News from the OPM

"The education system has to change in order to accommodate this new Jamaica. The education system is going through transformation, and they are trying to change.” -Prime Minister Holness ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government is committed to transforming the education sector through substantial investments in infrastructure and human resources. In an interview  on Monday (May 20) on CVM At Sunrise, Prime Minister Holness underscored the historical context of underinvestment that has plagued various sectors in Jamaica, including education. "For the last 40 years or so, Jamaica has not been in a position to make the level of investment in infrastructure and human resources that would keep pace with other countries at our stage and state of development. Jamaica fell behind," stated Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister pointed out that the economic challenges faced by Jamaica have significantly impacted investments in education. "There is no investment unless you're going to borrow, which we did, and that got us into more problems. There needs to be a solid economy. And what you have in this government is a government that has managed the economy in such a way as to now give us the opportunity to invest," he…

“Slow down, drive within the limits, and keep focused on the road.” -Prime Minister Andrew Holness -------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government is embarking on an intensive public education campaign to change driving behavior and enhance the enforcement of traffic regulations. This expansion of existing efforts aims to reduce road crashes, injuries, and fatalities across the nation. Following a meeting of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC) on May 16, Prime Minister Holness highlighted the key factors contributing to road accidents in Jamaica, including speeding, distractions, drunk driving, mobile phone use, and the failure to wear helmets. While praising the police for their increased enforcement efforts, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that enforcement alone is insufficient. He called on drivers to take personal responsibility for their safety by adopting safer driving practices. "Crashes are preventable, and Jamaica can become crash-free," he said. The Prime Minister noted the rise in the number of drivers on the road, some of whom may be unfamiliar with new and extended highways, contributing to the incidence of crashes. He also pointed out the lack of helmet use among motorcyclists, which significantly increases the risk of fatal injuries. In addressing this issue, Prime Minister…

"The Government has directed the Factories Corporation of Jamaica to identify lands across Jamaica for the creation of Turnkey Community Micro-Business Parks to support Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises MSMEs." - Prime Minister Andrew Holness ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness has directed the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) to identify suitable lands across the country for the development of Turnkey Community Micro-Business Parks, aimed at bolstering Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). Prime Minister Holness emphasized the vital role MSMEs play in the Jamaican economy, acknowledging the significant challenges they face in securing appropriate facilities such as warehousing and commercial spaces. He highlighted the government's commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure to support these enterprises. "MSMEs are critically important to our economy, and they need support," said Prime Minister Holness. Noting that the private sector has a crucial role in developing affordable commercial spaces, the Prime Minister says the government, through the FCJ, is actively identifying lands to establish these micro-business parks. The first of these Turnkey Community Micro-Business Parks will be constructed in Morant Bay, St. Thomas. This initiative is designed to complement the ongoing development of Morant Bay Urban Centre by providing smaller businesses in the vicinity with the…

“Given that there is this underlying change in the behaviour of our youth, I have directed the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Education to do a reassessment of the security risk of schools so that way we can get a better understanding of which schools are at risk and how to direct resources to those schools” - Prime Minister Holness ------------------------------------------------------------------ Prime Minister Andrew Holness has taken decisive action in response to the number of reported incidents of school violence across Jamaica. Prime Minister Holness says the situation requires urgent strategic action to bring the matter under control. Prime Minister Holness on Wednesday (May 15) directed the Ministries of National Security and Education Youth to conduct a thorough reassessment of the security risks within schools. “Given that there is this underlying change in the behaviour of our youth, I have directed the Ministry of National Security and the Ministry of Education to do a reassessment of the security risk of schools so that way we can get a better understanding of which schools are at risk and how to direct resources to those schools,” said Prime Minister Holness. Prime Minister Holness also announced that more case managers…

"The efforts that the government has made are not in vain. We will continue to pursue consensus. The journey continues." - Prime Minister Holness ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the government remains dedicated to advancing constitutional reform, despite the Opposition's decision not to sign off on the Constitutional Reform Committee's (CRC) final report. In a statement on Wednesday (May 15) at the weekly Post Cabinet Media Briefing, Prime Minister Holness emphasized that the government is committed to achieving consensus on this critical matter noting his disappointment on the Opposition’s position. "My initial assessment of the response of the Opposition is that I am disappointed, but I am not surprised. I'm not surprised that they would have tried to find every way out of seeing this process through to its rightful conclusion.” The Prime Minister said the Government has been accommodating to the process and very patient with the Opposition considering their perspectives on the matter. “You will also recall that he (Leader of the Opposition) declined to name the members to the Review Commission, and delayed for several months. We ended up having a meeting under the auspices of the Vale Royal talks. I thought those were good meetings…

The Cabinet received the report of the Constitutional Reform Committee today (May 13),  marking a significant milestone in our nation's journey towards constitutional reform. The Cabinet has started a thorough and meticulous process of review, ensuring that all aspects of the report are carefully considered. Once the Cabinet has completed its review, the report will be tabled in Parliament along with the Government's conclusions. The Government remains hopeful that the Opposition will join us in signing the document, as we believe that a collaborative approach is essential for achieving meaningful and lasting constitutional reform. The Government will not engage in the politicization of the constitutional reform process or contribute to undermining its integrity. The Government will continue to update the public on the progress of the review and look forward to a constructive and inclusive dialogue as we work towards a stronger and more resilient democracy for all our citizens.

The Government on Thursday (May 2) began the first in a series of island-wide community consultations on the road improvement initiative, SPARK, which was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. The first consultation took place in the community of Duhaney Park in the constituency of St. Andrew, Western. Scores of residents attended and detailed to government officials and technocrats roads in desperate need of repair. Speaking at the consultation, Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie stressed that this monumental initiative is aimed at revitalizing over 2,000 roads across the entire island of Jamaica. He said the roads selected for rehabilitation will come from consulting with residents of the communities. "The SPARK programme will address road improvement in a comprehensive manner. We will ensure proper drainage, sidewalks, and the proper laying of pipes and fibre. We want to ensure the roads have a longer lifespan and that you, the residents, play an active role in the success of the programme,” said Minister McKenzie. In the meantime, Director of the Constituency Development Fund, CDF, Kedesha Rochester, says the process is non-partisan and encourages residents to submit the roads to be addressed. "The execution of the SPARK programme involves expert technocrats who are dedicated…

The Government of Jamaica proudly acknowledges the country’s advancement in the global press freedom rankings, as reported by the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on May 3. This year, Jamaica has risen from 32nd to 24th place, a testament to the nation's commitment to creating a safe and open environment for journalists. Prime Minister Andrew Holness commented on the achievement, "This remarkable improvement in our rankings not only underscores our unwavering commitment to media freedom but also reflects the successful implementation of our policies aimed at enhancing the flow of factual and timely information to our citizens." Minister with Responsibility for Information, Robert Nesta Morgan, attributes this success to the government’s proactive policies on information access and initiatives to enrich the information ecosystem for public benefit. “This ranking reaffirms Jamaica’s dedication to improving conditions for journalistic work, ensuring the safety of media professionals, and fostering an atmosphere where press freedom is integral to our strong democracy and increased government transparency and accountability,” stated Minister Morgan. In efforts to make government information more accessible, Jamaica has improved electronic portals and enhanced the availability of government service representatives to address public inquiries. These measures are part of a broader strategy to…

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman, has been promoted to Vice Admiral (Lieutenant General) and three Colonels have been promoted to Brigadier, effective May 10 2024, following approval from the Defence Board. Rear Admiral Wemyss Gorman was appointed CDS on January 21 2022. Her career spans 32 years at various command levels. As CDS, she has provided steady leadership of the Force with trust and high morale of the soldiers. Rear Admiral Wemyss Gorman has kept the Jamaica Defence Force on track with its 2017 to 2037 strategic plan as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review, whose update she led in 2021. She has placed high priority on the initiation of the Institute of Cyber Science, and the development of the military intelligence capability, resulting in more targeted operations and support to the JCF. Rear Admiral Wemyss Gorman has systematically expanded the Force’s footprint across the island, establishing Forward Operating Bases in Clarendon, St Catherine, St Thomas, Portland, Westmoreland and Hanover. She has significantly expanded youth and community engagement, with the JDF directly interacting with over 35,000 young Jamaicans annually. Under her stewardship, the Jamaica National Service Corps programme is currently being reviewed to adjust and diversify the opportunities available…