Speeches by the Prime Minister

I'm here because this is a very important day in Jamaica's history, indeed our government. The government has taken a positive decision towards what we like to call the ownership economy. A few days ago, I was reading the editorial in one of our leading newspapers and you can guess which one that is, and the writer of the editorial was making the point that Wigton came out of the PetroCaribe loan facility and thereby attributed Wigton's success to our good friendship and relationship with Venezuela and this is true, there's no debate about that. Indeed, the lament was the closing of the PetroCaribe Funds and the intention of the founders of PetroCaribe, that this would be a way to give back to poor countries that were oil dependent, indeed a way to help countries that were energy poor and populations that were energy poor. If we reflect on what we are doing today and how we've structured the transaction you would have to say that this is the best way of giving back to the people of the country, this is the best way of achieving the goal of socialization of wealth. There is a confusion operating in the…

I was at an event last week where I obviously over exerted and so I’m recuperating. Clearly, Mr Clarke and Williams didn't do much. I'm here because this is a very important day in Jamaica's history, indeed our Government. The Government has taken a positive decision towards what we like to call the ownership economy. A few days ago, I was reading the editorial in one of our leading newspapers and you can guess which one that is, and the writer of the editorial was making the point that Wigton came out of the PetroCaribe loan facility and thereby attributed Wigton's success to our good friendship and relationship with Venezuela and this is true, there's no debate about that. Indeed, the lament was the closing of the PetroCaribe Funds and the intention of the founders of PetroCaribe that this would be a way to give back to poor countries that were oil-dependent, indeed a way to help countries that were energy-poor and populations that were energy poor. I f we reflect on what we are doing today and how we've structured the transaction you would have to say that this is the best way of giving back to the people…

Thank you for your direction of the ceremony so far. Let me assure everyone that my presentation will be brief and therefore I’m expecting to have your full attention. Let me thank Reverend Burchell McPherson for offering the prayers, good to see you again father. Their Excellencies, The Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen Dr Peter Phillips, Leader of the Opposition Mr Christopher Issa, Chairman of the Chris Issa Group of Hotels The Honourable Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism and other members of the Cabinet who are here Jamaica is fortunate to have former prime ministers and I want to especially welcome them to this ceremony; the Most Honourable PJ Patterson and the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller. I say fortunate because when you hold this job you get tremendous experience and that experience can be converted into advice. Advice that should not be kept in a silo but advice that can be shared and I’m certain that all prime ministers are sharing their advice and I can say definitively that I have been the beneficiary of many council and sessions where I've been advised, and I personally am grateful to have access to all former prime ministers. Your Worship…

Madam Director of Protocol and Ceremony, Ms Gloria Henry Reverend Peter Burnett, Thank you for your prayers The Honourable Karl Samuda, the Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Mrs Marlene Malahoo-Forte, Attorney General and Member of Parliament for the constituency in which we are now, Mr Mark Hart, Chairman of the Montego Bay Free Zone and other members of the board who are here, Professor the Honourable Gordon Shirley, President and CEO of the Port Authority of Jamaica and other members of the board of the Port Authority who are here, His Worship the Mayor, Councillor Homer Davis, the Mayor of Montego Bay and other members of the St James Municipal Corporation who are in attendance, Members of the Montego Bay Free Zone Global Services sector workers, Executive Representatives of the public and private sector agencies who are here, Media Representatives, ladies and gentlemen, Let me start with a few housekeeping matters. Firstly, the bypass is still on track and in fact by way of an update the Cabinet last year approved the submission for the bypass to proceed. The submission for funding is now with the China Exim bank awaiting their approval but we've…

Thank you very much Dermon and may I offer you congratulations on your new appointment as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries. Since I made it the recommendation for the appointment I know that you will do a good job. I want to thank Mrs Myers for her fervent prayers for us. I gather she is a member of the board of Lititz Primary School and while I’m at it may I congratulate the students for their dramatic performance in every sense. I too have some association with agriculture and my father also insisted that I do some duties in the pig pen so in acknowledging the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, I want him to know that he's not alone in that upbringing. It is the most humbling experience and Warren got it right that it was a promotion to the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries because I know that the man-of-farm will do an excellent job and I tell you why I feel that way. He has the natural ability to understand the people. He has the natural ability to motivate and inspire but more than that he has a…

Happy New Year everyone. I am certain that this year will be a far more progressive and prosperous year than 2018. Now, 2018 as Julian (Robinson) would agree, was a very good year for Jamaica but this year we're looking forward to even greater things and since you were wondering Julian why you were not appointed now that I know that you have an interest…. Let me do the protocol by first of all acknowledging the singer of the national anthem who did such an inspirational job. Father who prayed for us Let me acknowledge the minister without portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for Environment, Lands and many other things. Mr Daryl Vaz and his wife AnnMarie who as you know Julian has stepped into the political fold as well and I’m expecting great things from her, I know you're not. Our friend His Excellency the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom Asif Ahmad The Venerable Worshipful Mayor Senator and my friend Delroy Williams, the Mayor of the KSAMC And then, of course, Mr Julian Robinson, the Member of Parliament for this constituency and I’ll be meeting upon him quite regularly at these events. You know we have to…

What a blessing it is for us to celebrate and commemorate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ as we acknowledge that He is the reason for the season. Take a walk with me down memory lane, as we revisit the old time Jamaican Christmas.   Children are happy, laughing and playing, families coming together, the barrels cleared, carols playing, traditional spirited sorrel and fruitcake being made. Rice and gungo peas being cooked, the aromatic smell of every kind of meat is on the table for the Christmas feast. No one is left out.  Sounds of merriment can be heard in every rural community and every urban place, grand market, Junkanoo and Christmas Service. Nowhere in this narrative, is there any room for violence, our children are safe, returning residents have no fear, no guns are about, peace and love, joy and kindness abound. This is the true, authentic Jamaican Christmas we can enjoy once more, where everyone is looking out for each other, spreading good vibes and good cheer. I am certain that in many parts of Jamaica the nostalgic Christmas scene I described is unfolding, but sadly, in other areas, people are being impacted by violence.…

This is the new day that the Lord has made and we who have been spared to see it, rejoice and are glad in it for we stand on the threshold of new possibilities and opportunities. As a country, we were able to accomplish much in 2018: Our economy continued its recovery and entered its growth phase We have established a flexible exchange rate and record low inflation Business and consumer confidence remain high Record high levels of employment including youth employment Record low unemployment rate Reduction in absolute poverty Rapid expansion in industries such as business process outsourcing, mining, tourism and logistics Record number of infrastructure projects including the Mandela Highway Improvement Project, Constant Spring Road, Three Miles, Ferris to Mackfield and many more Record number of housing starts and developments through the National Housing Trust and the Housing Agency of Jamaica Major gains in improving safety and security in the country which resulted in a 22% reduction in murders for 2018. All these accomplishments were the result of skilful implementation of a strategic plan to transform Jamaica into a modern, peaceful, and prosperous society. We cannot and will not slow our pace, much remains to be done. Peace…

I rise today in this Honourable House to make it unequivocal and clear yet again that the Integrity Commission is an independent Commission of Parliament. Mr. Speaker, let me specifically draw reference to Section 6(3) of the Act which states that: In the exercise of its powers and performance of its functions under this Act, the Commission- (a)   shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority other than the Court by way of judicial review; (b)   shall act independently, impartially, fairly and in the public interest; and (c)   shall have the power to do all such things as it considers necessary or expedient for the purpose of carrying out its functions. Indeed Mr. Speaker, Section 26 of the Integrity Commission Act states that “subject to the provisions of this Act, the Commission shall regulate its own procedure”.  The nature of the establishment of the Commission is that it will act independently. Indeed, anyone who takes the time to read the Act, which is available online will note that Section 28(1) of the said Act clearly indicates that “the Executive Director is appointed by the Governor-General, acting on the recommendation of the Commission”. There…