Ahead of the inauguration of Andrew Holness as Prime Minister, The Gleaner/Power 106 News Centre looks back on when he first took the oath of office almost five years ago.

[OATH]

The last time Holness had to make an inauguration speech, it took him almost one hour to say what he wanted to.

He was taking over from Bruce Golding, who had stepped aside amid questions about his leadership, and the country was in the middle of an International Monetary Fund Programme, which had run off course.

Addressing guests who had gathered at King’s House to see him take the reins of the country, Holness said he was cognizant of the awesome responsibility that he had just assumed and vowed to do his best:

[31]

On the matter of the economy, Holness said Jamaica’s potential for prosperity had not yet been realised.

He said a lack of fiscal discipline was the greatest injustice perpetrated on Jamaicans by successive governments over the years.

[32]

Holness also shared his vision for dismantling Jamaica’s political garrisons.

Holness said Jamaicans should live in a free and fair political environment and he invited People’s National Party president, Portia Simpson Miller on a tour of garrisons in both their constituencies:

[33]

Simpson Miller did not take up the offer.

Holness, also did not get a chance to live up to his inaugural address, as Jamaicans voted him and the Jamaica Labour Party out of office in a little over two months later.