KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness today met with permanent secretaries and heads of agencies across Government to emphasise the necessity for an all of government approach to the requirements set out in the special zones bill.

The discussion was centred on the roles of the various ministries, drpartments and agencies (MDAs) in the implementation, particularly with respect to the social intervention component, according to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM).

 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 provides for special security measures in high crime areas while simultaneously ensuring social intervention and community development.

Holness gave an extensive address during the meeting held at the OPM where he stressed that “The Government is treating national security as its priority”.

He indicated to the meeting that once a zone is declared, the MDAs must make the needs of the zone their priority.

Holness reminded the meeting that zones will have a joint operational command between the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the Jamaica Defense Force (JDF) that the social intervention committee will be established within five days of the zone being declared.  “Critically, the Government must provide the social services once the area has been cleared and normalised 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 urgency.