Tag: Office of the Prime Minister

A fire at the historic Hunts Bay Jewish Cemetery highlights negligence for Jamaica’s cultural heritage

August 9, 2022

There are some Jamaican habits and attitudes that make me very sad. I am very late in reporting this* First of all, let me tell you about the fire at Hunts Bay Cemetery, which exemplifies two aspects of Jamaican life that I find depressing. *(This summer has turned my life a little upside down, or … More A fire at the historic Hunts Bay Jewish Cemetery highlights negligence for Jamaica’s cultural heritage

The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues in Jamaica

February 11, 2022

It has not been a good week; not for the environment (permits were issued for the mining in Cockpit Country to go ahead) – or for human rights. On Wednesday, February 9, after a wait of around seven months, our Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Paula Llewellyn announced that she is recommending that no criminal … More The ruling on Nzinga King raises long-standing discrimination issues in Jamaica

Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones

January 29, 2022

Dr. Lucien Jones is Vice Chair and Convenor of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), which is chaired by Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Dr. Jones must sometimes feel like a voice crying in the wilderness, on the terrible numbers of Jamaicans (close to 500 last year!) killed on our roads – but he never gives … More Road Safety in Jamaica – Can “something dramatic happen”? A letter to the nation from Dr. Lucien Jones

Citizens Associations call for Moratorium on High Density Developments in Low Density Communities

January 26, 2022

It has become a nightmare in many areas of uptown Kingston. Many of our old single-family homes have been torn down, to be replaced with cold, ugly high-rise apartment blocks, squeezed into small spaces. And no. This is not just about upset, better-off citizens who are seeing their once quiet, green neighborhoods transformed almost overnight … More Citizens Associations call for Moratorium on High Density Developments in Low Density Communities

Jamaica’s private sector calls for transparency, adherence to rules in Bengal mining plans at Puerto Bueno

January 22, 2022

Today, the Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) expressed concern in a press release today about what seems to be a volte face by the Prime Minister on the matter of mining permits for the Bengal area of St. Ann (Puerto Bueno or Dry Harbour Mountain), which for a while appeared to have been abandoned … More Jamaica’s private sector calls for transparency, adherence to rules in Bengal mining plans at Puerto Bueno

The environment AND climate change: shuffled out in the Jamaican Government’s “reshuffle”

January 17, 2022

Apart from the collective “meh” among most Jamaicans that greeted the Prime Minister’s “Cabinet reshuffle” announced a few days ago, one thing struck me immediately. Where has the Ministry of Housing, Urban Renewal, Environment and Climate Change gone? It seemed to be settling down a little, under the leadership of Minister Pearnel Charles, Jr., who … More The environment AND climate change: shuffled out in the Jamaican Government’s “reshuffle”

WARE Collective’s Virtual Art Auction to support Jamaica’s unique architectural heritage

October 4, 2021

For me, there is a strong connection between preserving and protecting our cultural traditions and history and environmental conservation. In Jamaica, we are not very good at either. One example is the continued deterioration of the Vale Royal building in St. Andrew, which is the responsibility of the Office of the Prime Minister. The late … More WARE Collective’s Virtual Art Auction to support Jamaica’s unique architectural heritage

Streets for Life: UN Global Road Safety Week kicks off with a plea for lower speeds

May 18, 2021

For People and Planet. The theme of the United Nations’ sixth Global Road Safety Week is #StreetsforLife. The week started today (May 17) and will continue until Sunday, May 23. The week also represents the launch of a new Decade of Action for Road Safety to achieve the Global Goals. Do watch the official launch … More Streets for Life: UN Global Road Safety Week kicks off with a plea for lower speeds

PM Holness, NEPA, KSAMC, NWA – Is Anyone Listening? Communities’ calls for Green, People-Friendly Urban Planning Go Unanswered

May 2, 2021

I wrote recently about the “uglification” of Kingston. While downtown Kingston is (thankfully) getting some of the attention it deserves, further uptown it’s a developer’s paradise, a free for all. This article from the Golden Triangle Neighbourhood Association – which represents everyone who lives, works, or does business in the area – points out that … More PM Holness, NEPA, KSAMC, NWA – Is Anyone Listening? Communities’ calls for Green, People-Friendly Urban Planning Go Unanswered