Simpson Miller: “Put Jamaicans First”

By: - January 18th, 2012

Above: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller being sworn into Parliament yesterday (OPM Jamaica)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Jamaica’s Members of Parliament are servants of the people and they should not betray the trust placed in them, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller said at her new government’s swearing-in yesterday.

“We should count it a great honor to have been chosen by the people of Jamaica to occupy this important place in the affairs of our nation,” she said. “The people of this nation have reposed their trust and confidence in us, and we will work assiduously in these very challenging economic times to live up to that trust and protect the rights and interests of the Jamaican people.”

Simpson Miller, whose People’s National Party swept into power in a landslide victory on Dec. 29, said that the fact that Jamaica celebrates the jubilee anniversary of its independence makes the task of the country’s leaders even more important.

“We must be ‘change makers’ and purpose-driven leaders, who focus on the people and their concerns,” she said. “We must inspire trust; we must do what is right and what is good.”

Jamaica

Jamaica Swears in New Lawmakers, Chooses Speaker of the House

Above: Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller and Speaker of the House Michael Peart By the Caribbean Journal staff Jamaica’s 63 new MPs were sworn in today at the opening of the new session of Parliament at Kingston’s Gordon House. MP Michael Peart was chosen as the Speaker of the House of Representatives, while MP Lloyd […]

Jamaica

Triple Jumper Samyr Laine Dreams of Olympic Glory for Haiti

By Alexander Britell It was 1928 when Haiti’s Silvio Cator won a silver medal in the men’s long jump at the Amsterdam Olympics (his name now graces a stadium in Port-au-Prince). While Haitian athletes have competed in 11 Olympic Games since, including in Beijing in 2008, a medal has eluded them. But if triple jumper […]

Jamaica

Trinidad, St Lucia Talk ICT Education

Above: Trinidad Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh with laptops that are part of the eCal programme (Photo: MOE) By the Caribbean Journal staff St Lucia Education Minister Dr Robert Lewis and Trinidad and Tobago Education Minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh met today to focus on issues of education in the two countries. The visit took place […]


Op-Ed: Kingston, Washington and the Way Forward for Jamaica

By David P Rowe Op-Ed Contributor The first priority for Jamaica’s Portia Simpson-Miller administration should be to consolidate and improve its bilateral relationship with the United States. It should be made clear at the highest levels that Jamaica intends to comply with its treaty obligations. A treaty is not only a law but is also […]

St Vincent to Hold Women's Congress

By the Caribbean Journal staff A major congress in St Vincent and the Grenadines will look at the role of women in the country’s national development and how to provide for their voices to be heard. “Women Rising, Crisis and Response: Women as Agents of Change,” will look at the concerns of rural women, the […]

Jamaican Government "Committed" to Policy of Low Interest Rates, Low Inflation

By David P Rowe Op-Ed Contributor The first priority for Jamaica’s Portia Simpson-Miller administration should be to consolidate and improve its bilateral relationship with the United States. It should be made clear at the highest levels that Jamaica intends to comply with its treaty obligations. A treaty is not only a law but is also […]

A Revival for Jamaican Manufacturing?

Above: Industry Minister Anthony Hylton By the Caribbean Journal staff Manufacturing is a “major area of growth potential” for Jamaica, and it will regain its status as a critical driver of growth, according to Industry Minister Anthony Hylton. Manufacturing is a “key part of industry to attract investments, earn foreign exchange and generate employment,” said […]