News from the OPM

"There are those who neglect to stay informed, choosing to listen to fake news, and as a result, they miss out on critical information. It's time for thoughtful and discerning citizens to stand up now." -Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Prime Minister Andrew Holness is encouraging Jamaicans to be mindful of misinformation and seek out accurate, reliable sources of information. Speaking on the growing culture of fake news and its detrimental impact on society, Prime Minister Holness highlighted the critical need for informed and discerning citizens. "There are those who neglect to stay informed, choosing to listen to nonsense and fake news, and as a result, they miss out on critical information and risk electing ineffective governments. It's time for thoughtful and discerning citizens to stand up now," Prime Minister Holness stated. The Prime Minister underscored the importance of seeking out factual information and understanding the broader context of global events and its impact on our country. He called on Jamaicans to be vigilant in their consumption of news and to prioritize sources that enlighten and uplift them. Addressing the critical role of informed citizens in shaping the future of Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness urged those who have the country's…

“Between the NSWMA and the NWA, $1.3 billion has been allocated for a national clean-up campaign for the collection of bulky waste and the cleaning of waterlogged areas which are breeding sites for vectors."  -Prime Minister Holness --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced a substantial allocation of $1.3 billion towards the newly launched National Clean-up Program, which is part of the comprehensive recovery effort following Hurricane Beryl. This initiative is set to significantly enhance the maintenance of communities across Jamaica, while also eliminating mosquito breeding sites and improving community health and convenience. “We have now allocated just over half a billion dollars to the NSWMA to conduct this program. This is a National Clean-up Program post-Beryl to contribute to the standing maintenance of the affected communities,” said Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness continued: “When we complete this exercise, the mosquito problem will lessen as the breeding sites for the mosquitoes will be largely removed.” Spanning a period of two weeks, the program will commence in Portmore, St. Catherine, with a workforce of 100 NSWMA employees. With the government’s recent purchase of the 50 additional trucks, the NSWMA will be utilizing a fleet of tipper trucks, crane trucks, heavy-duty…

"We recognize the immense challenges faced by the residents in the wake of Hurricane Beryl. Our priority is to support the ongoing recovery efforts and to provide some relief to those affected by delaying the implementation of the new toll.” - Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Government has postponed the implementation of toll on the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of Highway 2000. The compassionate move is to give a reprieve to motorists in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl. Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that the planned commencement of tolling on the highway which was originally scheduled to begin this month (July 2024), has now been rescheduled to August 17. This decision has been made to prioritize recovery and relief efforts in the affected areas. Prime Minister Holness said the delay will allow for critical resources and attention to be directed towards aiding the communities in the southern parishes hardest hit by the hurricane, ensuring they receive the necessary support to rebuild and recover. "We recognize the immense challenges faced by the residents in the wake of Hurricane Beryl. Our priority is to support the ongoing recovery efforts and to provide some relief to those affected by delaying the implementation…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today oversaw the contract signing for the construction of the new St. Catherine North Police Divisional Headquarters of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), marking a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to strengthen Jamaica’s national security infrastructure. The new headquarters will be located at Darling Pen, Spanish Town, and will cover 20,243 square meters. The facility will include a three-story building with a footprint of 13,203 square meters and a total floor area of 4,013 square meters. Key features of the new headquarters will include an electrical room, guard house, sewage disposal, stormwater drainage, paved areas, and boundary walls. The building design incorporates sustainable elements such as rainwater harvesting, passive cooling, natural lighting, solar energy, and flexible floor plans. During the ceremony, Prime Minister Holness emphasized the importance of this project within the broader context of Plan Secure Jamaica. He stated, “Today marks a significant step in our ongoing journey toward a safer, more secure Jamaica. This new facility is not just a building; it is a symbol of our commitment to transforming the JCF into a modern, transparent, and community-oriented organization. It represents our dedication to improving the working conditions of our police officers and…

He discussed the need for organized townships that prevent confrontations between citizens and police as officers seek to enforce public order.   Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the Government's strategic approach to Plan Secure Jamaica, a wholistic initiative designed to enhance public order and community safety by integrating proper urban planning, as well as implementing crime and violence prevention strategies to create safer communities across Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness noted that Plan Secure Jamaica is not merely a reinforcement of the existing structures but a broader strategy designed to encompass all elements of national security. "There are all kinds of strategies that have been employed to transform the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Some have worked and some have not. We saw what the challenges were, and the first challenge was that you could not place the entirety of national security wholly and solely on the JCF's shoulder. There had to be a broader plan, hence we developed Plan Secure Jamaica, in which the JCF plays a very important role," Prime Minister Holness explained. Looking at public order and community safety under this Plan, the Prime Minister underscored the need for a well-planned urban environment to support effective policing and reduce…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today announced a historic $39 billion investment in the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) over the next three years, underscoring the administration’s commitment to strengthening national security. Speaking at the Contract Signing Ceremony for the new St. Catherine North Divisional Headquarters, the Prime Minister highlighted the significant strides made by the Government in building the capacity of the JCF and outlined what this substantial investment means for the future of Jamaica's national security. The Prime Minister highlighted the years of disinvestment in national security by previous administrations. The Prime Minister noted that over the last three decades, there was a notable decline in the capital expenditure on the JCF, which led to inadequate infrastructure, outdated technology, and insufficient resources for effective policing. He said his administration's approach marks a significant departure from this trend, with a focused and sustained investment in building the JCF's capacity. Prime Minister Holness emphasized that since taking office in 2016, his administration has prioritized the modernization and enhancement of the JCF. He detailed the government's efforts, including the construction of new police stations, significant upgrades in technology, and the improvement of mobility resources. From 2016 to present, the government has spent over…

The Government’s New Social Housing Programme, NSHP, is having a positive multiplier impact on people’s lives. Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Programme (NSHP) has reached a significant milestone with the handover of 242 homes to beneficiaries across Jamaica (286 have so far been constructed). NSHP, which is part of the broader commitment to improving living conditions for Jamaican citizens, is moving towards a beneficiary mark of 900, with over 880 individuals being positively impacted and living in the homes handed over. Prime Minister Holness emphasized the rigorous supervision and meticulous oversight of the programme, ensuring that every allocated dollar reaches the intended beneficiaries. The Prime Minister stated: “In all, the programme has benefited over 880 persons, which is fantastic, and the programme is going very well. It is a rigorously supervised programme because we want to ensure that every dollar of the benefit that has been allocated for the beneficiary is received by the beneficiary. He continued: “When you have this house, it will be enduring; you don't have to worry about it afterwards. It will not fall down, and a hurricane will not lift the roof. This is not just an investment in you and your family; this is going…

The Government of Jamaica wishes to inform the public of a global outage affecting Windows-based systems utilizing the CrowdStrike Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) software. Several airlines worldwide, including those operating in Jamaica, are affected by this software malfunction. Other entities have been impacted. This incident was caused by a software error and is not a security event or a cyber-attack. The Jamaica Cyber Incident Response Team (JaCIRT) and the Major Organised Crime and Anti-corruption Agency (MOCA) are actively collaborating with impacted entities across Jamaica to mitigate the effects and facilitate recovery. They have advised that Mac and Linux hosts remain unaffected by this issue. CrowdStrike has successfully identified and isolated the issue, and a solution has been deployed. Affected individuals or entities are advised to visit the CrowdStrike support portal for the latest updates. Additionally, assistance can be obtained by contacting JaCIRT at (876) 578-5707 or MOCA at (876) 676-MOCA (6622). There are already malicious URLs circulating. These are aimed at deceiving users attempting to resolve the issue independently. The government urges all affected parties to exercise caution and ensure they follow official guidance. The government commends JaCIRT and MOCA for their swift action and ongoing support in addressing…

Prime Minister, the Most Honourable, Andrew Holness congratulates Justice Marva McDonald Bishop on her historic appointment to the Presidency of the Court of Appeals. Justice McDonald Bishop is the first female to hold this prestigious role, marking a historic milestone in our judicial system. Her leadership will be instrumental in advancing the mission of the Court of Appeal, ensuring that justice is accessible to all and served with integrity and impartiality. "Justice Bishop has consistently demonstrated a profound understanding of the law and a deep commitment to justice. Her elevation to President of the Court of Appeal is a reflection of her legal acumen and dedication to public service. I am confident that she will continue to uphold the highest standards of judicial excellence." – Prime Minister Andrew Holness The appointment of Justice McDonald Bishop as the first female President of the Court of Appeal exemplifies the Government’s dedication to creating opportunities for women to excel in leadership roles. The Government believes that balanced leadership strengthens our institutions and better reflects the values and aspirations of the Jamaican society. Prime Minister Holness extends his best wishes to Justice Marva McDonald Bishop as she embarks on this new chapter in her…