Independence Day Message 2024 Prime Minister the Most Hon Andrew Holness, ON, PC, MP
Proposed Theme: Jamaica to the World, 62 Years of Records and Achievements
Gather together, brothers and sisters, we are independent!
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Today I have the great honour, of wishing my fellow Jamaican brothers and sisters a very Happy 62nd Independence Day! This year the Olympics coincide with our celebrations. On behalf of all Jamaicans, I take this moment to recognize the Jamaican Olympic Team and honour athletes who have been making us proud on the world stage, even before we were an independent nation. I know our athletes continue the great tradition of giving of their best in competition, making us all proud of their accomplishment draped in our flag.
As we begin the festivities against the backdrop of a hurricane, we must be mindful that many Jamaicans across the island have been significantly affected and may not be able to enjoy the celebrations as usual.
We the God-fearing people of Jamaica, give thanks that we were spared the catastrophe of a direct hit from Hurricane Beryl. As a caring nation and government, we are sensitive to the needs and displacement of those worst affected, and we stand in meaningful solidarity with our brothers and sisters who have lost their houses, their roofs, their livelihoods or are without electricity and water currently. While the relief and recovery effort has been generally quick and effective, we are sensitive to the hardships that some areas continue to experience while the recovery is underway. Alongside the government’s significant provision of relief and care support, I have witnessed a tremendous outpouring of local relief initiatives. I want to recognize and thank all our local corporate, religious, civic entities and private individuals who have organized relief packages and support for our brothers and sisters affected by the Hurricane. Our diaspora has also been active along with the international and multilateral community in supporting Jamaica’s relief effort and I want to thank them as well.
As we scale up our efforts in the recovery phase, your government has so far allocated over JA$5billion to the relief, recovery and reconstruction effort, of which JA$1billion will assist households in the form of grants of $400,000.00 for destroyed houses, $150,000 for major damage, and $50,000 for minor damage.
We understand the urgency of the situation and we have already begun disbursing the grants to ensure that persons affected can start rebuilding their lives and livelihood.
The Ministry of Education and Youth has already started to repair schools that were damaged to ensure that most schools will be able to reopen on time for the beginning of the school year.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is also fully mobilized to assist our farmers and fishers restart their production.
The government is not satisfied with the pace at which electricity is being returned to some communities by the utility provider. The government and the Office of the Utilities Regulation (OUR) will continue to hold JPS to account for the expected service standards all Jamaicans deserve. Notwithstanding that we are in the best position ever to respond to and recover from shocks and disasters, there are still areas in which we must continue to build our resilience. Your government will shortly appoint a committee to review Jamaica’s overall response mechanism to natural disasters and make suggestions for strengthening.
While we celebrate our freedom as a people and independence as a nation, we must consider the meaning of freedom and independence, as they are not without obligations and responsibility. We must also consider the global political and environmental context in which we exercise our freedom and independence. We are a small island developing state with an open economy, in a highly connected world, where an economic shock such as;
a disruption in supply chain causing global inflation,
a political shock such as a war in the Ukraine,
a health shock such as the COVID-19 pandemic, or
a technology shock such as an internet block-out, generated elsewhere in some other part of the world,
has immediate impact on lives of Jamaicans locally.
These shocks are compounded by the phenomenon of Climate Change, which refers to long-term changes in the average weather patterns that define our local, regional, and global climates driven by human consumption and production activities. Among the observable long-term changes in the climate is the rise in temperature. The hottest day ever recorded on Earth was on July 22, 2024. This extreme heat is part of a broader trend of rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. The hottest day ever recorded in the history of Jamaica was in June 2019, and in the last decade we have seen increased variability in our rainfall patterns, creating longer and more severe droughts, and periods of more intense rainfall, over and above the design capacity of our drainage systems leading to flooding.
However, the greatest danger for Jamaica is the increased frequency of severe weather events like hurricanes having serious physical and economic impacts even when they do not hit directly. Almost every year for the last eight years we have been faced with global crises, including a pandemic, and extreme weather events that have seriously affected our island. We must all develop the understanding that we live in an era where governments must deal with multiple crises, which overlap and occur frequently. These crises have the potential to displace communities, disrupt growth, compound debt, and increase poverty. For example, in 2009 Jamaica was impacted by a global recession, it impacted our growth and employment, and increased our debt. It took us 10 years to recover our GDP to 2009 levels.
In 2020 Jamaica was impacted by a global pandemic which derailed our growth and employment and increased our debt. Within 2 years Jamaica had recovered its growth and employment and was back on track with reducing its debt. This is not by accident.
This is by the deliberate design and hard work of my Administration to build resilience in the Jamaican Government by structuring our financial, economic, security and civil preparedness affairs to be able to withstand shocks, recover faster, and rebuild stronger from crises.
We have built a new system of government that is more robust, self-reliant, and strategic. In fact, that is what it means to be independent; the ability to withstand shocks, and deal with crises without having to rely or be dependent on the resources of others or be indebted to others. At 62, Jamaica must be able to stand on its own two feet and face the challenges and uncertainties of this era of globalized world and the changing climate.
Some Jamaicans may not see this as important or make the connection between the global crises and the local challenges of their daily lives such as:
domestic water supply to your home,
garbage collection in your community,
conditions of roads,
public transportation,
healthcare,
and affordable and healthy food.
The truth is that in the past we would have diverted resources and borrowed resources to deal with the impact of external shocks, whether economic shocks, political shocks or weather-related shocks. We had no reserves and fiscal buffers. This meant that unplanned external shocks and crises disrupted planned capital expenditure in public goods such as roads in your town, water to your homes, solid-waste collection in your community and facilities in healthcare.
Take a moment to consider, all the multiple, frequent and overlapping crises we have faced in the last 8 years, from multiple frequent and severe weather events, droughts, floodings, hurricanes, which overlapped with health crises such as the Dengue outbreaks, and the COVID-19 Pandemic which spanned a global inflationary crisis.
Jamaica was able to respond swiftly with various social expenditure such as the CARE programme where 350,000 Jamaicans received grants to cushion the economic fallout of the Pandemic, or the provision of subsidy for electricity to cushion inflationary impact of energy supply disruption globally, and now the swift deployment of Hurricane Beryl rebuilding grants.
However, while doing all this we have been able to continue with our capital investment programme:
We continue to invest in garbage trucks, over a 100 purchased so far and more to come, to improve garbage collection in your communities.
We recently bought 100 new buses to be deployed in time for back to school to ease transportation woes.
The SPARK programme is underway to begin the process of fixing your community roads.
New hospitals and health facilities are being constructed as I speak.
Almost every month a new water system is ready for commissioning.
We are steadily upgrading the JCF and the JDF with new buildings, technologies, ships and vehicles to make our country safe.
We are building new parks, town centres and housing schemes to create a better living environment for our people.
We cannot rebuild Jamaica in a day, but Jamaica cannot be rebuilt if we do not have a long period of uninterrupted public investment.
My Administration, your government, has finally solved this problem of disrupted long-term capital investments in public goods which has left our infrastructure in its current state. It is now time to pivot focus to the next challenge for us as a free people and independent country, which is to address productivity and peace in our country.
Productivity and peace are necessary to increase growth and reduce the cost of living.
My administration has granted the largest increases in the wage level of the public service and generally with commensurate increases in the minimum wage, however, we know that this is an incomplete and unsustainable response to the cost of living, without meaningfully addressing rate of our output. This will require further restructuring of our economy and institutions, better training of our labour, more innovation, digitalization, and deeper integration of technology among other strategies. However, the most important action towards greater productivity and peace is a mindset change, to create a social and moral value around productivity and peace in our culture. Just as we are proud to be known as the fastest and most creative people, we must build a culture around being the most peaceful society and productive economy in the world. These issues are fundamental to our nation and sustainability.
In the powerful and immortal words of our first Prime Minister, Sir Alexander Bustamante, ‘Let us resolve to work together … to build a Jamaica which will last and of which we and the generations to follow may be proud.”
“Jamaica 62: One Love to the World, I love you, Happy Independence Day and may God continue to bless Jamaica, land we so deeply love.
His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen – Governor General Independence Day Message
My Fellow Jamaicans at Home and in the Diaspora,
Today, we stand united, not just here at home, but across the globe where our vibrant diaspora proudly gathers to celebrate our Independence. Sixty-two years ago, our forebears embarked on a journey of self-determination and hope, aspiring to create a resilient and strong Jamaica, capable of shaping its destiny with courage and conviction.
As we reflect on that historic moment of August 6, 1962, we honor the vision and sacrifices of those who labored before us. Their enduring dreams outlived their lifetimes and laid the foundation for subsequent generations. Our nation stands as a testament to those dreams and aspirations, evidenced by our thriving industries, advancements in education and healthcare, and the continuous flourishing of our cultural heritage. These accomplishments are the fruits of their labor and dreams realized.
Our strength lies in our people—in their indomitable spirit, creativity, and resilience. These attributes continue to propel us forward, transforming obstacles into opportunities and dreams into realities. Our journey, however, has not been without its challenges. We have faced storms, both literal and metaphorical, but each time we rise, more determined and united.
The recent passage of Hurricane Beryl has left lingering effects, which have been worse for some than for others. Our people, both locally and in the diaspora, are rallying around those affected, offering support in these difficult times. That is the spirit, the true spirit of Jamaica, and for this, we say thank you.
Our world is evolving, providing opportunities for our nation to develop even further. We must embrace the possibilities of technology, sustainable development, and global partnerships with the same fervour and determination that marked our independence in 1962. Our priority must be to innovate, educate, and build a society where every citizen can thrive.
We are immensely grateful to our Olympians, who continue to make us proud on the world stage. You are the true definition of “Wi likkle but wi tallawah.” All the best in the days ahead and know that you have the unwavering support of a grateful nation.
Together, let us forge forward in a way that honors our past and capitalizes on the possibilities available to us. Let us continue to build a strong nation that remains a beacon of hope, progress, and unity for all.
Happy Independence, and may God bless you… and Jamaica land we love.
CARICOM SG Lauds Jamaica on 62nd Independence Anniversary
As Jamaica prepares to celebrate its Sixty-Second Anniversary of Independence on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett stated that the country continues to be a leading voice in international affairs, setting a standard of excellence in sports, music, and the arts and inspiring millions around the world.
In a message congratulating Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Dr. Barnett praised the country’s substantial leadership role in regional integration and development.
Jamaica is commemorating this year’s Independence Day with the theme “Jamaica 62: One Love to the World”.
The Secretary-General described it as “a fitting expression and reflection of Jamaica’s indelible contributions to the Community and profound global impact.”
The full message reads as follows:
“Prime Minister,
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) congratulates the Government and People of Jamaica on the country’s Sixty-Second Anniversary of Independence, being celebrated under the theme “Jamaica 62: One Love to the World”.
This year’s theme is a fitting expression and reflection of Jamaica’s indelible contributions to the Community and profound global impact. Indeed, Jamaica continues to provide a leading voice in international affairs, and has set a standard of excellence in sports, music and the arts, inspiring millions worldwide.
As a Founding Member of CARICOM, Jamaica continues to play a significant leadership role in our pursuit of regional integration and development. This has been demonstrated through diplomacy, international trade, and advocacy on several issues of importance in the critical area of external trade negotiations, for which you, Prime Minister, hold lead responsibility in CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet of Heads of Government. Likewise, we recognise Jamaica’s unwavering support to our sister nation, Haiti, as it charts its path to peace and stability.
Prime Minister, the Caribbean Community continues to stand in solidarity with Jamaica, as communities across the island seek to rebuild following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Beryl.
As Jamaicans unite to celebrate with just pride on this Sixty-Second Anniversary of Independence, we commend your achievements and look forward to continued collaboration towards a stronger, more peaceful and more prosperous future.”
