Prime Minister Holness Marks Jamaica’s Progress as Poverty Drops Amid Global Uncertainty

Press Release From Office of The Prime Minister, May 22, 2025:

Prime Minister Holness with his Finance Minister, Fayval Williams.

"We have protected our people and grown our economy. We have proven that good governance and strong leadership make a difference." -Prime Minister Holness
 

Amidst global economic challenges, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Jamaica has emerged as a model of resilience and recovery, recording a 50% reduction in our national poverty rate between 2021 and 2023.

Prime Minister Holness addressed the nation on the historic milestone, underscoring the significance of this progress in a time of international hardship.

"We live in a world where poverty is rising in many regions, where post-pandemic recovery has stalled, and where inflation continues to stretch household incomes. Yet here in Jamaica, we have made real progress. We have protected our people and grown our economy. We have proven that good governance and strong leadership make a difference," the Prime Minister noted.

Prime Minister Holness also credited the coordinated efforts of government ministries, agencies, and community organizations who have worked to expand training, improve access to jobs, and widen the social safety network.

"This is a collective achievement. It belongs to the hard-working people of Jamaica who showed up, leaned in, and believed that better was possible. Our responsibility now is to protect these gains, deepen our efforts, and ensure that no one is left behind," said the Prime Minister.

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Have You Made Any Of These Errors?

 

The English language is a difficult language to learn and to speak. Many of us continue to struggle with this language. Our first language is patois and not English.

Today, I want to highlight some things that we say and do that are unusual.

Many leaders in society keep on using the phrase 'I would have' when it is not appropriate to do so. For example, the police or an educator will say, "I would have told the young man to stop". We are left uncertain about what was said to the young man.

We have picked up the practice from our friends of the north, who will say, for example, July 1st. We should say July 1, or 1st of July. The date is written  as July 1, 2025, or 1st of July, 2025.

I heard a doctor pronouncing the word 'violence'  /vo' o lence/ on the radio.

Many of us say /Saint An/ for St. Ann rather than /sint an/.

A classic one is to hear people say, "All protocols observed" when they are about to commence their speech. 

I keep asking the question, "Which protocol has been observed?" 

We all make errors, especially if we are nervous. There was a host who welcomed everyone at the National Heroes Park, including the members of the diplomatic /corps/ I understand that was the first time someone was recognizing the dead in welcoming the gathering.

There is the common one of dropping off our 'hs' at arbour Street and picking them up on Heast Street. We therefore say, "Can I hask you a question?" The Hinglish language is difficult.

Many of you should know by now that my name is spelt Derby, but it is pronounced Darby. Those with the name Derby and it is spelt Darby on their birth certificates, have to live with that one. We have backra massa names that come from Europe. We should use the European spelling.

Those who are unfortunate to have the name Smith end up being called, /simit/ 

We should all remember that Honourable is pronounced without the 'h'.

Now to the controversial one. Should it be Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness? My opinion is that the country's title should come first. You should not put a degree given by one institution in front of a national title. The PM, therefore, should be addressed as The Most Honourable, Dr. Andrew Holness. Mi no kear wah di experts dem wan' say. Mi a stick wid dat one. Jamaica House, follow me!

This one we are all guilty of. A friend told me that he kept on saying arm...arm..arm while speaking to his teacher. The teacher said to him, "How many arms do you have?" 

He replied, "arm...arm...arm...arm.....two, Sir. 

The teacher replied, "You have two arms...good." Cut out the others!

Please feel free to add your comments and let me know what you think. You might even think of other strange things that we do and say. Tell us about them.

No badda start aim fire at this article now :) Just come up with your own ideas. I want to see a couple ideas, and when I say couple, mi no mean ongle two!

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.

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Very Important Consumer Information and Consumer Reports

JPS

This is a report about a non-functioning streetlight. Click the audio link below to listen to the complaint.

The non-functioning street light is on Beverly Drive. George's Pen, Four Paths Clarendon, Pole #0138531.

Overgrown willow tree on JPS lines.

The picture above shows a willow tree that has grown into the JPS line in the same area.  The councillor for the area is Mr. Godfrey Knight.

Message From a Digicel Customer

The following message was received from a Digicel customer. The name has been removed from the message.

Good morning  Mr Derɓy I am asking for your help My name is  Mrs xxx xxxxx.  I live in Litchfield  in South  Trelawny  I am  a user of the digital Internet  about  a month  now as soon as it turns  7 o'clock I can't get to watch  the television  it just keeps  spinning  I have spoken to  others person's  that I know use the same Internet  and they are having the same problem  I don't  know who get in touch with  from  the day ps installed  I don't  see any one  come  to find out   if it is working or not.

Other Complaints About Digicel

The Digicel service was down for at least two days this month in some areas, and I have not seen any apology from the company. If bills are not paid on time, there is a penalty. Where is our compensation when there is no service?

The feature that allows you to go back at least two hours to view programmes does not work sometimes.

For over a year, one customer has been having problems with the Digicel App on the phone and that matter has just recently been resolved.

Ginger Beer

We grow ginger, yet we purchase ginger beer in bottles from the supermarkets. No price indicated for these drinks. This was seen in Mega Mart.

Oil from air fried chicken

I fried about five pieces of chicken in an air fryer, and you see the amount of oil in the above picture that came from the chicken. Can you imagine how much oil one consumes when one deep-fry one's chicken? We also purchase deep-fried chicken from fast-food places. We should not be shocked that when we go to the hospital these days, there is no space for us. We are consuming ourselves to death!

Cooked shrimp

These shrimps were seen in MegaMart. They are not tamper-proof sealed. Anyone can open these containers and take out a shrimp or two, and persons can add other things to the shrimp. We also have other items, such as shampoos, bread, and other products that are not tamper-proof. Do not purchase products that we eat or use on our bodies, for example, that are not tamper-proof. It is a major risk we are taking.

River cum dung

Watch above video carefully and learn. Never ignore information given by people living in an area. If yu can' hear yu wi feel.

This truck fell in a soft area on the road.

Click on the icon below to listen to the report.

My understanding is that if work was done on the road and an area was left incomplete, then the truck owner could claim damages. I would love to hear what the lawyers think.

Your Credit and Bank Card

If your credit card and your bank card numbers are on the top of the cards, check your bank immediately. Tell them you want cards with the numbers on the back. You will notice that at the supermarket, people are literally standing under your arm at the cashier. Some of them do so to capture your credit and debit card numbers on the top of the cards. they can then use the numbers to make online purchases. One can use miniature cameras to capture when someone is entering their pin and also capture their card number. Let other customers respect your space when you are doing business with the cashier.

Editor

I would love to get comments from our health professionals, medical professionals, and others. Your comments help me build cases.

This is very important information, so please share it with your friends. They will appreciate this gesture.

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You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.

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Breaking News - Fire At Sherwin-Williams

I just received a report of an explosion close to Wisynco and another report of a big fire at Sherwin-Williams in White Marl.

If you are in the area and you have any information, please WhatsApp it to 876 816-5261.

The Fire Chief, Commissioner Stewart Beckford, or someone else from the Fire Brigade, will give us more information. Commissioner Beckford is always willing to share information.

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.

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Jamaica's Poverty Rate is at a Historic Low!

  Press Release From The Office of The Prime Minister, May 21, 2025:

Prime Minister Andrew Holness

The Government of Jamaica welcomes Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) and Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN) findings that Jamaica has achieved a historic low incidence of poverty at 8.2%, marking a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for all Jamaicans. This reflects the lowest incidence of poverty since measurement began in 1989.

According to the PIOJ in a press conference earlier today, the national poverty rate has been halved, falling from 16.7% in 2021 to 8.2% in 2023. This significant decline reflects the Administration’s continued success in the delivery of targeted social investment programmes, expanded job creation initiatives, and prudent macroeconomic management under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. The Most Honourable Andrew Holness.

In response to the achievement, Prime Minister Holness stated: “This remarkable reduction in poverty is a direct result of our deliberate policies aimed at empowering Jamaicans through economic opportunity, education, skills training and social support. We have stabilised the economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, and now we have created an environment where more Jamaicans are participating in economic activity and moving towards true independence.”

The announcement comes at a time when many countries are facing economic uncertainty due to global disruptions. Notwithstanding these external challenges, Jamaica’s economy is estimated to have grown in the first quarter of 2025, driven by resilience in key sectors as well as the continuation of fiscal discipline and investment in our people.

Prime Minister Holness reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to building a stronger, more inclusive Jamaica: “While we celebrate this historic achievement, we recognise that there is more work to be done. Our mission is to ensure that every Jamaican, especially our most vulnerable, has access to opportunities and pathways to prosperity. My Administration will continue to make the right policy decisions. We will continue to invest in our people and our institutions to secure a brighter future for every Jamaican.”

The Government remains focused on strengthening the social safety net and driving sustainable economic growth.

Audio from Prime Minister Holness: 

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Remember that Bark Di Trute could fail to bark one day without your support. Send your ideas, stories, and news by WhatsApp at (876) 816-5261.

You can view the blog on your computer at https://vderby.blogspot.com, and you will be able to see the various links. For example, there is a link that takes you to the calendar so you can see what is happening on the weekend. You can even search the site for articles.

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