News from the OPM

The Prime Minister is today (July 10, 2023) announcing that the National Works Agency’s (NWA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), E.G. Hunter, will take direct supervision of the South Coast Highway Improvement Project to ensure timely completion. This decision comes in response to delays caused by broken water mains on a section of the roadway, rendering it nearly impassable for several hours. Acknowledging and apologizing for the inconvenience caused, Mr. Hunter reported to the Prime Minister that the broken water mains have been repaired and the section of the road made drivable once again. Overnight, two breaks occurred on existing water mains which scoured the road surface. The contractors and the National Water Commission (NWC) would not have been on site to immediately repair the break at the time they occurred. As soon as the matter came to our attention the contractor and the NWC were mobilized and repairs effected. To prevent further occurrences of such water main breaks, The NWA will conduct inspections along the roadway to detect signs of leakage. To date, 14.1 km out of the 17.4 km section of the road from Harbour View to Yallahs which was affected by the water main breaks, have been asphalted,…

 Prime Minister says the NHT is redirecting resources to ensure more affordable housing for Jamaicans.    Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the National Housing Trust (NHT) is moving to support all strata of the housing market, particularly low-income earners, to ensure more Jamaicans benefit. In this regard, the Prime Minister said that the government has created the income contingency policy, which focuses on directing NHT benefits and other government subsidies towards Jamaicans earning at the lowest level. This will make more houses available to citizens by way of the adjusted NHT loan policies and the New Social Housing Programme. Speaking on Wednesday (July 12, 2023) at a New Social Housing Programme Handing Over Ceremony in Southwest Clarendon, Prime Minister Holness encouraged citizens to educate themselves on the policies and initiatives of the NHT. This will help them to be in a better position to qualify for housing benefits and become homeowners. The Prime Minister said: “I want to encourage all Jamaicans, regardless of your circumstances, regardless of how you may feel that we may never be able to own a home, I want to encourage you to have faith, I want to encourage you to think positively. If you are…

Calls on International Community to Increase Assistance to Haitians as they Endeavour to Find a Lasting Solution “Our aim has been to widen consensus around a Haitian-determined path to peace, stability and democracy.” - Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Andrew Holness says it is imperative that the international community moves beyond the rhetoric of solidarity with Haiti to implement strategic and targeted action that will allow Haiti to make tangible progress. Speaking on Thursday (July 6, 2023) via video conference to the United Nations Security Council, the Prime Minister underscored that for any solution to be successful, it must not only be comprehensive, focusing on both the security and socioeconomic challenges, but also Haitian-led, -owned and -focused. The Prime Minister said, “While we recognize the international community’s shared concern over the grave situation in Haiti, we emphasize that all efforts oriented towards contributing positively to addressing the situation in Haiti must be undertaken in good faith, must prioritize the needs and circumstances of the Haitian people, and must be free from the influence of geopolitics or political expediency”. In this regard, Prime Minister Holness noted, that the international community must remain steadfast in its support of the people of Haiti.…

STATEMENT ON HAITI BY THE MOST HONOURABLE ANDREW HOLNESS, PRIME MINISTER ON THE OCCASION OF THE EU-CARIBBEAN LEADERS MEETING JULY 17, 2023 | BRUSSELS, BELGIUM ____________________________________________________   Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Afternoon. I am pleased to be part of this meeting, which allows us to exchange views, progress our collaboration on matters of mutual interest, discuss ways in which to address challenges and seize opportunities including on the Caribbean side, for the furthering of our development aspirations. Excellencies, My colleagues have asked me to address the situation in Haiti which deeply concerns us all. On his recent visit to Haiti, Secretary-General Guterres highlighted the depth of the crisis, recalling that a recent earthquake and flooding have only compounded the existing political and economic turmoil and widespread insecurity – especially for women and girls, as a result of gang violence.  Citizens fighting back with vigilante justice and the gang’s further efforts at repression mark a dangerous phase of deterioration which we cannot afford to ignore. The insecurity in Haiti is well-known and has impeded access to healthcare, education, and other basic goods and services. It is most certainly undermining efforts for a lasting solution, which the ordinary Haitian people…

Address By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the New Social Housing Programme Handing Over Ceremony Clarendon South Western, Kemps Hill, Race Course On July 12, 2023 ________________________________________   I have to thank our Mayor Maragh and our Councillor Pauline Reynolds for the very warm welcome as well. So on behalf of the Social Housing team that is here, we thank you for the welcome, and let me thank the people who are gathered of all stripes, colours, and social groupings and communities that are assembled. It is quite a diverse set of observers that we have here on the periphery of this function. Some are in very bright green and some are in orange colours, significant numbers are gathered and it is reminiscent of a period of time which comes about every five years or so, but that period of time is not near. I get that there is an attempt to kind of bring on that period of time before time, time doesn't come yet time. Well, there is still a lot of work to be done before that time, and as the person who has responsibility to do the work,…

Remarks by The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Reading of the Proclamation at King’s House on June 21, 2023 _________________________________________________________   Thank you, Dr McCarthy for your excellent mastery of the ceremony. You're quick on your feet. Your Excellencies, The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen Honourable Minister Senator Gabriela Morrison, representing the Leader of the Opposition Custodes Stakeholders Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.   My presence here at the podium was not planned. I imposed myself on the ceremony and His Excellency was very kind to accommodate me, but I thought it's important that the full force of the government be seen to be in support of this initiative. In Cabinet on Monday, we dedicated an extensive block of time discussing this issue and how, not just as politicians, but as leaders of the society, how we will mobilize the entire society to supporting this initiative so I'm very happy to see here a wide cross-section of civic leaders. I see the president of the JTA, good morning, how are you? And other influential leaders present. So, let me say officially that I endorse the proclamation of a National…

Opening Remarks By The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP Prime Minister of Jamaica At the Outsource to Latin America and the Caribbean 2023 Global Digital Summit O2LAC On June 14, 2023 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you, Master, of Ceremonies, Dr. Terri Karelle.   Now, like Tariq, I only speak two languages; so English welcome, how are you? And Jamaican, what a gwaan? I see the Jamaican languages catching on. Allow me to formally establish the protocols. Senator, the Honourable Aubyn Hill, our Minister of Industry Investment and Commerce Senator, Dr the Honourable Dana Morris Dixon, our newly minted Minister of Skills and Digital Transformation in the Office of the Prime Minister Our hardworking Director of the General Manager, Country Manager of the IDBB, Mr. Tariq Ali. Tariq obviously by accent, is from Trinidad, but he behaves like a Jamaican. Mrs. Shullette Cox, President of our promotion’s agency JAMPRO Mr. Yoni Epstein, Chief Executive Officer of ITELBPO Other specially invited partners and guests and stakeholders, all Representatives of the media Ladies and gentlemen, good morning, once again.   It is my pleasure to speak here this morning at the 9th staging of the Outsource to Latin America and the Caribbean 2023 Global…

"If Jamaica is to accelerate our pace of growth, we will have to produce far more Math, Science and Technology capable students coming out of our secondary systems, and that all starts with teachers.” -Dr. Nigel Clarke, Minister of Finance and the Public Service ———————————————————–  One thousand two hundred and fifty student-teachers are set to receive scholarships to study in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), following the government’s launch of the initiative yesterday (June 29, 2023), as part of a wider programme to enhance Jamaica’s human capital development. The scholarships will help to advance Jamaica’s unprecedented positive transformation and promote the country's vision for economic growth by producing a larger cadre of  STEM proficient teachers, entrepreneurs, workers, and employees. Speaking at the STEM Scholarship Launch ceremony, Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr. the Honourable Nigel Clarke, highlighted the importance of ensuring a STEM competent workforce to attract future jobs and investments. "If Jamaica is to accelerate our pace of growth, we will have to produce far more Math, Science and Technology capable students coming out of our secondary systems, and that all starts with teachers,” Minister Clarke stated. In partnership with the Mico University College, the…

  “No one can argue about the fundamental substance of the achievements of this government. I encourage all Jamaicans to truly look at the improvements in your country. The changes that we all want are not going to happen overnight. While the changes may take some time, the government is seized of the importance of quickly utilizing the greater fiscal space available to reduce the pains and pressures of the population." - Prime Minister Andrew Holness ———————————————————– Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasizes that, unlike several other countries, Jamaica’s economic progress is remarkable having undergone overlapping global crises of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, which continues, and the impact of global inflation. Prime Minister Holness said, “Jamaica is seen on the international stage as the example of responsible management and governance. You wouldn’t hear that in the local circles because it’s not in the interest to promote that, but thankfully people who are looking on can benchmark and see it. I encourage all Jamaicans to truly look at the improvements in your country. The changes that we all want are not going to happen overnight.” The Prime Minister notes that while the changes may take some time, the government is…