Prime Minister Andrew Holness acknowledged the burden of rising costs on Jamaicans, emphasising his government’s understanding of the struggles with food, electricity, and basic amenities. In his New Year address, he reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to balancing economic stability with addressing the cost-of-living crisis, pledging infrastructure investments, housing developments, and support for community roads to ease challenges faced by citizens.

Election watch

Holness, Golding set stage for pulsating polls in New Year messages

Jamaica Gleaner/1 Jan 2025/Editorial@gleanerjm.com

PRIME MINISTER Dr Andrew Holness and Opposition Leader Mark Golding opened the new year in campaign mode, differing on the direction of the country in messages that sought to cultivate support in what is expected to be an intense election year.

Calling this year a “pivotal chapter” in a larger journey towards a Jamaica that is “affordable for all, safe, efficient, productive, caring and peaceful”, Holness said his administration has repeatedly demonstrated why it is this Government that is suited for office.

“I know you understand the importance of reducing debt, keeping the exchange rate stable by having strong reserves, and managing the fiscal affair of the country to avoid profligate spending,” Holness said in his new year address to Jamaicans.

His administration has seen significant gains in the economy with unemployment at its lowest in Jamaica’s history at 3.6 per cent, inflation within the targeted band of four per cent to six per cent, interest rates steadily declining, a stable dollar and the debt-to-gdp ratio set to fall below 70 per cent – the lowest in more than 30 years.

The Government has also continued to make steady inroads with infrastructure development amid highway construction and extensions, water supply connections, broadband expansion, housing, hospitals, health centres, police stations, and fire stations upgrades, and at least one new urban centre.

Holness said serious crimes are down approximately 14 per cent with murders down by approximately18 per cent, marking the second consecutive year of reduction.

Added to that, he said Jamaica’s social safety net programmes have seen significant increases in resources of up to 30 per cent targeted at the most vulnerable; minimum wage has doubled and there has been a further increase in the income tax threshold. That was followed by the Government’s reverse tax credit giveback in addition to increased salaries for public sector workers, costing over $200 billion.

INCREASING COST OF LIVING

Still, he has faced a decline in both his and the Government’s popularity, with several opinion polls indicating that the country is headed in the wrong direction, as well as leads for the Opposition outside of margins of error.

That has been largely fuelled by an increasing cost of living, a challenge Holness noted that even larger economies are facing.

Holness said his Government’s achievements are “phenomenal and uncontestable” but do not negate the feeling and realities of many Jamaicans who have suffered through the global spike in inflation for the last three years due to the COVID pandemic and the supply chain shock.

The prime minister acknowledged that food, electricity, transportation, medication and basic amenities have become unaffordable for many, mentioning that he hears Jamaicans’ cry regarding the cost of living.

“I want you to know that the Government understands that you want your community roads fixed, water brought to your home, affordable prices for basic items and progressive wages, peace and security in your communities and decent social services,” he said.

“There is a delicate balance which must be carefully managed, and my administration has demonstrated time and time again through crises and shocks, and time of stability that we are the best Government at managing the economy and delivering the needs of the people,” he added.

Looking ahead, he said the Government will invest, this year, close to $1 billion on capital infrastructure in storage facilities across

across the country for farmers.

He said the National Housing Trust has been mandated to build 43,000 housing starts for Jamaicans by 2027. Holness said 5,081 units are currently under construction and contracts have been awarded for 10,515 units which are slated to come on stream this year. A further 14,260 units are in procurement and negotiation, he said.

Further, he pointed to the Government’s $45-billion SPARK programme, which officially got under way on Monday. SPARK is to cover the repair of more than 600 community roads. This is in addition to the REACH programme and the additional $2-billion road network repair programme.

“As we embark on the next chapter in Jamaica’s journey, I reaffirm my administration’s unwavering commitment to continue serving the people of Jamaica. There is still much work to be done, and we know how to get it done well,” he said.

Golding has, however, declared that “by all accounts” his party will not be in opposition for long, noting that ahead of the constitutionally due general election, by September of this year, his team “will continue to consult with and engage the people, bringing forward our vision for a better Jamaica and championing the causes that matter deeply to you”.

He pointed to “finding creative” ways to cushion what he called the crisis of the high cost of living from which the people are suffering.

Golding said a government he leads will improve the systems of education and training for Jamaican children and youths to build a productive and globally competitive workforce at all levels.

He said stronger actions will be taken against corruption and holding accountable those who violate the public trust by scraping public resources for private benefit.

The opposition leader said more effective strategies will be implemented for reducing violent crime and improving the experience and outcomes for people seeking healthcare in public hospitals.

He is also promising to bring down the price of electricity which, he said, is a national imperative for driving economic growth; and to make bureaucracy more efficient so that Jamaica is an easy and welcoming place to invest and do business.

Golding said ahead of an anticipated “intense” political climate the nation’s leaders must set an example, by word and deed, that there is no place for violence and intimidation in the country’s political affairs.

He said Jamaica’s leaders must ensure that there is no repetition of the “offensive and divisive rhetoric” which sometimes soiled national discourse in 2024, arguing that it offends the spirit of One Love and violates the ideals of togetherness embraced in Jamaica’s motto — Out of Many, One People.

“The police must conduct themselves with absolute professionalism. The nation is relying on you to reject partisanship in the conduct of your duty to serve and protect all Jamaicans,” he urged.

Golding said “for the remaining period” in opposition, his team will continue to perform its national duty of “vigilantly holding the Government to account and defending the Constitution from any machinations which violate the principles of good governance and erode the rights of our people”.

On the matter of constitutional reform, he said the Opposition’s position remains for full decolonisation with the simultaneous removal of King Charles as head of state and the Privy Council as Jamaica’s apex court.

“We will not support a piecemeal approach to delinking from the UK monarchy. We will not support a mechanism for appointing the nation’s president which would allow the ruling party to install someone who does not enjoy the trust and confidence of all.

“We believe that mechanisms for more democratic, participatory, transparent and accountable governance should be included in the reform measures, including the mechanism of impeachment, which has long been a point of bipartisan agreement and continues to enjoy strong support among the Jamaican people”.

 

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