News from the OPM

“We are moving ahead with legislative reform to ensure  we protect these natural assets and preserve them for generations to come; that is part of our legacy”- PM Holness   Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the Government will seek to reclaim the country’s natural assets on privately owned property by purchasing the properties from the owners. Prime Minister Holness said the move is to ensure greater protection of ecologically sensitive natural assets of the country. Speaking yesterday (July 29, 2022) at the site of an illegal sand mine in Treasure Beach St. Elizabeth, Prime Minister Holness underscored that while the current structure of our law does impose a duty and does give a system of protection, these natural assets may be on private property. Addressing the illegal sand mining operation the Prime Minister said; “The Government must take legislative action to increase the fines right across the board. The society is advancing very quickly, the private initiative is moving very quickly.  There is a threat to our social order, and we need to ensure that the legislative framework matches the energy that exists for growth and development and also for deviant behaviour in the country.” Meanwhile, Prime Minister Holness highlighted that the criminal underworld is sometimes tied to illegal operations such as illegal sand mining that destroys the environment. The Prime Minister also stated the Government will be taking a more focused approach to looking at the bauxite issues in Jamaica. “One of the things that have always occupied the minds of Jamaicans is the preservation of the value of our natural assets because our national assets are under threat as they are utilized in the creation of economic wealth.  It is a perennial internal challenge between preserving our natural assets, …

"Jamaica now has 25% of its lands designated as protected under legislation" – Prime Minister Holness Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (July 29, 2022) announced the declaration of the Black River Morass, a Protected Area. The Prime Minister said: “Your Government has taken deliberate steps to protect Jamaica's natural assets, we have protected the Cockpit Country, and today we are happy to declare that the Black River Morass Area is now protected. That means Jamaica would have protected 25% of its canvas with those two actions.” Pedro Cays, the Prime Minister announced, will become the third protected area within a few weeks. Prime Minister Holness continued: “Within our 60th year of independence, we should be able to declare that we would have passed 30% of our geographical space under legislative protection, meaning that we can say we are preserving our natural assets; the morass, the rivers, the flora and fauna that they accommodate and support, so that when you and your children stand in this square or some other square 60 years from now, we can say, we have that benefit bequeath to us by the actions of our forebearers 60 years ago.” In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness stated that in preparing for the next 60 years, the Government has plans to improve urban planning and infrastructure development while protecting natural assets. The Prime Minister was speaking yesterday at the Black River Day celebration in the Black River Town Square in St. Elizabeth.

Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang and Chair of the Crime Monitoring and Oversight Committee (CMOC) Lloyd Distant, yesterday had productive discussions in relation to the Government's engagement with CMOC.  In the meeting, which was arranged last week, both Dr Chang and Mr. Distant expressed that there was a common understanding on the principle of consensus between the Government and CMOC.  There were also wide-ranging discussions on various targets set via the consensus as well as opportunities that currently exist for continued collaboration and dialogue to improve government legislative processes. Recognizing the upcoming anniversary of the signing of the National Consensus on Crime Agreement, a future meeting in early August was agreed where discussions will continue with a view to look at effective monitoring of the Government’s National Security initiatives.  The meeting will also examine the realignment of the oversight framework to ensure that there is appropriate oversight and implementation program going forward. Dr Chang and Mr. Distant pledged to continue their open and frank engagement towards sustained achievements in the fight against crime, violence, and corruption.

Amid Crises, the Government Must Maintain a Stable Economy to Ensure the Protection of Livelihoods While at the Same Time, Implementing Programmes and Policies to Cushion the Impact on the Most Vulnerable.   Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government’s management of the economy during two major crises has resulted in growth and historic unemployment figures which are crucial to Jamaica’s continued stability. Speaking yesterday (July 15, 2022) at the launch ceremony for the Youth Summer Employment Programme at Manning’s School in Westmoreland, the Prime Minister underscored that the Government has, through robust strategies and policies, been able to balance fiscal responsibility with the needs of the people, as well as Jamaica’s national development agenda, despite the shock of the covid-19 pandemic and geopolitical disruptions stemming from the Ukraine/Russia conflict. In that regard, the Prime Minister emphasised that in times of shock, the Government must not abandon caution, nor should it take short-sighted decisions that will have devastating impacts on the Jamaican economy and on the future prosperity of the Jamaican people. He urged citizens not to fall prey to this way of thinking which is being espoused by some and which encourages the taking of irresponsible, myopic actions, which the country will then pay for in the future. He reminded the country that Jamaica paid dearly for taking such actions in the past, in one instance taking almost a decade to recover.  The Prime Minister is urging vigilance against this way of thinking and acting, to ensure Jamaica does not suffer unduly in the future. The Prime Minister noted, therefore, that the current posture of the Government is to persevere with development and growth strategies which are in the interest of Jamaicans, while at the same time providing cushioning support to Jamaicans…

Government Will Continue to Invest in Programmes That Will Give Young People Hope for a Brighter Future.   Six thousand (6000) young people will be deployed across various Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government following the launch of the Youth Summer Employment Programme (YSEP) 2022. Speaking at the launch ceremony at the Manning’s School in Westmoreland yesterday (July 15, 2022), Prime Minister Holness urged the young people employed in the programme to maintain a responsible and optimistic approach to life and not to take decisions that will negatively impact their future. He urged them to learn from the mistakes of the past, so as not to repeat them. The Prime Minister said: “Don’t repeat the errors of past generations, you must be the generation of optimism, hope and positivity; the ‘can do’ and ‘will do’ generation of Jamaica. I am here because I love you and I want to see you all successful and this Government will continue to invest in your future.” In entering the world of work, Prime Minister Holness encouraged young people to distinguish themselves and to strive for success in all they do, by having a posture of service, a good attitude towards work and good work ethic. The Prime Minister said, “Come with a smile, come with a listening ear, come with an attitude of learning, come with humility, come with empathy and passion for the people with whom you will be engaging and give respect.”In keeping with the Government’s push to improve service delivery, efficiency, and customer satisfaction as part of the newly launched Service Excellence Programme, Prime Minister Holness told…

Government to Begin Plans for New Corridor Around Spur Tree Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the May Pen to Williamsfield leg of the East-West Highway will significantly cut travel time as the project nears completion. Speaking during a tour of the project today, (July 1, 2022) the Prime Minister stated that the new corridor is expected to be completed by the first quarter of March 2023. In that regard, the Prime Minister said the Government is making plans for a new corridor that will go around Spur Tree. The Prime Minister said that the network of highways will increase efficiency and productivity but will also give the Government an opportunity to treat with rebuilding townships and urban centres. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness said the May Pen to Williamsfield Highway Project, shows that Government initiatives, meant to improve the lives of Jamaicans, are moving apace even amid external shocks. He, therefore, assures all Jamaicans that the Government continues to do its best to ensure the proper management of these projects which provide jobs that support households across the island. The Prime Minister said it is significant to note that some 600 Jamaicans are employed under this highway project in…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government must manage the economy through these turbulent times, by balancing the need for fiscal responsibility with the needs of the people. The Prime Minister noted that the way the Government is managing the economy has allowed Jamaicans to maintain their jobs which enables them to earn a living and provide for their families. He said a welfare transfer would provide only temporary relief, and even so, there is no guarantee that aid will reach those who most need it. In this regard, the Prime Minister stated that targeted assistance is the best option, together with sound economic management to ensure more Jamaicans obtain and keep their jobs. He said this is the most guaranteed way to protect Jamaicans economically. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister highlighted the ways in which the Government is assisting Jamaicans: 1. Electricity subsidy - if your consumption is within 200 kilowatts or less the government pays 20% of the cost. 2. Assistance to Registered Transport Operators - those formally registered will receive support for fuel and other necessary resources. 3. The New Social Pension Programme for the Elderly - Persons 75 years and over can look forward to a cheque…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is urging families not to take violent behavior from family members lightly. Speaking while visiting mother and grandmother Gwendolyn McKnight, whose daughter Kemesha Wright and her 4 children were brutally killed by a family member, Prime Minister Holness says ignoring violent behavior that does not necessarily rise to the level of a crime, has the potential to escalate to much more significant degrees and must be treated with, in the first instance. Prime Minister Holness described the killing of 5 Jamaicans, including an infant as an assault on the sensibilities of Jamaicans. He noted that the accused, Rushane Barnett allegedly displayed violent tendencies that foreshadowed his barbaric killing of members of his own family. The Prime Minister stated that with early intervention, family on family violence such as Ms Wright and her children can be prevented. The Prime Minister underscored that early signs of violence must be documented through formally reporting it to the police, seeking counseling and engaging conflict resolution mechanisms to resolve family-on-family conflict before it festers to result in devastating outcomes. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister said corporal punishment in disciplining children can result in the internalization of violence and the belief that it is a tool to…

The Government of Jamaica strongly condemns the gruesome and horrific murder of a 31-year-old mother and her four children including a toddler, in Clarendon this morning. The horrifying murder of Kemisha Wright of Cocoa Piece, Clarendon, and her four children: Kimana Smith (15 y.o. girl); Shemari Smith (10-year-old girl); Kafana Smith (5-year-old girl) and little Kishaun Henry (and 23 months old baby boy), is an act of savagery, barbarity and brutality of unequal proportions. Ms. Wright was a hardworking and honest young woman who was making a life for herself and her children. The entire country is today feeling immense pain following these bloodcurdling murders, which show extreme contempt for the sanctity of life, and is especially devastated that young, innocent children were viciously cut down. The murder of this family reflects the epidemic of interpersonal violence that bedevils our society and reinforces the need for us to continue to pursue a holistic approach to this disease of inter-personal violence in our society. Horrific murders such as these are shocking to our very core and we must finally resolve as a country to set aside differences and take every action necessary, in an all-of-society effort to save lives and eradicate…