News from the OPM

In light of recent discussions in the public domain, the Government wishes to clarify that no decision has been made to ban corporal punishment in homes. The Administration takes the opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to eliminating violence in our society, particularly against our children. The Administration respects and acknowledges the importance of engaging with a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including families and our churches on issues concerning efforts to stem violence against children. The government values the diverse perspectives within our society and is committed to a collaborative approach to addressing the issue. “Our children deserve to grow up in a Jamaica free from violence. While the Cabinet has not taken a decision to ban corporal punishment, we are deeply committed to finding effective solutions to the issue of violence against children in our country. Through the National Parenting Support Commission’s training programs, we are working diligently with our parents and communities to promote positive parenting practices," Education and Youth Minister, the Honourable Fayval Williams commented. The National Commission on Violence Prevention, NCVP, established by Prime Minister Andrew Holness and chaired by Professor Maureen Samms-Vaughan, has been tasked with conducting a multi-dimensional examination of societal violence, ensuring that all voices…

"We are building a social safety net, and we are also building the ladder for social mobility for our people to climb out of poverty confidently.” - Prime Minister Holness  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has underscored the transformative impact of the National Insurance Scheme (NIS) while highlighting a series of initiatives aimed at bolstering social security and enhancing opportunities for vulnerable groups in Jamaica. Speaking on Wednesday (May 22) at the unveiling of the bust of the late Lynden G. Newland, the architect of the NIS, Prime Minister Holness lauded Newland's pioneering role in shaping the nation's social security framework and his enduring legacy in improving the lives of Jamaicans. "Despite significant opposition to the NIS, LG's determination ensured its successful implementation. Today, we are not only thankful that LG had the vision to implement the NIS but also the courage and determination to push through and get it done,” stated Prime Minister Holness. The National Insurance Scheme, established in 1966, stands as a cornerstone of social security in Jamaica, providing essential financial protection against income loss due to injury, sickness, retirement, or death. The scheme encompasses various contributors, including employed persons, self-employed individuals, and voluntary contributors, ensuring broad…

“The government of Jamaica continues to build a social safety net for the Jamaican people.” - Prime Minister Holness  ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) is established to assist in providing a social safety net and services for Jamaicans, particularly the most vulnerable. Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the NSHP is critically significant in breaking the cycle of inter generational poverty and enhancing the social wellbeing of Jamaicans. "The government of Jamaica continues to build a social safety net for the Jamaican people. This social safety net is a concept that essentially says that there is a minimum standard of quality of life that every Jamaican is entitled to, and the government should provide the services where persons are not able to provide for themselves," said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister underscored that the NSHP targets households with very low or no income, with a focus on households with young children, the elderly, and large families. "If you're talking about intergenerational poverty, then the Coleman's family is a perfect example of this. This investment by the state in providing these housing solutions is one that will have an impact on future generations to…

“Jamaica will get to the point where we will be able to properly maintain our road infrastructure instead of doing maintenance after the fact when a pot-hole occurs or the road surface fails or there is a break away.” - Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the new road infrastructure improvement programme, the Shared Prosperity Through Accelerated Improvement to our Road Network (SPARK) is set to significantly enhance the country's road infrastructure, driving growth, development, and prosperity in communities across Jamaica. With an allocation of $40 billion over a two-year period, the SPARK Programme aims to establish a comprehensive and real-time database of Jamaica’s roads using advanced Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Speaking in Parliament on May 21, 2024 the Prime Minister stated that preventive maintenance is a cornerstone of SPARK: “What we are doing now with the SPARK Programme is truly creating a data base with all the geographic environmental and usage information, is that we will have all of this data to us the engineering perspective of the road. Meaning we will know when the road is likely to fail and therefore, we are able to budget for this in advance and in fact budget to…

“We are building and investing in our water infrastructure to mitigate against climate change, build resilience and to serve our growing population.” - Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Government of Jamaica is undertaking a significant investment in the nation's water infrastructure to address the challenges posed by climate change, enhance resilience, and support the needs of a growing population. This comprehensive initiative represents the largest capital investment in Jamaica's water system in over 40 years, highlighting the government's commitment to sustainable development and the well-being of its citizens. While touring a new water plant in St. Elizabeth on (May 17, 2024) Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized the scale and importance of these efforts, stating, "Right across Jamaica, billions of dollars are being invested in the water infrastructure. Every new road that we do, not just repairs or rehabilitations, includes the installation of water mains designed to last for the next 50 to 60 years. We are building and investing in our water infrastructure to mitigate against climate change, build resilience, and serve our growing population." The extensive upgrades include the construction of new facilities, installation of modern pipelines, and enhancements to existing systems will benefit the residents of Runnit, St.…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness expresses deep shock and outrage at the brutal killing of RJR Gleaner journalist, Job Nelson. Nelson, a talented journalist and a dedicated professional, was tragically attacked by gunmen while traveling along Spanish Town Road in Kingston last night. He sustained a gunshot wound to the chest and, despite attempting to drive himself to the hospital, crashed into a utility pole. Passers-by assisted him to the Kingston Public Hospital, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. In a statement, Prime Minister Holness noted, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Job Nelson, a talented journalist and a fellow alumnus of St. Catherine High. Job was not just a remarkable professional, but also a cherished member of our community. It is heartbreaking to hear that he lost his life in such a senseless act of violence. Job and I shared the halls of St. Catherine High, which makes this loss feel even more personal. His contributions to journalism and his dedication to bringing the truth to light were commendable, and he will be sorely missed.” The Prime Minister emphasized the Government's commitment to ensuring that the legal framework and resources are in place…

“The Jamaican people are watching, and their Government will continue working to build consensus to deliver for them.” -Prime Minister Andrew Holness --------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Cabinet met on Monday (May 20, 2024) with the Constitutional Reform Committee (CRC) to discuss the recently submitted report containing recommendations from the 15-member body. Prime Minister, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness, expressed his gratitude for the Committee's contributions and highlighted the significance of this milestone. “This meeting marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards constitutional reform,” said Prime Minister Holness. “I am deeply grateful for the dedication and hard work of the Constitutional Reform Committee. Together, we are laying the foundation for a future where Jamaica stands as a sovereign, independent Republic, reflecting the will and aspirations of our people. The Jamaican people are watching, and their Government will continue working to build consensus to deliver for them.” Despite ongoing political challenges, Prime Minister Holness and his administration remain steadfast in their commitment to achieving consensus on the first phase of reform: replacing the British monarch as Head of State with a Jamaican President. The CRC reported that all recommendations in their report were reached through consensus. The report will be tabled as a Ministry…

“The NHT is the key to your own home and the government is making sure that many keys are delivered.” - Prime Minister Holness --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the National Housing Trust (NHT) is revolutionizing the housing sector in Jamaica by making homeownership a reality for more lower-middle-income to low-income Jamaicans. "The NHT is doing an amazing job in trying to leverage the contributors’ contributions to provide achievable housing for Jamaicans," Prime Minister Holness remarked. "Your government is working tirelessly to ensure that we have housing for our citizens. Regardless of all the other false narratives that you're hearing, these are the facts. This is what we are doing and what we are doing here has never been done before. It is transformational for Jamaica," stated Prime Minister Holness. Through innovative policies and substantial investments, the NHT is dedicated to providing achievable housing solutions that cater to the needs of the majority of the population. Speaking at the NHT Serviced Lots Handing Over Ceremony in Friendship Oaks, St. Elizabeth, Prime Minister Holness acknowledge the transformative and innovative the work done by the NHT. "Majority of the houses that the NHT is going to build going forward will be focused…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has advised the Governor General His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen of the following changes to the Executive to be made effective tomorrow, May 21, 2024: - Hon Robert ‘Nesta’ Morgan to be reassigned to the Ministry of Economic, Growth and Job Creation with responsibility for Works. - Senator Dr. the Hon Dana Morris Dixon to be been given responsibility for Information in addition to Skills and Digital Transformation. - Senator Abka Fitz-Henley to be named Parliamentary Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister The Administration is steadfastly committed to fulfilling its 2020 mandate to transform Jamaica into a peaceful, productive and prosperous nation. The adjustments will assist the administration in more efficiently and effectively deliver its policies and programmes for the Jamaican people.