Speeches by the Prime Minister

Statement by The Most Honourable Andrew Holness on Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ) Delivered in Parliament on Tuesday, September 13 Mr. Speaker, over the past  two months I have noted the public sentiments being expressed  in the media and elsewhere about the findings from the audits that were conducted at the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ ) and the Factories Corporation of Jamaica (FCJ).  I have read both reports and must say there are justifiable reasons for the public outcry over what the Auditor General found to be unacceptable practices in some areas of operation in both entities. Both agencies are now under the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, a Ministry which was created March 7, 2016 and one  for which I have responsibility.   Mr. Speaker, although the audits span more than one political administration and fall outside of any time period of this current administration, as the Minister, and given commitments that this Government has made to the people of this country for transparency and good governance, I have taken the decision to update the House and the Nation of the actions that have been and are being taken to address the weaknesses that have been…

Statement by The Most Honourable Andrew Holness On Granting of Spectrum Licence Delivered in Parliament on Tuesday, September 13 Special Report of Investigation Conducted into the Circumstances Surrounding the Granting and /or Issuance of a Domestic Mobile Spectrum Licence to Symbiote Investments Ltd. Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology (MSET)   The Cabinet has given serious and deliberate consideration to the recommendations contained in the Special Report of the Office of the Contractor-General, on the investigation it conducted into the circumstances surrounding the Granting and /or Issuance of a Domestic Mobile Spectrum Licence to Symbiote Investments Limited.   It is worth reminding the Parliament and advising the listening public of this very important fact:   On February 15, 2016, the former Cabinet approved the grant of a Domestic Mobile Spectrum Licence (DSML or spectrum licence) to Symbiote, for a period of fifteen (15) years, at the licence’s fee of Twenty Million Eight Hundred and Thirty Three Thousand Three Hundred and Thirty Two United States Dollars (US$20,833,332.00), subject to the following conditions: Confirmation from the “FID” (Financial Investigation Division of the JCF) that there was no adverse findings from the due diligence exercise; and No sale of the licence and no…

MESSAGE FROM THE MOST HON.ANDREW MICHAEL HOLNESS, ON, MP PRIME MINISTER   EMANCIPATION 2016       Fellow Jamaicans,   As we mark Emancipation Day 2016, we reflect on the heroism, awe-inspiring courage and   indomitable    will of our forebears, as well as the legacy they have bequeathed to us.   The daring of those who were insistent in demanding their dignity; their resoluteness in struggling against their dehumanization and their freshness of vision in imagining a new kind of life, must elicit the deepest admiration in us, their successors.   We are heirs of a great and noble tradition of struggle for justice and human rights.  The boldness of Nanny of the Maroons; the fortitude of Tacky and the moral fierceness of Sam Sharpe must illuminate our own path as we trod this road to the full economic emancipation of our people.   We must draw on the rich reservoir of our history to drive our actions today.  We are emancipated from the shackles of chattel slavery, but there are still some chains which hold us back. We must rid ourselves of them and break free.   Our forebears stubbornly refused to accept the mental chains which the slave-masters would…

Over the past few days, Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and I had many hours of engaging discussions on bilateral, regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest and concern. I am very pleased Prime Minister, that you accepted my invitation to visit Jamaica, and that we were afforded this time together to get to know each other better towards the strengthening of our bilateral relations. Our discussions were frank and open and conducted in an atmosphere of growing friendship and mutual respect. Prime Minister Rowley and I were firmly committed to a focused and result-oriented approach, as we considered proposals for improved economic partnerships and greater cooperation to drive our growth process and to improve the lives of our people. We addressed critical issues pertaining to the proper functioning of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and shared perspectives relating to its implementation. We spoke about the responsibility of member states to guarantee the agreed measures for hassle-free travel, the application of the ten (10) agreed categories of skilled labour, as well as the even acceptance of CSME Skills certificates throughout the region. In this regard, Trinidad and Tobago undertook to continue the process of reviewing its legislation to…

Mr. Speaker, on rising I must give thanks to God for sparing us, individually, as a Parliament and as a Nation, that we can all gather here once again to deliberate on the people’s business and recommit ourselves as instruments of His will. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the people of Jamaica who exercised their civic duty and voted for a new government. The transition has been swift and virtually seamless. We can all be proud of our democratic institutions. I also want to thank the thousands of people from across the country who continue to hold up Jamaica, the government and its leaders, in prayers. I know something good is going to happen in Jamaica. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to address you as, “Mr. Speaker”.  Yours has been a rich, colourful and illustrious career in the public service. You have earned the respect, admiration - and most importantly, the trust of the people you serve and your colleagues with whom you serve, which is why the order and balance of the peoples’ Will in this House has been entrusted to you. Mr. Speaker, we occupy seats in this honourable Place because of the thousands of…

MESSAGE FROM THE MOST HON. ANDREW MICHAEL HOLNESS PRIME MINISTER   LABOUR DAY 2016 My Fellow Jamaicans, As we mark Labour Day, we recall the heroic and landmark struggles of the Jamaican worker from the cane fields of Frome in Westmoreland to the docks of the Kingston Waterfront. It was these workers’ struggles that seeded and catalyzed the national movement towards self government and independence, and developed the first truly mass national organization which would later be leveraged as a political base. Indeed, the government I lead is inextricably linked to the working masses. But these are roots that can be claimed by all of us as Jamaicans, irrespective of political affiliation; for all of us owe a debt of gratitude to our workers.   So it is fitting that we salute our workers and remember the struggles of 1938 which paved the way for modern Jamaica. The core of the struggle then was about securing reward and respect for labour. This Government believes in your labour, your industry, your enterprise. We believe that if there is an atmosphere of understanding and mutual respect where workers are assured that their efforts will be rewarded then they will produce more. Increased productivity…

THE MOST HON. ANDREW HOLNESS, ON, MP PRIME MINISTER Teachers’ Day Message We join the nation in celebrating Teachers for their invaluable contribution to the growth and development of our nation. Jamaica’s global impact has been inextricably linked to the incredible job our teachers have done in nurturing and shaping the minds of our brightest leaders, some of whom have transformed industries and blazed illustrious paths locally and internationally. The Government commends our teachers for having the best interests of children at the forefront of your minds. I am aware that your job is much more than facilitating learning. You are role models, counsellors, nutritionist and so much more; which is why we continue to partner with you in creating an improved education system. As you celebrate your day, we express our sincere gratitude for your commitment to the awesome responsibility of providing quality education for our students and wish for you a day of affirmation and reflection. God bless you.

Salutations: Thank you, master of ceremonies Miss Fae Ellington The Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller Leader of the Opposition Honourable Dr. Horace Chang Minister without Portfolio, Office of the Prime Minister Honorable Daryl Vaz Honourable Mike Henry Minister of Transport and Mining Other Members of the Cabinet and Parliament His Excellency Mr. Niu Qingbao Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Jamaica Mr Ziyu Sun Vice President, China Communications Construction Company Ltd Permanent Secretaries His Worship the Mayor Councillor Norman Scott Mayor of Spanish Town Reverend the Honourable Jeffrey McKenzie Custos Rotulorum for St. Catherine Mr. Yichong Lin President of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Mr. Yingtao Shi Vice President, of China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) Mr. Xiaofeng Wang General Manager, Jamaica North South Highway Co. Ltd Mr. Ivan Anderson Managing Director, National Road Operating & Construction Co. (NROCC) Councillors Heads of Departments and Agencies Members of the Private Sector Community Representatives Members of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen   Remarks: I am very pleased to be opening today, the North-South Link of Highway 2000. In any country, the sheer magnitude of this infrastructure development, in construction undertaking, civil engineering complexity, investment size US$600m, distance covered 67km (approx 41)…

Jamaica is pleased to join other members of the Commonwealth family across the world in commemorating Commonwealth Day 2016, under the theme “An Inclusive Commonwealth”. The Commonwealth encompasses 53 states from all major continents and boasts a total population of over 2.2 billion people, representing the world’s major religions and racial groups. It exhibits rich cultural diversity, and is arguably one of the best examples of inclusiveness. This is further reinforced by the fact that the Commonwealth consists of countries of various sizes and stages of development. It includes the second largest country in the world, as well as tiny islands and landlocked states, all of which are recognised as sovereign states, and all having an equal voice. Bound by our collective commitment to the core values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, the Commonwealth is a testament to the principle of inclusiveness. The Commonwealth promotes mutual understanding and respect for different cultures, while rejecting intolerance, prejudice and racism. Adherence to the principle of inclusiveness within the Commonwealth has redounded to the benefit of many Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including Jamaica. The Organisation’s role in championing the cause of thirty-one small states within its fold has…