News from the OPM

Amid Crises, the Government Must Maintain a Stable Economy to Ensure the Protection of Livelihoods While at the Same Time, Implementing Programmes and Policies to Cushion the Impact on the Most Vulnerable.   Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government’s management of the economy during two major crises has resulted in growth and historic unemployment figures which are crucial to Jamaica’s continued stability. Speaking yesterday (July 15, 2022) at the launch ceremony for the Youth Summer Employment Programme at Manning’s School in Westmoreland, the Prime Minister underscored that the Government has, through robust strategies and policies, been able to balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of the people, as well as Jamaica’s national development agenda, despite the shock of the covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical disruptions stemming from the Ukraine/Russia conflict. In that regard, the Prime Minister emphasised that in times of shock, the Government must not abandon caution, nor should it take short-sighted decisions that will have devastating impacts on the Jamaican economy and on the future prosperity of the Jamaican people. He urged citizens not to fall prey to this way of thinking which is being espoused by some and which encourages the taking of irresponsible, myopic actions, which the country will then pay for in the future. He reminded the country that Jamaica paid dearly for taking such actions in the past, in one instance taking almost a decade to recover.  The Prime Minister is urging vigilance against this way of thinking and acting, to ensure Jamaica does not suffer unduly in the future. The Prime Minister noted, therefore, that the current posture of the Government is to persevere with development and growth strategies which are in the interest of Jamaicans, while at the same time providing cushioning support to Jamaicans…

Government Will Continue to Invest in Programmes That Will Give Young People Hope for a Brighter Future.   Six thousand (6000) young people will be deployed across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government following the launch of the Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) 2022. Speaking at the launch ceremony at the Manning’s School in Westmoreland yesterday (July 15, 2022), Prime Minister Holness urged the young people employed in the programme to maintain a responsible and optimistic approach to life and not to take decisions that will negatively impact their future. He urged them to learn from the mistakes of the past, so as not to repeat them. The Prime Minister said: “Don’t repeat the errors of past generations, you must be the generation of optimism, hope and positivity; the ‘can do’ and ‘will do’ generation of Jamaica. I am here because I love you and I want to see you all successful and this Government will continue to invest in your future.” In entering the world of work, Prime Minister Holness encouraged young people to distinguish themselves and to strive for success in all they do, by having a posture of service, a good attitude towards work and good work ethic. The Prime Minister said, “Come with a smile, come with a listening ear, come with an attitude of learning, come with humility, come with empathy and passion for the people with whom you will be engaging and give respect.”In keeping with the Government’s push to improve service delivery, efficiency, and customer satisfaction as part of the newly launched Service Excellence Programme, Prime Minister Holness told…

Government to Begin Plans for New Corridor Around Spur Tree Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of the East-West Highway will significantly cut travel time as the project nears completion. Speaking during a tour of the project today, (July 1, 2022) the Prime Minister stated that the new corridor is expected to be completed by the first quarter of March 2023. In that regard, the Prime Minister said the Government is making plans for a new corridor that will go around Spur Tree. The Prime Minister said that the network of highways will increase efficiency and productivity but will also give the Government an opportunity to treat with rebuilding townships and urban centres. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness said the May Pen to Williamsfield Highway Project, shows that Government initiatives, meant to improve the lives of Jamaicans, are moving apace even amid external shocks. He, therefore, assures all Jamaicans that the Government continues to do its best to ensure the proper management of these projects which provide jobs that support households across the island. The Prime Minister said it is significant to note that some 600 Jamaicans are employed under this highway project in…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government must manage the economy through these turbulent times, by balancing the need for fiscal responsibility with the needs of the people. The Prime Minister noted that the way the Government is managing the economy has allowed Jamaicans to maintain their jobs which enables them to earn a living and provide for their families. He said a welfare transfer would provide only temporary relief, and even so, there is no guarantee that aid will reach those who most need it. In this regard, the Prime Minister stated that targeted assistance is the best option, together with sound economic management to ensure more Jamaicans obtain and keep their jobs. He said this is the most guaranteed way to protect Jamaicans economically. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister highlighted the ways in which the Government is assisting Jamaicans: 1. Electricity subsidy - if your consumption is within 200 kilowatts or less the government pays 20% of the cost. 2. Assistance to Registered Transport Operators - those formally registered will receive support for fuel and other necessary resources. 3. The New Social Pension Programme for the Elderly - Persons 75 years and over can look forward to a cheque…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is urging families not to take violent behavior from family members lightly. Speaking while visiting mother and grandmother Gwendolyn McKnight, whose daughter Kemesha Wright and her 4 children were brutally killed by a family member, Prime Minister Holness says ignoring violent behavior that does not necessarily rise to the level of a crime, has the potential to escalate to much more significant degrees and must be treated with, in the first instance. Prime Minister Holness described the killing of 5 Jamaicans, including an infant as an assault on the sensibilities of Jamaicans. He noted that the accused, Rushane Barnett allegedly displayed violent tendencies that foreshadowed his barbaric killing of members of his own family. The Prime Minister stated that with early intervention, family on family violence such as Ms Wright and her children can be prevented. The Prime Minister underscored that early signs of violence must be documented through formally reporting it to the police, seeking counseling and engaging conflict resolution mechanisms to resolve family-on-family conflict before it festers to result in devastating outcomes. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said corporal punishment in disciplining children can result in the internalization of violence and the belief that it is a tool to…

The Government of Jamaica strongly condemns the gruesome and horrific murder of a 31-year-old mother and her four children including a toddler, in Clarendon this morning. The horrifying murder of Kemisha Wright of Cocoa Piece, Clarendon, and her four children: Kimana Smith (15 y.o. girl); Shemari Smith (10-year-old girl); Kafana Smith (5-year-old girl) and little Kishaun Henry (and 23 months old baby boy), is an act of savagery, barbarity and brutality of unequal proportions. Ms. Wright was a hardworking and honest young woman who was making a life for herself and her children. The entire country is today feeling immense pain following these bloodcurdling murders, which show extreme contempt for the sanctity of life, and is especially devastated that young, innocent children were viciously cut down. The murder of this family reflects the epidemic of interpersonal violence that bedevils our society and reinforces the need for us to continue to pursue a holistic approach to this disease of inter-personal violence in our society. Horrific murders such as these are shocking to our very core and we must finally resolve as a country to set aside differences and take every action necessary, in an all-of-society effort to save lives and eradicate…

Prime Minister Holness says the increased pace with which New Social Housing Projects are being completed will aid in the transformation of the society. Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government has been moving at a rapid and efficient pace to ensure more Jamaicans benefit from proper shelter through the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP). The Prime Minister stated that with the implementation of an improved process and system, more persons will benefit from the NSHP. He further stated that there will be macro and micro impact stemming from the programme. Prime Minister Holness said: “The technology exists to build a house in just one week. Once we refine it to that level of precision, science and engineering then we will be able to increase the pace at which we transform our society.” In the meantime, the Prime Minister underscored that the NSHP is about giving hope to others and ensuring that the society is rid of pessimism and despair. “If people don’t have hope then despair will set in. If people don’t have hope then they will take a pessimistic view of the future and if people don’t have hope then they will not be reasonable.” Furthermore, the Prime…

A State of Public Emergency (SOE) has been declared for the entire parish of St. Catherine amid the recent upsurge in criminal activities. Prime Minister Andrew Holness this morning (June 17) announced to the nation via a media conference that, acting on the advice of the security chiefs and under the constitution of Jamaica, the Governor-General His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen declared this State of Emergency which will be instituted for 14 days initially. Prime Minister Holness stated that the Government will use all available means within the law and the constitution to protect the lives of innocent Jamaicans. The Prime Minister said: “The main cause of violence that creates the kind of fear and terror that we are seeing in some communities, is the organized criminal activity of gangs and guns, and the young men in particular that they recruit. The Government of Jamaica has to act. The Government of Jamaica cannot sit back and see innocent Jamaicans going about their business on their way to work or from the market and having to be scurrying for their lives.” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, the Hon. Dr. Horace Chang also noted that the necessary laws to remove…

“We want to ensure that Jamaica is a nation full of opportunities for international investors as well as for local entrepreneurs.”- Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica is taking steps to partner with companies internationally, as the ideal location for nearshoring and friend-shoring as companies and governments start to see the challenges associated with long-distance supply chains. Speaking today (June 14, 2022) at the 8th Annual International Conference and Exhibition (AICE 2022) in Montego Bay St. James, the Prime Minister noted that with Jamaica located at the intersection of the East-West and North-South trade routes and Kingston Harbour being the 7th largest natural Harbour in the world, “Our ambition is to leverage these natural assets and position Jamaica as the 4th global logistics node, comparable to Singapore, Dubai and Rotterdam.” Prime Minister Holness continued: “We want to ensure that Jamaica is a nation full of opportunities for international investors as well as for local entrepreneurs. Trade and business are a part of Jamaica's culture just as reggae, jerk chicken, and our amazing blue mountain coffee, are good for business.” In this regard, the Prime Minister underscored that Jamaica is actively positioning itself to take advantage of facilitating…