News from the OPM

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is focused on ensuring ‘purpose-built schools’ across the island. The declaration comes following a previous announcement by the Prime Minister, that the Government will be constructing six new schools. Addressing the groundbreaking ceremony for the St. Catherine High School Performance Arts Centre on Friday, (June 18, 2021), Prime Minister Holness said there is need for more ‘purpose-built' institutions with high-tech digital laboratories, green spaces and play areas as well as performance arts centres. The Prime Minister explained that modern additions such as laboratories to the learning environment, will positively impact the way in which students learn and improve their skills. The Prime Minister stressed that with the direction in which the world is headed, great emphasis must be placed on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). This he notes, will assist the country to advance quickly and continue to move towards becoming a truly modern, multidimensional, and prosperous nation. Meanwhile the Prime Minister says he has listened to the ongoing debate on whether the new schools to be built should focus exclusively on STEM areas. He says, he believes the study of the Arts is crucial, and that a focus on STEM does not come at…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is appealing to fathers to show love to their children and to not use anger in their interactions with them. The Prime Minister says it must no longer be seen as being soft for men to express genuine love to their children, this includes physical displays of affection such as sharing a hug. Prime Minister Holness also says the notion that children must be seen and not heard is gravely impacting the society. Speaking in an interview on the subject of fatherhood, Prime Minister Holness says every child must be given the freedom to share their thoughts. The Prime Minister says while encouraging and facilitating healthy dialogue between parents and children, parents must also strive to instill in their children, discipline and respect. He notes that being patient and giving children the opportunity to speak, is paramount in the household and is much more effective than harsh punishment. Prime Minister Holness said; “Since the birth of my children, I’ve made it my point of duty to never consider corporal punishment. I instead listen to the sound reasoning of my children because I think, the ability to listen to your children brings about the ability within them to elaborate on…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is ensuring that it is not complicit in any breach of the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) adding that the law will be applied equally to everyone. Speaking to the issue of a party held in breach of the Covid-19 protocols, Prime Minister Holness said, “There is a particular situation that has come on our radar this morning. One that I have to pay careful attention to, because it throws up something with which we are always contending; the unequalness of the society - the haves and the have nots.” In that regard, the Prime Minister noted that the Government has a duty to ensure that the DRMA is not just observed in words but followed by all, and as such, he supports a full investigation into the matter. “I have asked for a report; my own investigations will be conducted and I expect the  various arms of the State that have a duty to ensure the equal application of the law, to move quickly in that direction to ensure that the full application of the law will be guaranteed.” said Prime Minister Holness. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness urged all Jamaicans…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling on the international community to assist the region in bridging gaps within the SDGs as small developing nations recover from Covid-19. Speaking recently at the virtual P4G Summit hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Holness indicated several areas within the SDGs that require attention. He noted that recovery for Jamaica in particular, includes resilience which is linked to categories in the SDGs and the climate change agenda. On the subject of an accelerated approach to the climate change agenda, the Prime Minister stated that financial resources must be “scaled up and access simplified”. The Prime Minister said, “New categories must be established for access to concessional and non-concessional development finance based on vulnerability measures rather than per capita income.” He further noted that there should be more resources dedicated to adaptation in recognition of the vulnerability of countries which are low emitters, and access to appropriate technology, especially for early warning systems, research and development, digitization and modernization should be assured. In this regard, Prime Minister Holness says, now is the time to implement an inclusive approach that is beneficial to all. “Today we have a unique opportunity to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is calling on the international community to assist the region in bridging gaps within the SDGs as small developing nations recover from Covid-19. Speaking recently at the virtual P4G Summit hosted by the Government of the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Holness indicated several areas within the SDGs that require attention. He noted that recovery for Jamaica in particular, includes resilience which is linked to categories in the SDGs and the climate change agenda. On the subject of an accelerated approach to the climate change agenda, the Prime Minister stated that financial resources must be “scaled up and access simplified”. The Prime Minister said, “New categories must be established for access to concessional and non-concessional development finance based on vulnerability measures rather than per capita income.” He further noted that there should be more resources dedicated to adaptation in recognition of the vulnerability of countries which are low emitters, and access to appropriate technology, especially for early warning systems, research and development, digitization and modernization should be assured. In this regard, Prime Minister Holness says, now is the time to implement an inclusive approach that is beneficial to all. “Today we have a unique opportunity to…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is anticipating the reopening of the entertainment economy. The Prime Minister says his Government is fully cognizant of the  value of Jamaica’s entertainment economy and noted that one of the ways to ensure the speedy recovery of the sector, is for persons to become inoculated against Covid-19. The Prime Minister was speaking today (June 3, 2021) at the Renaming of  Denham Town Primary and Infant School to the Edward Seaga Seaga Primary and Infant School in West Kingston. The Prime Minister said; “I truly do appreciate the challenges, and as we seek to reopen the sector, taking the vaccine will make that process much faster.” In that regard, the Prime Minister reiterated the call for equitable access to vaccines. He says “hopefully Jamaica will get a significant share of what is available to the region.” In the meantime, in a recent statement in Parliament, Prime Minister Holness said the Government is engaged in discussions with a view to agreeing on the appropriate protocols for a limited reopening of the entertainment sector this summer. Additionally, the Prime Minister says the intention of the Government has been to reopen the industry in a safe and…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is anticipating the reopening of the entertainment economy. The Prime Minister says his Government is fully cognizant of the  value of Jamaica’s entertainment economy and noted that one of the ways to ensure the speedy recovery of the sector, is for persons to become inoculated against Covid-19. The Prime Minister was speaking today (June 3, 2021) at the Renaming of  Denham Town Primary and Infant School to the Edward Seaga Seaga Primary and Infant School in West Kingston. The Prime Minister said; “I truly do appreciate the challenges, and as we seek to reopen the sector, taking the vaccine will make that process much faster.” In that regard, the Prime Minister reiterated the call for equitable access to vaccines. He says “hopefully Jamaica will get a significant share of what is available to the region.” In the meantime, in a recent statement in Parliament, Prime Minister Holness said the Government is engaged in discussions with a view to agreeing on the appropriate protocols for a limited reopening of the entertainment sector this summer. Additionally, the Prime Minister says the intention of the Government has been to reopen the industry in a safe and…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government of Jamaica is prepared for the Hurricane Season even while still dealing with the effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister said, “The restrictions imposed by Covid-19 will alter our emergency and recovery responses. However, we are not daunted we are focused on strategically putting in place what we need to safeguard our faster and stronger recovery. Like we have done successfully in the past year, our strategy must be to anticipate, plan, and prepare for the threat and not to panic if or when it materializes.” The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday (June 1, 2021) as he delivered the charge to members of the National Disaster Risk Management Council Meeting at the launch of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season under the theme, “Hurricane Readiness in Trying Times.” Prime Minister Holness said the objectives of the National Hurricane Preparedness campaigns are to increase public awareness of all hazards, increase visibility islandwide, create a culture of compliance, and strengthen public knowledge. As chairman of the National Disaster Committee, the Prime Minister instructed the Committee to direct its attention to several priority areas, including the readiness of shelters and shelter operations, cleaning drain…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced recrafted Covid-19 measures under the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA). The amended measures will begin on June 3, 2021, and expire June 30, 2021. Speaking yesterday (June 1, 2021) in Parliament, Prime Minister Holness said, “All through the pandemic, we have been guided by the data and the science in our management. Our approach has been evidence-based, measured, proportionate, and situationally appropriate. We have also been fair and equitable. While we cannot become complacent, the declining numbers do support some relaxation of the measures.” However, the Prime Minister noted that while there has been improvement in the Covid-19 situation in the country over the last two months, significant risks remain as only approximately 5% of the population has received the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and less than 1% is fully vaccinated. In that regard, the Prime Minister reiterated that all Jamaicans must remain cautious and diligent in observing the protocols of wearing masks, physical distancing, and sanitizing. “We have now experienced two spikes in Jamaica. We know the behaviours and the carelessness that result in spikes. Let us not repeat the mistakes of the past. Let us view the relaxation of the…