PRIME Minister Andrew Holness on Monday met with permanent secretaries and heads of government agencies to update them on plans to implement the Zones of Special Operations.

The zones of special operations Act, which was signed into law on July 14, 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.

A Jamaica House release said the prime minister outlined the roles of the various ministries, departments, and agencies in the implementation of the security plan, particularly with respect to the social intervention component.

“The Government is treating national security as its priority,” the release quoted Holness, who told the meeting that once a zone is declared the government ministries, departments, and agencies must make the needs of the zone their priority.

The release said Holness told the civil servants that the special zones will have a joint operational command between the JCF and the JDF and 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,” said the prime minister.

Government, he added, is prepared to deal with priority procurement matters pertaining to the zones as a matter of urgency.