Jamaica, It Cannot Be Business As Usual

Prime Minister, The Honourable Dr Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP

The Governor General
Sir Patrick Allen.

Jamaica needs some changes at this time, and the change should start at the top of the stream with the head of state, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Linton Allen, ON, GCMG, CD, KSt.J. My concern is that if he continues longer and the public sees him as ineffective, then when we have discussions about constitutional changes, the people will believe that having a ceremonial president is a waste of time.

The next place we need to make changes is to change some of those who surround the prime minister and the heads of certain organizations. The Prime Minister has the greatest opportunity, besides PJ Patterson, to make Jamaica great. PJ failed us miserably, and we cannot afford to have another long-serving prime minister fail our country. Jamaica has spent too many years since 1972 sliding down a slippery slope. It is time we get up and move!

There are a few members of parliament who need to resign in a dignified way, and they should receive all the accolades that they deserve. At this stage, it is time to go home and enjoy your life with your family and friends. When I mention that, I think of Sista Portia, who was not all that old, and she has spent the best years of her life serving the people. Now, she cannot even enjoy her golden years. Tek sleep mark death. What has happened to Sista Portia can happen to anyone.

We have wasted time arguing about this NaARRA bill, and I am sure that we could spend more valuable time making long-term plans for our country. Someone asked me why the PM did not appoint someone to be in charge of the reconstruction using emergency procurement powers to get things done quickly. I cannot answer that question. 

The performance of some opposition members tells me the JLP will get a fourth term in parliament. While getting a fourth term is good for the JLP leaders, there are other things we need to address.

We need leaders in the public sector who are decisive and pragmatic, have strong personalities, and can get things done with little or no direction or intervention from our political leaders. They just need to follow government policies. Those who are undermining the government should pack their bags and go! When good leaders are missing, we tend to lean too much on our political leaders, and that can be problematic. Of course, I keep hearing about the bureaucracy that is aggravated by the procurement system. Who set up this procurement system? Let's fix it now!

This is Jamaica's last chance to get things right, or else I see a dark tunnel ahead. Some will say that dawg nyam wi supper. PM, we need some new political blood who are genuine leaders and new leaders in the public sector. Too many people only care for themselves. When I listen to our parliamentarians, too much time is spent on the "I" and not on the "We," the people. 

The Melissa reconstruction work must start now and not tomorrow. The next hurricane season is upon us.

I note the negative Auditor General's report in the media about ODPEM. Somebody needs to respond now to the public. Just sending out a press release alone will not work. A political leader is not the best person to respond at this time. We should also record a video response that can be shared on social media.

Mr PM, it cannot be business as usual. We need the best-qualified experts in the respective fields in the public sector to head entities. We need people who are best able to advise the political directorate on technical matters. This is even more important, especially after the impact of Hurricane Melissa. 

Editor's Note

The people are fast asleep, and we must wake up. This is not a time to tear down a government that was duly elected by the people last year, but we can ask them to make some changes NOW!

Auditor General: Hurricane Melissa Relief Initiative Report.

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Prime Minister Holness Extends Quarantine Period for Communities in St. Thomas and Clarendon

The Government has extended the quarantine and curfew measures for communities within the parishes of St. Thomas and Clarendon. 

The current measures will expire on Thursday, August 20.

The extended measures are in response to continued transmission of COVID-19 within St. Thomas and Clarendon. The measures will run for a further 14 days ending September 2.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement during a media briefing today.

Further to the announcement, the curfew orders for the parishes have also been increased from the current 11:00 pm to  5:00 am. The new curfew period will begin August 18 and will run from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am.

According to reports from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, some 89 persons tested positive for COVID-19, 45 of that number are within the parish of St. Thomas. In Clarendon 22 persons have tested positive for the virus. 

Additionally, the Government has placed a stop on all funeral services, weddings and public gatherings. 

However, burials with a maximum of 15 persons including the funeral directors will be allowed.

In the meantime, the Government has placed a number of communities in Kingston and St. Andrew under surveillance due to COVID-19 spread over the last two weeks. The communities are: 

1. Duhaney Park
2. Patrick Gardens
3. Pembroke Hall
4. Cooreville
5. New Haven
6. Half-way Tree
7. Hughenden
8. Arlene Gardens
9. Molynes Gardens
10. State Gardens
11. Zaidie Gardens
12. Constant Spring
13. Barbican
14. Meadowbrook
15. Havendale
16. Delacree Park
17. Olympic Gardens
18. Waltham Gardens

Prime Minister Holness underscored that the cases within these communities cannot be traced to either a confirmed local or imported case. 

“This fact indicates the possibility of spread in the communities and therefore requires that higher levels of surveillance will be conducted. During the coming weeks, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will therefore deploy more health officers to visit these communities to conduct community surveillance, community sensitization sessions and health promotion activities,” said Prime Minister Holness. 

The Prime Minister closed by encouraging the residents of the communities under surveillance to cooperate with the health officials upon their visit to conduct the necessary health inspection. 

He also noted that Nomination Day, set for tomorrow Tuesday August 18, will proceed with strict protocols. 

COVID-19 Announcement From The PM's Office

 

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  The Government has extended the quarantine and curfew measures for communities within the parishes of St. Thomas and Clarendon.  The current measures will expire on Thursday, August 20. The extended measures are in response to continued transmission of COVID-19 within St. Thomas and Clarendon. The measures will run for a further 14 days ending September 2. Prime Minister Andrew Holness made the announcement during a media briefing today. Further to the announcement, the curfew orders for the parishes have also been increased from the current 11:00 pm to  5:00 am. The new curfew period will begin August 18 and will run from 7:00 pm to 5:00 am. According to reports from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, some 89 persons tested positive for COVID-19, 45 of that number are within the parish of St. Thomas. In Clarendon 22 persons have tested positive for the virus.  Additionally, the Government has placed a stop on all funeral services, weddings and public gatherings.  However, burials with a maximum of 15 persons including the funeral directors will be allowed. In the meantime, the Government has placed a number of communities in Kingston and St. Andrew under surveillance due to COVID-19 spread over the last two weeks. The communities are:  Duhaney Park Patrick Gardens Pembroke Hall Cooreville New Haven Half-way Tree Hughenden Arlene Gardens Molynes Gardens State Gardens Zaidie Gardens Constant Spring Barbican Meadowbrook Havendale Delacree Park Olympic Gardens Waltham Gardens Prime Minister Holness underscored that the cases within these communities cannot be traced to either a confirmed local or imported case.  “This fact indicates the possibility of spread in the communities and therefore requires that higher levels of surveillance will be conducted. During the coming weeks, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will therefore deploy more health officers to visit these communities to conduct community surveillance, community sensitization sessions and health promotion activities,” said Prime Minister Holness.  The Prime Minister closed by encouraging the residents of the communities under surveillance to cooperate with the health officials upon their visit to conduct the necessary health inspection.  He also noted that Nomination Day, set for tomorrow Tuesday August 18, will proceed with strict protocols.  Note: At least one politican, Richard Creary the Mayor of Port Maria and one business man Christopher Dehring have tested positive for covid-19. We have to work together and fight together to stop this killer.                                                            Mayor Richard Creary

  

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NATIONAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM TO ROLL OUT JANUARY 2018 IN JAMAICA

KINGSTON, Oct. 10 (JIS):

Prime Minister Holness

 Prime Minister, the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, says the National Identification System (NIDS) is set to roll out in January 2018.

He said NIDS is expected to have a transformative effect on Jamaica, providing a comprehensive and secure structure to capture and store personal identity information for citizens and persons resident in the island.

The Prime Minister, who was addressing the Anti-Money Laundering/

Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Conference at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston today (October 10), informed that NIDS was the first item on the agenda for discussion at today’s meeting of the Cabinet.

He said that given all the processes involved in setting up the system, he recognises that the 2018 target date for it to be operational is ambitious, but achievable.

 Mr. Holness said the Government has identified the setting up of NIDS as a strategic priority. What is envisioned is a cradle-to-grave biometric identification system with a unique identification number being used for every Jamaican, with the appropriate anti-fraud features.

“This source of identification will be considered as conclusive for the purpose of customer due diligence, not only for banks but for all businesses which require customer identification and verification,” he pointed out.

Biometric and demographic information will be accessible through databases and computer networks, he added. “We must leverage every technological resource at our disposal to meet the demands of the global business environment. Government’s use of technology in regulation and compliance must be in step with international practices,” he said.

Mr. Holness noted further that NIDS will serve to eliminate some procedural steps and make compliance with AML/CFT regulations in the financial sector easier, while also leading to greater financial inclusion.

The NIDS project is being implemented by the Office of the Prime Minister, through funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and was allocated a sum of $14.98 billion this financial year for its continued development.

The project aims to establish a reliable identification system for Jamaicans and other nationals resident in the country, with a unique National Identification Number (NIN) as the primary key identifier of a person in the system.

NIDS has been in development since 2009 and will result in improved governance and management of social, economic and security programmes.

The two-day AML/CFT Conference is being hosted by the Jamaica Bankers Association (JBA) and the Jamaica Institute of Financial Services (JIFS), under the theme ‘Understanding Our Obligations… Safeguarding Our Future’.