News from the OPM

Jamaicans can expect to see significant improvements in their communities following the announcement by Prime Minister Andrew Holness of the first phase of a comprehensive Government initiative to renew, transform and upgrade communal spaces across the island. The programme, which will improve the quality of life of our citizens by ensuring safe and beautiful parks, improved sidewalks and signage to mark streets, and the provision of a facelift for communities with the removal of zinc fences, will see each Member of Parliament being allocated $4 million for implementation. The Prime Minister made the announcement in Parliament on Tuesday, June 27, 2023. The Prime Minister says Jamaicans should feel good about their homes and communities, and be able to enjoy quality parks and amenities during their leisure time. He said, “The transformation of the physical and built environment in communities plays a crucial role in social and economic transformation.  It improves quality of life, fosters inclusivity and social equity, encourages community engagement, supports economic development, and promotes sustainable practices.” The Prime Minister further stated that by creating environments that are accessible, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, communities can enhance social well-being, equity, and resilience. The Government will also develop a programme for…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has highlighted several achievements that have propelled Jamaica towards a more sustainable economy. The Prime Minister says through a combination of prudent policies, strategic national investments, and a commitment to inclusive growth, Jamaica has realized economic stability that has had positive ripple effects throughout the country. The Prime Minister's address highlighted several key accomplishments that have garnered both national and international recognition. 1. Unemployment Rate Slashed by Nearly 50%: Under the Prime Minister's leadership, Jamaica has witnessed a substantial reduction in unemployment, resulting in enhanced economic opportunities for its citizens. Prime Minister Holness remarked, "When we took over in 2016, the unemployment rate was 13.7%.” Today, that unemployment rate stands at approximately 7%. This remarkable achievement signifies that more individuals, from various walks of life, now have jobs and increased household income.” 2. Access to Skill Training Enhanced: Recognizing the importance of skilled labour in driving economic growth, the government has made significant strides in enhancing access to skills training. Prime Minister Holness stated, "To address the demand for trained and skilled workers, we have made access to HEART free.” He says any Jamaican wanting to acquire skills to secure employment can now enrol in HEART…

“If you saw something, I urge you, say something, we cannot allow this murder to go unsolved. The person or persons who committed this crime could very well commit other crimes, and we cannot tell who the next victim could be.” - Prime Minister Andrew Holness ———————————————————– Prime Minister Andrew Holness has renewed his call for persons with information to come forward and share what they know about the horrific murder of 8-year-old Danielle Rowe who was abducted from school and her throat slashed. While observing the National Day of Mourning for our Children on Friday (June 23, 2023), Prime Minister Holness said the entire nation is in grief. He said, “This act, along with many other gruesome acts, that have been perpetrated on our young and vulnerable, is a blot on our conscience and on our social fabric; we cannot allow ourselves to become numb. There must be an uprising in our collective consciousness, we must draw a line in the sand and speak up about it.” In making a further appeal, the Prime Minister said anyone who might have seen what happened, no matter how vague their recollection, should share it with the authorities. “If you saw something,…

Upon the advice of the Commissioner of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff, the Governor-General, His Excellency Sir Patrick Allen, has authorized the declaration of States of Public Emergency in the parishes of St. James and Westmoreland. The SOEs, which commenced at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, June 22, 2023, will be effective for an initial period of 15 days. Over the period 1 January 2023 to 19 June 2023, the St James police division had the highest number of murders across all police divisions with a total of ninety-five (95) murders. Westmoreland recorded the second-highest number of murders across police divisions for the same period with a total of fifty-four (54) murders. In announcing the SOEs on Thursday (June 22, 2023), Prime Minister Andrew Holness emphasized that the SOEs are declared as a response to a surge in criminal activities in the respective parishes and represent the government’s commitment to safeguarding the lives of innocent citizens. “We have had some success in reducing murders, however, criminal acts have become more brutal and gruesome. We must dismantle the threat to law and order posed by the prevalence of organized gangs. The Government will continue to use all available tools to…

The  Government of Jamaica on Wednesday (June 21, 2023) announced a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to reform the public sector and enhance the effectiveness of governance. Prime Minister Andrew Holness tabled a Green Paper and a Ministry Paper in Parliament with comprehensive job descriptions for Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ministers of Government. “These job descriptions mark a crucial step forward in providing clarity, accountability, and transparency in the roles and responsibilities of our elected representatives. By clearly defining the expectations and duties of MPs and Ministers, we aim to strengthen our democratic institutions and optimize the delivery of public services to the Jamaican people,” said Prime Minister Holness. Speaking about the broader national context of public sector reform, Prime Minister Holness emphasized the government's commitment to undertaking ambitious and far-reaching programs of transformation. These encompass fiscal and monetary reforms, financial management improvements, infrastructure development, housing sector enhancements, urban space development, transportation modernization, security forces' capacity-building, education system reform, and constitutional arrangements review. Recognizing the persistent "implementation deficit" that has hindered previous reform efforts, the government acknowledges the importance of addressing capacity issues within the public service. Over the years, Jamaica has experienced a brain drain, with talented…

Today, we gather to officially hand over The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) Therapeutic Centre, the first of its kind in the English-speaking Caribbean. The project was managed by The Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and financed by the Government of Jamaica (GOJ) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) through its Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) grant funding valued at approximately Two Hundred Million Jamaican Dollars (JMD$200,000,000). Eighty-Five Point Eight Million Dollars ($85.8M)  was contributed by the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), an Agency of the Ministry of Education and Youth. The Therapeutic Centre will facilitate medical treatment, social intervention guidance and psychological support for victims of child abuse.  The Centre will also provide programmes designed specifically to stop the cycle of abuse and violence against children across parishes as well as wholistic and comprehensive support packages for families. Overall, the project will benefit Four Thousand Four Hundred (4,400) children in state care who are in child protection placement (that is, children’s homes, places of safety and living in a family environment) as well as those in foster care and family reintegration and those in need of psychosocial or mental health intervention.   Additionally, the project will…

  “The need for action is urgent and compelling and requires concerted attention.” —Prime Minister Andrew Holness ----------------------------------------------------------- Prime Minister Andrew Holness is urging the international community to unite and take urgent action in response to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Haiti. He was delivering the keynote address today (June 16, 2023) at the Special Meeting of the UN Economic and Social Council. With almost half of the country's population, approximately 5.2 million individuals, facing acute hunger, the Prime Minister highlighted the disproportionate impact on children who are facing malnutrition, under-development, illness, and death. He further added that the escalating violence and insecurity have forced many to flee their homes, compromising health, sanitation, and education. The Prime Minister noted that the multifaceted crisis being experienced by Haiti requires a multipronged, multinational response.  In this regard, he says while he welcomes the Humanitarian Response Plan 2023 which outlines an approach to addressing the Haitian crisis, the programme is severely underfunded. He is appealing to international partners to increase contributions to the fund, to ensure the response is adequate and coordinated. The Prime Minister said: “Innovative approaches, including through a humanitarian corridor supported by international partners, would assist in unblocking the supply…

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE MOST HONOURABLE ANDREW HOLNESS, ON, PC, MP PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE UN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL “Saving Lives: Addressing the Urgent Food Security Needs of Haiti” 16 June 2023 _______________________________________________________________________   Madam President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me first express sincere thanks to the President of the Economic and Social Council for convening this well-needed meeting to discuss the urgent food security crisis in Haiti. While I am unable to be with you in person, I was determined to add Jamaica’s voice and advocacy at this Special Meeting, bearing in mind the full commitment we have made to supporting our brothers and sisters in our neighbouring CARICOM state, Haiti. I also acknowledge the statement made by the Right Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, who spoke on behalf of the CELAC group of countries.   Madam President, I am addressing you this morning on the heels of the Kingston Talks on Haiti, held earlier this week in Jamaica.  The Council’s meeting today could therefore not be more timely and provides evidence of and the need for a continuum of care in the international community’s…

Statement  By  The Most Honourable Andrew Holness ON, PC, MP  Prime Minister of Jamaica   At the   Sitting of the House of Representatives  On  June 13, 2023  ________________________________________________________________ Madam Speaker, I'm inclined to consider very carefully the position raised by the member from St. Andrew South-Eastern, as I'm very sympathetic to the positions and discussions raised by the member from St. Mary Western and the member from North-Eastern St. Andrew.  Madam Speaker, we are a country of laws and the rule of law is supreme. The Parliament is the instrument through which we make laws. Madam Speaker, the commissions get their power through the laws this Parliament makes and the Parliament gives an opportunity for Members who are aggrieved or Members who want to make a personal statement to express their perspectives within this House and have the protection of the Parliament in making their statements and it has been utilized.  Madam Speaker, the concerns raised are valid concerns but we must always remember that we are the lawmakers and we have the power given to us by the electorate to change the laws to make the laws more effective, to make them stronger in the public interest, indeed, to make…