“I want to be clear that when it comes to development, development has no colour. Every Jamaican has an equal claim to the country’s tax revenues.”– Prime Minister Andrew Holness
Prime Minister Dr. the Most Honourable Andrew Holness has reinforced the Government’s commitment to fair, inclusive, and people-centred development, ensuring that every Jamaican benefits equally from national progress as transformation continues in communities across the island.
The Prime Minister has made it clear that development under his Administration is guided by equity and national unity, not political affiliation.
Speaking today (April 24, 2026) at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in the Hills of Spicy Grove, St. Mary, the Prime Minister emphasized that taxpayer resources belong to all Jamaicans and must be used to improve lives across every community.
“I want to be clear that when it comes to development, development has no colour. Every Jamaican has an equal claim to the country’s tax revenues. We are making improvements, we are making steps, community by community, we are improving. And every Jamaican can feel confident that it does not matter what their political persuasion is. Taxpayer money equal to Labourite and PNP,” said Dr. Holness.
The Prime Minister highlighted Spicy Grove as a clear example of the Government’s approach to inclusive development, in which structured intervention has brought order, improved infrastructure, and increased opportunities for residents, without displacing families or undermining their security.
“There is no need to fear the government intervening to improve your community. None of the people here can say they were displaced. None. None of the people there can say, ‘I am worse off because the government came in and regularized the community. I want all Jamaican, all Jamaicans to appreciate that we are in a new era of resettling Jamaica,” the Prime Minister stated.
Prime Minister Holness noted that the transformation of the Hills of Spicy Grove has been a deliberate and phased process, beginning with the Government’s decision to purchase the land on behalf of residents, followed by road development and ongoing efforts to formalize land ownership and improve living conditions.
“It is not my intention or any member of the government to dispossess persons. But because we have had 50 years or more of informal settlements that are disorganized, when we intervene, we will have to reorganize the settlements. But on the basis that no one is made worse off by the reorganization. So, in this new dispensation, in this new era of resettling Jamaica and making Jamaica organized, where we move from chaka chaka to order, I ask all Jamaicans to cooperate. Cooperate. The other thing I ask is for your patience.”
The Prime Minister reiterated that these interventions are part of a broader national strategy to regularize informal communities, strengthen infrastructure, and ensure that citizens can secure lasting value in their homes and pass on improved opportunities to future generations.