News from the OPM

Prime Minister Holness says Jamaica is Producing a Cadre of Software Developers Through the AMBER HEART Academy Prime Minister Andrew Holness says there are tremendous opportunities in the technology sector and the Government, in partnership with the private sector, has made significant progress in pursuing these opportunities.Speaking last evening (Wednesday, June 1, 2022) at the Unveiling of AMBER HEART Institute of Coding and Graduation Ceremony, the Prime Minister said through the public-private partnership between the AMBER Group and the HEART NSTA, the country will have its first cohort of software developers. The Prime Minister said; “We are ensuring that we don’t lose out on the fourth industrial revolution and that we have human resources that can be at the cutting edge of it. We are intent on not just consuming technology, but also creating and developing technology.”  The AMBER HEART Academy pilot project was launched over a year ago and 27 students from various inner-city communities were the first to be a part of the project. Prime Minister Holness stated that “these youngsters represent an important part of the human capital of Jamaica” and their skills are necessary to meet the demands of the fourth industrial revolution. CEO of the AMBER Group, Dushyant Savadia, said…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Amber HEART Institute of Coding is a revolutionary initiative which is proof of how public-private partnership can accelerate our business processes. Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday (June 1, 2022) witnessed the signing of a historic memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Amber Group and the HEART Trust/NSTA to establish the Amber HEART Institute of Coding, the first academy of its kind in Jamaica and the Caribbean. Prime Minister Holness hailed the initiative as revolutionary, and said, “this is proof of concept that we can get things done quickly, efficiently and meaningfully.” The Prime Minister further explained that the public-private partnership accelerated the Government’s vision to deliver robust, intense and in-demand training to our young people. In the same breath, Prime Minister Holness said the coding institute demonstrates the Government’s commitment to action and shows that great things can be accomplished if, “we do business as fast as we run.” Additionally, Prime Minister Holness described the institution as an example of innovative thinking in training and development and said it represents an alignment between education and industry. In this regard, the Prime Minister said, “If we’re serious about growth and development, we must put industry…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government continues to promote a culture of ownership by putting titles in the hands of rightful landowners across Jamaica through the Systematic Land Registration Programme. Speaking yesterday, (June 1, 2022) at the Systematic Land Registration Titling Ceremony in Old Harbour, St. Catherine, Prime Minister Holness underscored that the Government will not just wait on persons to visit the National Land Agency (NLA) to register their titles, but instead, will approach citizen systematically to address the issue of land ownership. The Prime Minister said, “The strategy of this Government is to acknowledge the social justice and equity issues in land settlement in Jamaica. We believe that every single Jamaican should have access to a minimum standard of shelter. We also believe firmly in creating the ownership economy, we believe that every Jamaican household should own some form of asset; land, housing, companies, machinery and equipment, intellectual property, we believe in ownership.” Prime Minister Holness further stated, “I am confident, and I feel very happy that we now have a system in place that will ensure every square inch of land in Jamaica falls under a public register that secures the property rights and interest of…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the Government is increasing the upgrade of internet and broadband services across the island. Speaking yesterday, (May 26) at the official launch and unveiling ceremony of public wifi hotspot in West Central St. Andrew, Prime Minister Holness said the Government is making every effort to upgrade internet and broadband services by leveraging partnerships with the various service providers to bring internet to schools and public spaces right across Jamaica. The process includes providing persons with the necessary devices, particularly for learning which the government has already started. The Prime Minister continued; “The government has two strategic interventions, one is to get devices into the hands of those who can’t afford them, which we have been doing with our children. The second is to get the schools connected so that they can use the smart devices.  We will also continue to place internet access in the public domain particularly in public areas so that if you need to do transactions you can do them online.” With the expansion of technology happening across the country, the Prime Minister noted that it is almost imperative at this time, that the society embraces the digital age and disregard fear…

The Prime Minister says the new facility will set an example of the high quality of care that our poor and vulnerable citizens deserve. Prime Minister Andrew Holness today (May 27), officially opened the new state-of-the-art Transitional Centre for the Homeless in downtown Kingston, named in honour of former Councillor and former Mayor of Kingston, now Minister of Local Government, the Hon. Desmond McKenzie. Prime Minister Holness explained that the facility, based on Kings Street, was transformed from an abandoned dental office into a modern homeless centre.The Prime Minister further highlighted that the current capacity of the centre is 40, with plans in place to add another floor and increase the capacity to 100. Noting that Kingston and St. Andrew have over 60% of the nation’s homeless population, Prime Minister Holness said, “We must view the problem of homelessness in Jamaica as solvable.” In keeping with this, the Prime Minister underscored that the new facility would extend the typical offerings of a drop-in centre to include services such as psychiatric care, social reintegration and rehabilitation. Prime Minister Holness said: “Poor relief is not treated in a political way in Jamaica and that is a good thing for our country. This…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is today welcoming another CARICOM endorsement of Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, for appointment as Commonwealth Secretary General; this time from Belize. In announcing their endorsement of Minister Johnson Smith, Belize’s Prime Minister John Briceno, said, Minister Johnson Smith has a wealth of experience, being in her second term as Foreign Minister. He noted that Minister Johnson Smith chairs numerous regional and international committees and has articulated a vision for the Commonwealth that he believes it needs. He added that, Minister Johnson Smith has demonstrated the capacity to unify and promote collaboration and cooperation for the development of each Commonwealth member State. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness, in welcoming this latest endorsement, said; “Belize’s support for Minister Johnson Smith’s candidature is deeply appreciated and confirms that she has been a strong, consistent and effective voice within CARICOM and in international fora, characteristics she will bring to the post of Commonwealth Secretary General.” The Prime Minister further stated that Minister Johnson Smith’s track record “demonstrates that she will do excellently in taking the Commonwealth forward.” Minister Johnson Smith has also expressed deep appreciation for Belize’s endorsement and…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today welcomed the announcement by the Republic of  India endorsing Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, for appointment as Commonwealth Secretary General. India’s endorsement complements those of the Government of the United Kingdom, Trinidad and Tobago, Singapore and the Maldives, who recently registered their support for Minister Johnson Smith “I am pleased with the expression of public support by the Government of the Republic of India for Minister Johnson Smith, for the post of Commonwealth Secretary General; this endorsement is indicative of the confidence Minister Johnson Smith enjoys and will certainly add to the growing momentum of her  campaign which has been exemplary.” In the meantime, Minister Johnson Smith has reacted to India’s endorsement with expressions of gratitude and restated her committment to working towards the achievement of the shared goals of the Commonwealth.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness today welcomed the announcement by Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Dr. Keith Rowley, that his country endorses Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Honourable Kamina Johnson Smith, for appointment as Commonwealth Secretary General. Prime Minister Holness described the endorsement as quite significant, noting it is the first public endorsement of Jamaica’s candidature by a CARICOM member state. “I am very happy with Prime Minister Rowley’s endorsement of Minister Johnson Smith. Caricom has had the opportunity to hear  and see Minister Johnson Smith in action over the last 6 years as she has executed her role as Foreign Minister within the region and I am certain they would agree that she has been, and continues to be a very strong and sage voice which would be impactful within the context of the Commonwealth.” In the meantime, Minister Johnson Smith has expressed deep gratitude for Prime Minister Rowley’s endorsement and says she is committed to working towards the achievement of the shared goals of the Commonwealth. Minister Johnson Smith is currently in St. Vincent & the Grenadines as she returns from the Agri-Investment Forum in Guyana, where she had the opportunity to meet…

Says Jamaicans must take extra precautions as the country faces the fifth wave of the COVID19 pandemic Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced that the mask wearing requirement will be re-instituted in short order, as the COVID19 positivity rate has increased. In that regard, the Prime Minister is urging Jamaicans to take extra precautions as the country faces the fifth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. He says as the positivity rate seemingly increases, there should be an abundance of caution. The Prime Minister says that while the pandemic will be a “continuing feature of life going forward”, Jamaicans, like persons in other countries worldwide, will for some time experience recurrent bouts of infections from this disease. In the meantime, the Prime Minister stated that “after two years, everyone should know how to behave in order to protect themselves from the virus.” He also encouraged persons to get vaccinated. The Prime Minister said:“I am urging all Jamaicans to act responsibly; by now we know what to do. If you have not yet gotten your vaccine, I encourage you to do so. Vaccine sites are still open, and vaccination is ongoing, get vaccinated. Wear your mask, particularly indoors, but wear them generally,…