammatory statements made by the Opposition which threatens the erosion of press freedom. The Government notes that the highly divisive statement emanating on a political platform on the weekend has caused unease, consternation and significant fear among members of the media. These statements have no place in a modern democratic Jamaica. In pointing out the persistent attacks on the media, the Government has observed several incidents including the recent verbal assault on members of the media for wearing a particular colour, the careless and crass statement on rape and attacks on persons who have left media to give of themselves to serve in the public service. The facts will show that qualified persons from across several media entities have joined the public service to help modernise and transform services to the people of Jamaica. The succession of incidents and verbal assaults displayed by the Opposition have shown that it constantly feeds a rhetoric aimed at destabilising Jamaica’s media landscape and threatens the safety of individuals. Minister with responsibility for Information Hon. Robert Morgan has chided the Opposition stating, “Jamaica has enjoyed high rankings in the Global Press Freedom Index. In fact, Jamaica…

 “We are planning to do 4,500 new housing solutions for the parish of Westmoreland.” - Prime Minister Holness -------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government plans to complete 4,500 new housing solutions for the parish of Westmoreland. These 4,500 units are in addition to the 3,000 units already completed. Speaking at the National Housing Trust's (NHT) groundbreaking ceremony for the Sheffield Palms development in Westmoreland, Prime Minister Holness underscored that there are several projects slated for Westmoreland. The Prime Minister said, “We are planning to do 4,500 new housing solutions for the parish of Westmoreland. These will include Shrewsbury Phase 1- 41 housing solutions, which are under construction, Shrewsbury Phase 2- 27 housing solutions which start next year, and Orolands- 520 housing solutions, which will start next year. We have Paradise- 2,453 housing solutions that are projected to start next year. We have Negril Spot, 140 housing starts, that is under development and is projecting a 2025 start. We have Fontabell- 325 units, and we are projecting a 2025 start as well.” Other developments completed in Westmoreland include Shrewsbury Phases 1, 2 and 4, which have 615 housing solutions, Frome, which has 665 housing solutions, Mailers Field, with 230 housing solutions and Whitehall,…

“What we can’t do in this new phase of our development is to become disunited, we must continue to think of one Jamaica. We must continue to think of Jamaica as the place of choice where we can all live, work and raise our families and do business.” - Prime Minister Holness ---------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness is upbeat as the country continues to secure more economic gains. In this regard, the Prime Minister has encouraged Jamaicans to be patient and stay united as there are attempts to divide the country along political and social lines. With eight consecutive quarters of steady economic growth, the unemployment rate at its lowest in the recorded history of the statistics, and the country’s net international reserves at 4.14 billion USD, Prime Minister Holness emphasized there is steady growth in the economy. He noted the effects of this will soon be replicated even more within the society. The Prime Minister said: “What we can’t do in this new phase of our development is to become disunited, we must continue to think of one Jamaica. We must continue to think of Jamaica as the place of choice where we can all live, work and raise our families and…

In response to the tragic shooting and arson attack that shook the Gregory Park community in St. Catherine, Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a comprehensive set of compassionate initiatives to support the victims to return to normalcy; this includes back-to-school assistance and assistance with rebuilding their homes.The Prime Minister's address highlighted a robust commitment to not only healing the emotional scars left by the attack but also empowering the affected families to rebuild their lives with dignity and resilience.Prime Minister Holness began by expressing his profound empathy for the victims, stating, "I'm obviously moved by what I've seen here and the recount of the incident by those who were victims. I don't think that anyone could truly appreciate the terror that the people who live in this community would have felt and experienced."With an unwavering focus on solutions, the Prime Minister emphasized the government's dedication to addressing the immediate needs of the affected families. "I give the commitment that the government will provide fully for the families who have been displaced so that they are able to return to school," he declared, echoing the importance of ensuring a seamless return to education for the community's children.Prime Minister Holness also…

“We are taking the dividends of the economic performance…to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty.”- Prime Minister Holness   Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the good economic performance of the country has provided the government with the ability to better address the needs of the people.In this regard, the Prime Minister said: “We are taking the dividends of the economic performance, some of which we have put into the compensation review to increase the public sector salaries, some of it is going into programmes like the Lift Programme, Heart NSTA Trust, and social welfare programmes to lift the most vulnerable out of poverty.Speaking on Friday (August 11) at the National Housing Trust (NHT) groundbreaking ceremony for Sheffield Palms in Westmoreland, the Prime Minister noted that there are many Jamaicans who are not earning optimum because they have no skills or are not certified.In response to this problem of unskilled Jamaicans, the government has put programmes in place to reach out to those Jamaicans who are not in the labour force or are about to come into the labour force.The Prime Minister said, “We have recently launched a new programme called the Lift Programme, which is in its pilot phase…

His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, is pleased to announce that Mr. Paul Barnaby P.B Scott, renowned businessman, trailblazer, CEO, Chairman, and Principal Shareholder of the Musson Group, will be awarded the country’s second highest civilian honour, the esteemed Order of Jamaica. Mr. Scott is being awarded in recognition of his exceptional contributions to Jamaica's economic development and his outstanding leadership in the business sector. Mr. P.B. Scott's visionary leadership has been instrumental in transforming the Musson Group into a diversified conglomerate operating in 30 countries. Under his guidance, the company has expanded its presence in various industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, food, pharmaceutical distribution, telecommunications and information technology, and insurance. At the age of 47, Mr. Scott becomes one of the youngest to receive this esteemed national honour. Since assuming the role of CEO and Chairman in 2004 and previously serving as Executive Deputy Chairman since 2000, Mr. Scott's unwavering dedication and entrepreneurial acumen have been central to the Musson Group's astounding growth. The company now boasts an annual turnover exceeding US$1.3 billion and employs over 7,000 individuals, contributing significantly to Jamaica's economic prosperity. Under his leadership, The Musson Group has emerged as a powerful force for positive…

“We have decided that we are going to do a massive overall of the PATH programme in significant ways to ensure that the beneficiary identification system is far more targeted than it is now.” - Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a targeted restructuring of the Programme of Advancement through Health and Education, PATH, to improve the systems in place to assist the most vulnerable. Speaking yesterday (August 3, 2023) at his Quarterly press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister, he noted that while the government has done well to manage its economic stability in the face of global inflation, more needs to be done to alleviate the struggles of the less fortunate in the population. In this regard, the Prime Minister said the government intends to support this section of the population by targeting key areas like the PATH programme and lending more support to the education system to assist those in need. “We have decided that we are going to do a massive overall of the PATH programme in significant ways to ensure that the beneficiary identification system is far more targeted than it is now. Too often when I go into constituencies…

The Most Honourable Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica, yesterday welcomed Kenya’s commitment to lead a multinational security force in Haiti. In a telephone conversation with His Excellency, William Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed Jamaica’s commitment to support multinational security and humanitarian missions to Haiti. He also commended President Ruto and the people of Kenya for their willingness to lead a multinational security force and for committing to provide 1000 security personnel to this effort. In discussing Jamaica’s early expressed willingness to participate in such a force, Prime Minister Holness advised that Jamaica would commit to providing an initial 200 security personnel. The two leaders recognized that together with the Bahamian commitment to provide 150 personnel, this would bring the CARICOM commitment at this time, to 350. Prime Minister Holness expressed hope that more countries, whether in the region of the Americas, the continent of Africa or elsewhere, would also step forward with personnel commitments, and that the requisite UN Security Council Resolution will be adopted in order to provide the appropriate jurisdictional framework for the security force. Regarding CARICOM, Prime Minister Holness said that the 'Good Offices' efforts currently led by three former…

After decades of distress and water woes, residents of Port Royal in Kingston are to benefit from the installation of a transmission main replacement. The $443 million dollar project will ensure a more reliable water supply in the community. Prime Minister Andrew Holness broke ground for the historic project on Friday (July 28, 2023). Prime Minister Holness said the project represents a crucial step in fulfilling the government's commitment to providing reliable potable water to communities across the nation. He noted the progress of Jamaica's infrastructural development and water resilience efforts. The Prime Minister highlighted that the lack of reliable water supply was deeply concerning the residents. He reassured the residents of Port Royal that the promise of delivering reliable potable water was being fulfilled. Highlighting the historical significance of the groundbreaking, the Prime Minister emphasized the broader implications of this project. “This has become such a regular occurrence that the NWC is replacing or installing new pipes right across Jamaica." He also underlined the government's determination to prioritize infrastructure development, affirming, "I come to this office well seized of the importance of building out infrastructure. If we do not build infrastructure, we won't be able to properly provide the…