News from the OPM

Prime Minster Andrew Holness has recalled one of the best and most lasting pieces of advice he received from Jamaica’s 5th Prime Minster, the Most Hon. Edward Seaga: “Whatever you do, don’t forget the poor.” In keeping with this, Prime Minister Holness added, “In all our policy pursuits, in all the grand ideas, we must ensure that the core of these policies brings along the poor and the most vulnerable in the society and we have never forgotten that.” The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday (November 3, 2022) while delivering his main address at the inaugural Edward Seaga Human Development Lecture at the University of Technology. The lecture also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the HEART/NSTA Trust, which was founded by former Prime Minister Seaga in July 1982. Notably, the HEART/NSTA Trust continues to stand as Jamaica’s foremost national institution for skills training and development. In his 2010 follow-up memoir, ‘My Life and Leadership – Volume 2’, former Prime Minister Seaga wrote, “Among the large number of institutions, I have been responsible for creating, HEART became one of my favourites because it saved thousands of youths by giving them a second opportunity to create a better life.” Since then, HEART…

The concept of a hero is as old as civilization itself. The actual word ‘hero’ comes from the Greeks. Their concept of hero was a mortal, a person, whose accomplishments were considered so superhuman that they are remembered for centuries and eons, becoming immortal and mythical. Heroes represent the known limits of human achievement, and at the same time they show the possibilities of the human potential. The fact that someone, like us, can accomplish something so extraordinary, beyond what we think we could do, evokes respect and honour for both the extraordinary feat and the person. Often, this great feat comes at great personal sacrifice, even the sacrifice of one’s own life. We look at the sacrifice and ask ourselves would we make the ultimate sacrifice of our own life in pursuit of a cause? On Heroes Day, we reflect on the brave and selfless sacrifice of our Heroes who changed the course of history, liberated our people, founded our nation, and made our lives personally better. Our heroes, through their sacrifice and struggle are extraordinary models and lessons in resolve, strength of character, grit, determination, selflessness, grace and dignity. They represent not only the celebrated and memorialized extraordinary…

On Thursday 29 September, Prime Minister Andrew Holness chaired the monthly sitting of the National Security Council (NSC) where the details of the Gun Amnesty that will be introduced as legislated in the new Firearms (Prohibition, Restriction and Regulation) Act were discussed. The Amnesty will follow and run concurrently with a period of intense public education on the provision of the new firearm law and will give persons in possession of illegal firearms, the opportunity to surrender these weapons to the State, without jeopardy of prosecution. It was agreed that the amnesty will not be for an extended period. The Council has directed the Ministry of National Security to begin the roll out of the public education campaign as a matter of priority. The NSC also reviewed progress on other pieces of legislation to strengthen overall law enforcement, including the Bail Act and the Enhanced Security Measures Act (ESMA).  Briefing on Molly and other dangerous drugs and addictive substances The NSC received a presentation from the National Council on Drug Abuse (NCDA) highlighting the increased use of psychoactive substances and its deviant effect on our youth, particularly coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic. A recent situational assessment undertaken in May 2022…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (September 28) commissioned 45-kilowatt floating solar panels at the Mona Reservoir. The solar installation is set to bring electricity savings of some one billion dollars annually to the National Water Commission (NWC). It’s the first phase of a project by the NWC to make its systems energy efficient. At the commissioning ceremony, Prime Minister Holness explained that the project, once completed, will help reduce the enormous cost of producing, storing, treating and distributing water, which has contributed to the utility company being unprofitable over the years. Prime Minister Holness hailed the move as a strategic nation-building decision that will benefit generations of Jamaicans. Noting the government’s progress in upgrading public infrastructure, Prime Minister Holness said: “We need to increase the pace of our nation-building infrastructure decisions as well as our capacity and horsepower to take on major projects because the current infrastructure has reached its limit.” In addition, the Prime Minister underscored that Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations remain a central factor in developing sustainable and resilient infrastructure. Prime Minister Holness said: “This Government has shown that we can pursue major development projects, include the people, preserve the environment and improve the general aesthetics…

“There is a strong effort by this Government in building resilience in our economy” - Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Andrew Holness handed over seven new water trucks to the National Water Commission (NWC) yesterday (September 27, 2022)  at the NWC Marescaux Road Compound. Addressing the handing over ceremony, the Prime Minister underscored that the investment of the trucks will help to mitigate or respond to water shortages. Citing a severe drought that affected the parish of Manchester during the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as extreme flooding in other instances, Prime Minister Holness indicated that the Government had to act quickly in procuring the much needed resources for the State Agency as the country confronts climate change. The Prime Minister said: “It is almost a routine that for the last four years we have had a severe weather event that has caused serious flooding. There is a strong effort by this Government in building resilience in our economy. The capacity to respond to external shocks, to recover quickly and get on with the business of governing the country.” Therefore, the Prime Minister said the NWC must have the capacity to deliver water in any eventualities. He noted…

The Government and people of Jamaica join with the British Royal Family, the people of the United Kingdom, and the entire Commonwealth, in mourning the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Prime Minister Holness said: “The world has lost a global matriarch, who was a steadying and constant force throughout many crises and periods of difficulty. Over the course of her 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II made an immense contribution to the world in public life and was a close friend of Jamaica. As the longest reigning British sovereign, Queen Elizabeth served with distinction, leading with dignity and grace. Since her coronation in 1953, Her Majesty visited Jamaica every decade until the early 2000s. Her Royal Tours saw her visiting Jamaica in 1953, 1966, 1975, 1983, 1994 and 2002, where she participated in Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, and many sittings of the Houses of Parliament on such occasions. Undoubtedly, she formed a special bond with the people of Jamaica during her reign, and her visits were met with warm welcome and an outpouring of affection. Her Majesty has sworn in 15 Prime Ministers of the United Kingdom and has presided over the growth and transformation of the Commonwealth.…

All of us at the British High Commission are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne only a few years after the Second World War and has been the United Kingdom’s longest-ever reigning monarch. It is an extraordinary achievement to have presided with such dignity and grace for 70 years. Even at the age of 96, The Queen remained determined to carry out her duties, receiving new Prime Minister Liz Truss only two (2) days ago. Her Majesty championed the development of the Commonwealth - from a small group of seven countries to a family of 56 nations, spanning every continent of the world. During her reign, the Queen visited Jamaica on no fewer than six occasions, most recently in 2002. The Queen’s first visit to the island came the year after she ascended the throne. She arrived in Jamaica in November 1953, and toured the island with her husband Prince Phillip. She retained a deep affection for this beautiful island, its unique character and the warmth of its people throughout her life. She visited more than 100 countries and touched the lives of millions around the world.…

Kingston, Jamaica:- The Cabinet today received a preliminary briefing from Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited (SCJ) and the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA), on media reports that agricultural lands in Innswood, St Catherine will be used for housing development. While the Cabinet will get further briefings, the following facts have been established: Model Agricultural Production Limited, which is a company associated with Mr Michael Lee-Chin, is in possession of a lease for lands in Innswood, St Catherine. A portion of the leased lands is currently being utilized for agricultural production. Other entities associated with Mr. Lee Chin have expressed an interest in purchasing a portion of the lands (the subject of the lease mentioned above) and have advised that they wish to use those portions of land for housing. The conditions of the lease restrict the use of the lands for agricultural purposes only. There has been no sale of the Innswood lands and the Government has not made any decision to sell the lands in question. The Government is extremely sensitive to competing demands for scarce land resources for housing and agriculture. The Cabinet noted that there are established laws, policies and procedures to transparently deal with the…

Prime Minister Holness Says Private Sector Involvement Will Assist in Increasing the Number of Solutions Being Brought to the Market. Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is on target to deliver on the committed  70,000 housing solutions to the market. The Prime Minister says by the end of the year, the Government will be delivering over 9,000 solutions. “Of the 70,000 we have committed some two years ago, I am confident that we are close to delivering about 10,0000 before the year is out, between the NHT, the HAJ, the New Social Housing Programme (NSHP) and other programmes that the Government is undertaking,” says Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday (August 12) at the official handing over ceremony for more than 60 new National Housing Trust (NHT) units at Industry Cove in Hanover. With the pandemic having set back some developmental plans and construction for two years, the Prime Minister underscored that the Government is working to ensure the committed number is achieved by providing the solutions more quickly. The Prime Minister continued: “We will in a few months announce a new programme which will see a rapid increase in the number of solutions that can be brought to the public for purchase.” Notwithstanding, Prime Minister Holness said even more solutions can be provided if the private sector jumps on board. He noted that the Government cannot achieve meeting the demand unless assistance is given. “I’m not speaking about private sector money, because the private sector has resources and is quite competitive in dealing with a certain segment of the society. The challenge is to get the private sector to participate in the affordable and low income elements of the market where the demand is,” said Prime Minster Holness. He…