News from the OPM

“The JCF embraces wholeheartedly the use of body-worn cameras. The leadership of the JCF has been very proactive in securing the best technological platform and ecosystem to support the full deployment of body-worn cameras.” - Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reaffirmed the Government of Jamaica’s unequivocal support for the full deployment of body-worn cameras (BWCs) across the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), as the government continues to strengthen transparency, accountability, and public trust in policing. Speaking on Wednesday (January 21, 2026) at the Passing-Out Parade and Awards Ceremony for Trainee Constables of Batches 161 and 162 at the National Police College of Jamaica, Prime Minister Holness made it clear that the JCF “embraces wholeheartedly the use of body-worn cameras” and that the Government is committed to equipping the Force with the resources required to support modern, rights-respecting policing. Dr. Holness highlighted that approximately one thousand body-worn cameras have already been secured, with additional units currently in procurement. He confirmed that the Government will provide the necessary budgetary support to ensure that all formations requiring BWCs are adequately equipped. “This announcement is intended to put to rest public concerns that have been expressed in various…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness says the Government is moving decisively into the execution phase of its national recovery and resilience strategy, with the operationalisation of the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA). The Prime Minister provided the update last on January 20, 2026, while addressing the 21st Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. He outlined the concrete steps now underway to activate NaRRA as the central coordinating mechanism for post disaster reconstruction and resilience building. The Prime Minister said, “We are establishing the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority, an institution mandated to coordinate post-disaster reconstruction and long-term resilience building. This will be a centre of excellence, a single point of coordination, a platform for public-private partnerships, and we will be reaching out to the private sector in a deliberate way to see how we can partner to get projects, financed and executed.” Prime Minister Holness explained that NaRRA has been temporarily housed within the Cabinet Office, with Cabinet scheduled to finalize its governance framework, organizational structure, initial project portfolio and legislative agenda. He said an executive officer is currently being recruited to lead the authority, signalling the transition from concept to…

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness says Jamaica has reached a historic turning point in public safety, recording a 50 percent reduction in murders compared to the same period last year, a transformation that is strengthening economic confidence, lowering business costs and improving Jamaica’s global brand as a peaceful and attractive investment destination. The Prime Minister made this observation while addressing the 21st Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, emphasizing that no serious discussion on growth, investment or productivity can occur without confronting violence as a national economic risk. Dr. Holness stated, “No discussion on economic confidence and investment would be complete without addressing public safety. In 2025, Jamaica recorded a 42 percent reduction in homicides compared to 2024. This is not a fluke. In 2023, we had an eight percent reduction. In 2024, we had a 19 percent reduction. As of today, we are 50 percent below last year this time.” Prime Minister Holness explained that the results are the outcome of deliberate, measured and sustained action under Plan Secure Jamaica, which has been supported by a ninety-billion-dollar investment in national security and institutional capacity. The Prime Minister stressed that violence carries a…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness says the Government of Jamaica will pursue deliberate and far-reaching financial sector and capital market reforms to support economic resurgence, resilience and long-term national development as the country recovers from the impacts of Hurricane Melissa. Speaking on January 20, 2026, at the Jamaica Stock Exchange’s 21st Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Prime Minister says this approach will be marked by lower public debt, strong external reserves and increasingly sophisticated domestic capital markets. Prime Minister Holness emphasized that Jamaica’s improved macroeconomic fundamentals require a modern regulatory approach that protects stability while enabling growth. “Today, Jamaica operates in a vastly different macroeconomic environment with significantly lower public debt, robust external reserves, credible and durable fiscal anchors, and deeper, more sophisticated domestic capital markets. The risks we face today are different. The instruments available to us are more complex, and the opportunities before us are far greater,” said Prime Minister Holness. The Prime Minister underscored that regulatory reform will be purposeful and responsible, aimed at aligning oversight with evolving risk profiles and innovation, while positioning capital markets to play a more dynamic role in national development. Dr. Holness…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has assured Jamaicans that all relief supplies received in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa are being managed under the highest standards of accountability, transparency, and probity. Prime Minister Holness was speaking at the handover ceremony of housing supplies by New Era Housing Development, held at the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) base in Luana, St. Elizabeth, on January 16, 2026. Addressing misinformation circulating in the public domain about the handling of relief donations, the Prime Minister emphasized that the management of relief supplies adheres to the highest governance standards. “These supplies are managed to the highest level of probity, accountability, and standards. Claims to the contrary are simply not consistent with how the system operates," he said. The Prime Minister explained that the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM) is the sole government entity responsible for receiving all relief donations on behalf of the Government of Jamaica. “ODPEM is the entity of government that receives all material and cash donations. There are established accountability mechanisms in place to ensure that everything donated is properly managed,” the Prime Minister said. Dr. Holness further explained that while ODPEM oversees the donation process, the…

Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has emphasized that strengthening the resilience and continuity of State institutions is a central pillar of the Government’s disaster response strategy, noting that safeguarding public services during crises requires foresight, planning, and disciplined decision-making. Addressing the Official Reopening of Business Kiosks and Shops at Border in St. Elizabeth on January 16, 2026, Prime Minister Holness explained that while immediate relief is necessary after a disaster, governments are elected to think beyond the urgent moment and to prepare the country for what comes next. “Governments are elected to think several steps ahead and to prepare the country for what lies beyond the immediate moment,” the Prime Minister said, highlighting the responsibility of leadership to anticipate challenges and protect the functioning of the State during and after emergencies. Dr. Holness explained that following Hurricane Melissa, the Government took deliberate decisions to strengthen the operational capacity of critical public institutions so that essential services could continue even in adverse conditions. “After Hurricane Melissa, we can now say that there are many State entities that did not have backup power before that now have backup power,” the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister noted that generators…

The Government of Jamaica has reaffirmed its commitment to restoring economic livelihoods in communities affected by Hurricane Melissa, as Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness addressed the Official Reopening of Business Kiosks and Shops at Border, St. Elizabeth, on January 16, 2026. Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Holness explained that while emergency relief was necessary in the immediate aftermath of the hurricane, the Government has deliberately shifted its focus toward economic recovery and business continuity, recognizing that true recovery is measured by the restoration of livelihoods and local enterprise. “Normalcy returns when local shops and community spaces like Border are back in operation, allowing people to sell goods, earn an income, and support their families through their own efforts,” the Prime Minister said. Dr. Holness emphasized that reopening businesses is central to rebuilding communities and restoring dignity and independence to affected families. “Emergency relief helps people survive the shock, but long-term recovery comes when livelihoods are restored and communities can stand on their own again,” he added. The target reopening of community businesses forms part of the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce (MIIC) Business Restoration Programme, established following the Prime Minister’s directive to prioritize the recovery…

Summary of Discussions   Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness on Saturday held a productive telephone conversation with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which they discussed ongoing cooperation between Jamaica and the United States, including U.S. assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa and broader regional economic and security priorities. Secretary Rubio commended the Government of Jamaica’s management of the hurricane relief and recovery efforts and recognized the rapid restoration of critical services across affected communities after a Category 5 impact. Prime Minister Holness expressed sincere appreciation to the Government and people of the United States for their continued support throughout the relief and early recovery phase. They also discussed the magnitude and complexity of the reconstruction effort ahead, including the need to build more robust infrastructure to support economic activity. Secretary Rubio reaffirmed the United States’ willingness to support Jamaica’s reconstruction and resilience efforts through continued cooperation and partnership, including private sector participation. Prime Minister Holness also welcomed the recent decision by the U.S. Department of State to once more upgrade Jamaica’s travel advisory from Level 3 to Level 2, noting that this positive development reflects the country’s sustained improvements in public safety and…

As Jamaica moves decisively to recover from the economic disruption caused by Hurricane Melissa, Prime Minister the Most Honourable Dr. Andrew Holness has issued a direct challenge to investors to expand investment, raise productivity, and pursue large-scale, innovative projects to power faster national recovery and long-term growth. Speaking on Tuesday (January 13, 2026) at the official opening of the Wisynco Brewery and New Manufacturing Facility in St. Catherine, the Prime Minister underscored that economic expansion, not retrenchment, is the path forward following the hurricane’s impact on multiple sectors and parishes. “The only way for us to come out of this is to grow our way out of it. There is no international aid that can rescue us. The days of us looking for a country or a benefactor to come and assist, those days are over. We must stand on our own two feet and recover by ourselves. That is the definition of an independent country,” Prime Minister Holness said. The Prime Minister assured Jamaicans that the Government remains firmly focused on their interests, highlighting measurable national progress even in the face of adversity, including declining murder rates, improved stability, and strong international confidence in Jamaica’s economic management. “When you…