News from the OPM

At a meeting of the Cabinet on Monday, May 19, 2025, Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness issued a directive to the responsible Ministers to urgently bring forward legislative amendments aimed at strengthening Jamaica’s framework to combat violence against women and girls. This directive follows growing national concern over recent incidents of gender-based violence and forms part of the Government’s wider strategy to address violence through prevention, protection, and prosecution. “I have also directed the relevant Ministers to fast-track all pending legislation or policies that could improve the protection and security of our women and girls. Perpetrators should know that the Government and the society speak with one clear voice against violence,” said Prime Minister Holness. “The safety and dignity of every Jamaican woman and girl are paramount. Our laws must reflect the seriousness of these offences and provide meaningful support and protection for survivors.” Prime Minister Holness further added, “Your government has been working on a comprehensive approach to tackle violence generally in our society, and we now have the report of the National Commission on the Prevention of Violence, which was chaired by Professor Maureen Samms Vaughn. This report will be reviewed by the Cabinet next…

The Cabinet of Jamaica unequivocally condemns all forms of violence against women and girls. Violence of any nature is a grave threat to the moral and social fabric of our nation, but violence against our women and girls is even more grave. The Government is deeply disturbed by recent incidents of gender-based violence, which have caused immense pain to families and communities across the country. Today, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Honourable Dr Horace Chang, briefed the Cabinet on recent incidents that have distressed the Cabinet and indeed the public consciousness. Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reiterated that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated and that the full force of the law must be brought against perpetrators. “The protection of our women is non-negotiable. The protection of our girls is non-negotiable. We are taking a whole-of-government approach to end this scourge of violence, whatever form it takes, through legislative reforms, community engagement, and stronger enforcement. We will do all that we can to eradicate violence from Jamaica,” said Prime Minister Holness. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, the Honourable Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, emphasized the Government’s deep commitment to…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has outlined a comprehensive redevelopment plan for Annotto Bay in St. Mary that will transform the coastal town into a more modern, accessible, and climate-resilient urban centre. The announcement was made on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Handing Over Ceremony for the Annotto Bay Coastal Protection Project in the parish. The Prime Minister detailed the government’s commitment to addressing longstanding infrastructure and planning issues in Annotto Bay and similar townships across Jamaica. With most towns developed historically around ports, now facing the impacts of climate change, Dr. Holness emphasized that a shift in development strategy is necessary. The Prime Minister stated: “We are going to be smart in our physical development planning, and we are going to create another road, another main road that will take the traffic that is not intended for the town to their ultimate destination so that this town can grow and develop. But we are also going to identify additional lands where the town can expand into. This space once it is freed up, we intend to develop it for the purposes of recreation and leisure.” The government is slated to construct of a bypass road which will significantly…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has officially handed over the completed Annotto Bay Coastal Protection Project, marking a significant milestone in Jamaica’s ongoing Disaster Vulnerability Reduction Project (DVRP). Speaking at the handing over ceremony on Friday, May 16, 2025, in Annotto Bay, St. Mary, the Prime Minister highlighted that the project, executed at a cost of approximately JMD 244 million, forms part of the government’s broader strategy to build climate-resilient infrastructure, protect vulnerable communities, and safeguard critical roadways from the increasing threats posed by climate change. “Governments can't just sit by and say, well, it's just nature. Governments have to act. And governments have to build infrastructure that can withstand some of the natural occurrences of sea level rise and other weather and climate events,” the Prime Minister stated. The coastal defence work included the installation of revetments and groynes along a 244-metre stretch of the Annotto Bay shoreline. These structures are specifically designed to slow wave action, reduce coastal erosion, and help capture and retain sand, preserving what remains of the town’s natural buffer zone. Recreational walkways were also constructed, giving residents access to safe and scenic public spaces. “This project is one example of the partnership for development.…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has announced a major $234 million investment to restore and develop the Castleton Botanical Gardens in the parish of St. Mary. Castleton Gardens is one of Jamaica’s most historic and treasured green spaces. Speaking during the commissioning of the Castleton Pipeline Replacement Project on Friday (May 16), Prime Minister Holness said the initiative to restore the botanical gardens forms part of the wider Jamaican Path from Hills to Ocean Project. The Prime Minister noted that the aim is to address poverty, climate change, and rural development through sustainable landscape management. “This project is designed to tackle the twin challenges of poverty and climate change through sustainable landscape management. It is about building resilience not only into our physical infrastructure but also into our environmental systems and local economies,” said Prime Minister Holness. Dr. Holness said that for the 2025–2026 financial year, the Government will allocate $234 million to undertake critical rehabilitation works at the Gardens, including the construction of gabion walls, perimeter fencing, erosion control structures, and the restoration of public amenities such as bathrooms and gazebos. “These upgrades will ensure that the Gardens can once again serve as a top-tier destination for education, recreation,…

Prime Minister Dr. The Most Hon. Andrew Holness has reiterated the Government’s commitment to equitable, resilient development with the commissioning of the Castleton Pipeline Replacement Project in St. Mary. The upgraded system will provide improved water access to over 3,000 residents in Castleton, Friendship Gap, and Cleary Spring. Speaking at the official ceremony on Friday (May 16), Prime Minister Holness said the upgraded water supply system is part of a broader national push to secure Jamaica’s water infrastructure. “Today is not just a celebration of new infrastructure, but it is a signal of what we mean when we talk about real development with infrastructure that improves lives, builds resilience, and unlocks opportunity,” the Prime Minister stated. Dr. Holness said the $25.1 million investment, spearheaded by the National Water Commission (NWC) and the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, will see the replacement of old, inefficient pipelines with two kilometres of modern, four-inch galvanised mains, delivering stronger water pressure and more reliable water flow to homes. “The expanded capacity will ensure stronger water pressure and a more reliable flow to households. We are also dramatically reducing technical water losses, leaks and inefficiencies that have historically wasted valuable treated water and undermined system…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has strongly condemned the attack and murder of police Corporal Kamal Mayne. Corporal Mayne was killed this morning (May 17) by hoodlums at his home in Old Harbour St. Catherine. Prime Minister Holness said: "This is a heartbreaking blow to his [Corporal Mayne's] family, his colleagues in the Jamaica Constabulary Force, and our entire country.  As a member of the JCF, Corporal Mayne served the people of Jamaica by ensuring our safety." Prime Minister Holness continued: "Every day, our policemen and women put themselves in harm’s way to build a more peaceful, more secure Jamaica. The progress we are now seeing, with crime at its lowest levels in decades, has come at great cost. It is a result of strategy, investment, and the tireless work of those who wear the uniform with integrity. We must never take their service for granted, nor ignore the sacrifices they and their families make on behalf of all of us. We must never lose sight of the fact that our officers are human beings, fathers, sons, mothers, daughters, who risk their lives for a safer Jamaica. Corporal Mayne’s life mattered. His service mattered. And his death will not be in vain."…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a firm warning to criminals, while praising the strengthening of Jamaica’s cyber defense capabilities. Prime Minister Holness stressed that the environment for crime has drastically changed, thanks to continued investment in national security and technology. The Prime Minister stated: “Before you commit a crime, think very carefully that the environment that you used to operate in, it is not the same environment as before. What we have done is to change the risk reward function for crime. Before, you could commit a crime, and the probability is that you will not get caught. We have changed that. If you commit a crime today, the probability is that you will get caught.” The country's national security improvements have also been complimented with private sector investment in safety and security. This as the Guardsman Group on Wednesday (May 14) launched the first of its kind Guardsman Cyber Intelligence Security Operations Centre (SOC). The first of its kind in the Caribbean and represents a leap forward in Jamaica’s commitment to digital security and crime deterrence. The SOC allows for real-time threat monitoring and advanced intelligence capabilities. It is another symbol of Jamaica’s push toward a smarter,…

Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness has declared that government spending must improve the welfare of citizens. The Prime Minister says this principle in public expenditure is a core principle of governance, which is spending responsibly for the collective good and welfare of the people. “Every dollar that government spends should be directed in such a way that it increases welfare. The person who received that dollar, their welfare should improve. And the people who didn’t receive the dollar, who are probably giving the dollar, their welfare should not be decreased, but their welfare should be increased, and that’s the role of government.” Dr. Holness cautioned against policies that create imbalance or diminish the welfare of others, noting, “Too often we have government policies that are focused on saying, yes, I want to increase your welfare, but they end up reducing the welfare of others.” Dr. Holness made the comments while speaking on Thursday (May 15) at the handover ceremony for a housing unit under the New Social Housing Programme in Morant Bay, St. Thomas. Prime Minister Holness also emphasized that even as major progress is being made, the government is also focused on helping those in urgent need like beneficiary,…