News from the OPM

Prime Minister Holness says increased bank fees will cause greater stress on citizens. Speaking last evening (January 25, 2022) at the Opening Ceremony of the Jamaica Stock Exchange 17th Regional Investments and Capital Markets Conference at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Prime Minister asserted that financial institutions must be cognizant of the difficulties that citizens face, especially during the pandemic. The Prime Minister said while Jamaica seeks to transition out of the pandemic and the related measures, we are still in the midst of a pandemic. In this regard, he noted that there are many Jamaicans experiencing significant financial difficulties.  He told business leaders present that with society still reeling from the economic fallout from the pandemic, it would be iniquitous to increase banking fees and other prices on consumers at this time. The Prime Minister said: “Business leaders must pay attention to the social context; I have a higher duty to ensure equity and to protect the vulnerable.” The Prime Minister further stated that in urging business leaders to consider the social context, he is not appealing to their conscience, but rather pointing out a fact that makes good business sense, while at the same time providing a buffer…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has signaled that more changes will be made to the Cabinet to better fulfill the mandate of the Government to its citizens as the needs of the society evolves. Speaking this morning (January 11, 2022) at a virtual ceremony to swear in three new Ministers and the Attorney General, the Prime Minister said: “As opportunities present themselves, there will be more changes to come. It is a difficult time, but we are a stable Government. We are a solid Government, we have competent people, we have a clear set goal and mission and with the challenges we face with the pandemic, we can say, unlike most countries that we have been surviving the pandemic, certainly from a fiscal standpoint very well. We have challenges with crime, but we have our plans in place, and we are steadily working through those. I wish to assure the people of Jamaica that we will not be deterred and we are on the job 24/7 working in your service,” said Prime Minister Holness. While congratulating the new Ministers who were sworn-in, the Prime Minister further stated: “Right now, we are focused on getting the Government's legislative agenda settled, getting agriculture back on track, getting information back on track, because what has happened in the pandemic is that we have seen an unleashing of a flood of false information, fake news and it would seem that there is a willingness to accept and believe false information.” In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness underscored that, like other organisations, the Administration will have to place…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness officially declared the new headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade building in downtown Kingston, in honour of the late former Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer. The Prime Minister made the announcement yesterday (January 19, 2022) during the official opening ceremony of the Ministry’s headquarters on Port Royal Street Downtown. The Most Hon. Hugh Lawson Shearer retains the title of the longest serving Minister of Foreign Affairs. He also served as Prime Minister from 1967 to 1972 and served simultaneously as Minister of Defence and Foreign Affairs. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and again as Minister of Foreign Affairs. In his remarks, Prime Minister Holness stated that the former Foreign  Affairs Minister laid the foundation for a “principled and forthright foreign policy posture” which has served Jamaica well. He also noted that one of the most acclaimed initiatives presented in the very first policy statement to the United Nations General Assembly by the late Hugh Lawson Shearer in 1962 was the proposal for the declaration of an international year of human rights which was observed in 1968. The Prime Minister said: “It was Hugh Lawson Shearer who delivered the policy statement and under whose initiative the proposal was developed. It was a demonstration of boldness and foresight that only a person of his sensitivity and awareness of the importance of the subject would convey. Hugh Shearer went on to deliver Jamaica’s policy statement as a newly independent country annually until 1966, thus pioneering the development of the Jamaican foreign ministry.” The naming of the new headquarters was approved by the Cabinet.In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness noted that former Prime Minister Shearer’s management of his portfolio at the Foreign Ministry was imbued with his conviction of the inextricable link between domestic and foreign policy. “He led his staff to operate at their best and earned their admiration for his…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the imposition of tighter COVID-19 containment measures could cause significant harm to the economy. Speaking yesterday (January 19, 2022) at the official opening and launch of the new Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters, the Prime Minister pointed out that he has heard the calls for tighter restrictions. However,  Prime Minister Holness asserted that based on several factors, the economy would suffer negatively. “We have to reach a reasonable balance. Tighter rules could mean less work, it could mean less economic activity, less income and that could also mean,  more social problems,” said Prime Minister Holness. Since the beginning of the pandemic in Jamaica in March 2020, the Government has been advising the public to observe the basic infection prevention protocols. In that regard, the Prime Minister reminded everyone that as the country now faces the fourth wave of the COVID-19 disease, personal responsibility must be the order of the day. Further, Prime Minister Holness intimated that Jamaicans must develop and learn to use their freedom responsibly. Prime Minister Holness said: “Government has a duty to protect the citizens even against themselves but in a democracy which we claim, where people have freedom; that freedom comes with an…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has declared a Zone of Special Operation (ZOSO) for some communities in Savanna-la-mar south in the parish of Westmoreland for 60 days. Based on the recommendation of the security chiefs, members of the Jamaica Defence Force, JDF, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF,  were deployed at dawn yesterday (January 16) to several sections of the communities of Russia, Darling Street, and Dexter Street. The announcement of the declaration was made during a press conference yesterday (Sunday, January 16, 2022) at the Office of the Prime Minister Media Centre. The Prime Minister said: “The parish of Westmoreland has several communities captured by gangs and is currently in the grips of barbaric gangsters executing brutal terror on our people. These communities are in need of social and infrastructure intervention. Some of these communities are urban in nature and their profile fits and application of Zones of Special Operations.” The Prime Minister further stated: “I have spent time in these areas and I am aware of the conditions of terror that people endure, I feel their pain and I know that the vast majority of residents in those gang captured communities whether, in Central Kingston, August Town or Sav South are peaceful, law-abiding citizens who simply want to live in peace. However, their lives have been imperilled by criminals inflicting terror on the community.” The boundaries of the Sav South ZOSO are: North: Beginning at the northern arc of Seaton Crescent in the vicinity of the mangrove on the eastern side of the Goodens River, the boundary extends in the easterly direction along Seaton Crescent then north on to Murray Street, then south on to Great Georges Street to the intersection with Rose Street then north-easterly along Rose Street on to Segre Street to the intersection of Hudson Street. East: The boundary then extends southerly from the intersection of Serge…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the major investment of US$60 million dollars into the redevelopment of Kingston Wharves Limited (KWL) is a significant boost for the productive sector and the economy. The investments will cover three major infrastructural development projects; the redevelopment of Berth 7, Ashenheim Road Warehouse Complex and Kingston Wharves’ Crane #8 as well as technology and human resources. Speaking at the official signing ceremony for the redevelopment of Berth 7 at Kingston Wharves yesterday (Wednesday, January 12, 2022), Prime Minister Holness said the KWL has done well in reinventing and reestablishing itself as one of the most competitive and successful mixed-used Ports that has created significant employment opportunities. Also, Prime Minister Holness underscored that these investments are a signal that the Jamaican economy is getting back on track. The Prime Minister said; “There is a sense that we are getting our debt under control; our fiscal house in order. There is certainty. There is confidence in the economic environment of the country, so more investors can now take a greater interest in us.” In the meantime, the Prime Minister noted that the growth in the economy is relatively low however there has been significant job creation due to investor interest. “At the phase of recovery and development that we are, objective number one is to get our people employed, to get in the industry and to get the investments in and then to build on that,” said Prime Minister Holness. Further, the Prime Minister said: “I am confident that the lead government agencies, PAJ, JSEZA, JCA, NWA will continue to work collaboratively with Kingston Wharves to show what Jamaica can achieve when public and private sector…

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has announced a further two weeks extension of the current COVID-19 containment measures. The Prime Minister made the announcement while speaking in Parliament today, (Tuesday, January 11, 2022). The extended measures will expire on January 27, 2022. Prime Minister Holness said: “As a result of the fourth wave the existing measures will remain in place until we have more information on the number of positive cases that results in hospitalization and in particular, require high flow nasal oxygen.” The nightly curfews will therefore remain 10:00 pm to 5:00 am January 28, 2022. In the meantime, Prime Minister Holness reiterated that the country cannot afford more lockdowns. He, therefore, urges all Jamaicans to get immunised and for persons to get booster shots as soon as possible. The Prime Minister said: “The Government will continue to work in providing public education on vaccines and will ensure the continued secure government operations and services. The country must move on, with our lives and getting the economy back on track. We cannot allow ourselves to be defeated by the pandemic.” Further to his announcements, Prime Minister Holness stated that he is pleased with the resumption of face-to-face schools. Notwithstanding, the Prime Minister encourages parents and guardians to closely monitor their children.

Prime Minister is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Derrick McKoy as the Attorney General. Dr. McKoy has significant knowledge and experience in law. Derrick McKoy is a former Contractor General of Jamaica and a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. He holds a doctorate in law from the University of Leicester, a doctorate in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University, the LLM in International and Comparative Law from University College London, the MBA from Barry University, and the LLB from the University of the West Indies. In 2016, Dr. McKoy was awarded the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Command (CD), for Outstanding Contribution to the Legal Profession and for Public Service in Jamaica.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has advised the Governor General of the following changes to the Executive.  The newly appointed Ministers will be sworn in at a virtual ceremony on Tuesday, January 11, 2022. The changes take into account the need for greater focus and attention on constitutional and legal reform as well as improving the pace of development and passage of legislation through the Parliament. These changes are also designed to facilitate greater coordination and synergy of resources on further increasing the number of housing solutions at affordable prices as well as the development and pursuit of new economic opportunities, such as the Blue and the Green Economy as we recover from the pandemic. As the Government moves towards fulfilling its mandate, increasing the pace of implementation of projects, and transitioning its management of the pandemic, there is also a greater need for coordination in the dissemination of timely and accurate information to the public.