Andrew Holness Is PM Of Jamaica Again

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen (left), presents the Instrument of Appointment to Prime Minister, Most Hon. Andrew Holness, during Thursday’s (March 3) swearing in ceremony, at King’s House. Looking on is the Governor-General’s Aide-de-Camp (ADC), Captain Fenekie Rowe. (JIS Image)

By NAN Contributor

News Americas, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Fri. Mar. 4, 2016: Jamaica Labor Party’s Andrew Holness yesterday again took the oath of Prime Minister of Jamaica, making him the country’s youngest leader again.

Holness, who served as the ninth PM from October 23, 2011 to January 5, 2012, was on Thursday, Mar. 3rd, again sworn in as prime minister, a week after voters went to the polls.

Holness, at age 43, remains the youngest person to be installed as Jamaica’s Prime Minister, since the country gained political independence in 1962. He was 39 at the time of his initial appointment in 2011.

PM Holness “pledged to serve the people of Jamaica faithfully, with all of my energies, all of my heart, mind and soul” and said it is with a “deep sense of gratitude, honor and humility” that he took  the Oath of Office, “fully conscious of the magnitude of expectations and responsibility I have assumed.”

But he said he is “equally energized and optimistic about a prosperous future for Jamaica.”

Paying tribute to former PM Portia Simpson Miller’s stewardship as Prime Minister, Holness hailed her “long and dedicated service to Jamaica” while noting that “we may not have been on the same side of the road (but) as much as possible, we should hold hands in cooperation to overcome obstacles for the good of the country.”

Holness was also invested with the Order of the Nation (ON) by the Chief Justice and Chancellor of the ON, Hon. Justice Zaila McCalla, which formally accords him the title of ‘Most Honourable.’

A wide cross-section of persons, including dignitaries, officials, and other guests, were on hand to witness the transition.The ceremony also featured musical presentations by gospel recording artiste, Chevelle Franklyn; vocalists,  Ana Strachan and Nesbeth; and Saxophonist,  Nicholas Laraque.

The JLP holds only  a none seat majority with 32 seats in the National Assembly compared to the Peoples National Party (PNP) 31. The PNP closed the gap following a recount earlier this week that delayed the finalizing of the election results by almost a week.