Prime Minister Meets with Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies to Outline Operations of Special Zones

Prime Minister Andrew Holness on July 31 met with Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Agencies across Government to update them on plans to implement the Zones of Special Operations.

The Law Reform (Zone of Special Operations) (Special Security and Community Development Measures) Bill was signed into law on Friday, July 14.

The Zones of Special Operations Act gives members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force, JCF, and the Jamaica Defence Force, JDF, certain powers to address serious crimes in high crime zones while upholding the rule of law and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens.

Prime Minister Holness gave an extensive address during the meeting held at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

Mr Holness outlined that matters of procurement must be treated as priority, once the matter involves an area designated a Zone of Special Operation.

“The Government is treating national security as a priority. I must stress that Zones will be a joint operation command between the JCF and the JDF. Critically, the Government must provide the social services once the area has been cleared and normalized so we can go in with the social services to rebuild a secure community,” explained the prime minister.

He said the Government and Cabinet are prepared to deal with priority procurement matters pertaining to the Zones as a matter of emergency.