KINGSTON, Jamaica — National Security Minister Robert Montague yesterday hosted Chairman of the People’s National Party (PNP) Robert Pickersgill and General Secretary, Julian Robinson, at the ministry’s Oxford Road office in a meeting intended to brief the two men on national crime management strategies and security initiatives.

In a release, the ministry said that the PNP representatives were briefed on activities being carried out by the ministry, its departments and agencies.

Montague reportedly told attendees at the meeting, “This Government is committed to taking a collaborative approach to combating the crime problem and this is why we have invited the PNP to the table as they are a major national institution.”

The security boss added that the meeting was part of consultative efforts with various sectors and was designed to give the Opposition a full briefing on what is being done within the ministry.

He said that the PNP team was briefed within the context of the Government’s five-pillar strategy: effective policing, swift and sure justice, situational prevention, crime prevention through social development, and rehabilitation and redemption.

Commenting on the outcome of the meeting, Pickersgill said that, “The meeting was productive. It was good to hear from the senior officers within the Ministry of National Security of plans, the progress being made on these plans and the future. I am very impressed. I look forward to seeing the plans especially for social development unfold because I believe that this is at the root of the crime problem, as well as, the approach to the swift and sure justice pillar.”

Addressing recent calls for Montague’s resignation, Pickersgill said, “I am not one to blame the minister and call for resignations. We blame the minister when things are not going well but when things are going well we don’t praise him. Changing the minister of national security will not resolve the crime problem.”

Montague, joining Robinson in describing the meeting as a good one, said, “while there will be differences, and we won’t see eye to eye all the time, we have enough for collaboration and work together to create a safer and more prosperous Jamaica.”