Mark J. Golding

President of the PNP, Leader of the Opposition, MP for St. Andrew South, Proud Jamaican 🇯🇲, husband and father

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

Opposition Reiterates Concerns Regarding NaRRA While Nominating Representative to the JAMRROC Committee

Kingston, Jamaica. June 16, 2026: The Opposition People's National Party remains deeply concerned about the governance framework established under the National Reconstruction and Resilience Authority (NaRRA) legislation, particularly the insufficient safeguards for transparency, accountability, and independent oversight.

From the outset, the Opposition has made clear that Jamaica requires an effective and inclusive governance mechanism to provide oversight for post-Melissa national recovery and reconstruction. We support efforts to build resilience and expedite recovery for affected communities. However, the urgency of reconstruction must be underpinned by democratic accountability and transparent decision-making.

Our concerns regarding the legislative structure of NaRRA have been consistently articulated, both in the Parliament and in the public domain. These concerns remain unaddressed.

Nevertheless, the Opposition recognises that the legislation has been passed, NaRRA is a reality and will play a central role in Jamaica’s economy in years to come. It is imperative that, especially given its serious structural deficiencies, NaRRA benefits from diverse perspectives and independent voices as much as possible.

The Opposition has therefore exercised its responsibility to national development by nominating a representative to serve on the Jamaica Reconstruction and Resilience Oversight Committee (JAMRROC). Accordingly, the Leader of the Opposition has nominated Dr Christopher Burgess, a distinguished civil engineer, to JAMRROC.

Our decision to nominate a representative to JAMRROC is not an endorsement of the NaRRA legislation, as to which our concerns remain. Rather, it reflects our commitment to ensuring that JAMRROC itself benefits from broad representation and that the interests of the Jamaican people are safeguarded to the greatest extent possible within the existing inadequate legislative framework.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Golding, MP expressed, “The Opposition has consistently supported the objective of rapid disaster recovery and building national resilience. While we object to the NaRRA framework that concentrates power without adequate oversight and accountability, our decision to nominate a representative to JAMRROC reflects our belief that Jamaica needs independent competent voices at the table. Our national responsibility requires us to participate with vigilance."

We will continue to advocate for stronger guardrails, enhanced transparency, and meaningful oversight mechanisms to ensure that reconstruction efforts are conducted efficiently, fairly, and in the best interests of all Jamaicans.

[Jamaica Gleaner @JamaicaGleaner]

Opposition Spokesman on Land Lothan Cousins has hit back at comments by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness that Jamaica's "squatter culture" is hurting the country.

Read more: https://t.co/dLudSgNdjJ #GLNRToday

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

The Diaspora Is Our Lifeline

"Jamaicans abroad are not just our diaspora. They are our lifeline." 🇯🇲

At the 11th Biennial Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay, I celebrated the bond that connects us, no matter the zip code.

The diaspora sends home Jamaica’s largest source of foreign exchange. You’re the social safety net that keeps families afloat. That level of dedication deserves real partnership.

That’s why i reiterate my call for seats for Jamaicans abroad on the 100+ public boards that shape our national decisions. Your voice should be at the table, not just sending remittances from it.

I also raised the issue of those still hurting after Hurricane Melissa. Months later, families in Westmoreland, St. Elizabeth & Hanover are still under tarpaulins. Children are missing school. Recovery can’t wait.

The diaspora has always shown up for home. Jamaica must show up for you.

One people. One Jamaica. Wherever we are.

#DiasporaConference #OneJamaica #PNP

[PNP Jamaica @JamaicaPNP]

PAC Chairman Julian Robinson MP sought an update from the Ministry of Health and Wellness on concerns surrounding the air conditioning system at Kingston Public Hospital and its impact on surgical services.

The Permanent Secretary advised that two of KPH's four main operating theatres remain affected following the breakdown of an aging air conditioning system. While repairs have been completed, the affected theatres require specialized HEPA filters that must be manufactured overseas before they can be brought back into operation.

The Ministry indicated that emergency surgeries continue at KPH, while elective procedures have been scaled back. Procurement is also underway for a new air conditioning system to replace the existing infrastructure.

PAC members continue to monitor the issue closely as patients await the full restoration of services.

#PAC @julianjay

[PNP Jamaica @JamaicaPNP]

PNP NEWS 📰:

Scott-Mottley Calls for Government Clarification on Reported US Deportation Proposal

Opposition Spokesperson on Foreign, Regional and Diaspora Affairs, Senator Donna Scott-Mottley, is calling on the Government to urgently clarify reports that Jamaica is being considered for participation in a proposed Third-Country Nationals (TCN) Agreement with the United States.

According to media reports, the proposed arrangement could allow for the transfer of non-Jamaican nationals being removed from the United States to Jamaica under specified circumstances. The reports have generated significant public concern and raised important questions that the Government has a responsibility to answer.

“Jamaicans deserve to know whether discussions have taken place and whether any commitments or understandings have been reached. They also deserve to know whether any Jamaican official approached the United States regarding such an arrangement. If so, the Government must indicate who authorised those discussions and on whose behalf they were conducted,” Senator Scott-Mottley said.

She noted that any arrangement involving the transfer of non-nationals to Jamaica would carry significant implications for immigration policy, national security, public resources, international obligations, and Jamaica's sovereign interests.

Full release available on the PNP website @MottleyDonna

[PNP Jamaica @JamaicaPNP]

Lothan Cousins, MP, expressed strong concern over what he described as a disregard for parliamentary accountability and oversight.

He argued that public officials have a duty to uphold the principles of accountability, transparency, and respect for Parliament. Mr. Cousins maintained that failure to comply with parliamentary processes undermines not only the work of the PAC, but also the work of the Auditor General and the trust of the Jamaican people.

He called for decisive action from the relevant authorities, warning that any failure to address the matter could set a troubling precedent and weaken the systems of accountability that safeguard public institutions.
@lothancousinsja
#PAC #PeopleFirst

[PNP Jamaica @JamaicaPNP]

Peter Bunting, MP, strongly condemned the failure of a public official to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, describing the action as a serious disregard for Parliament's oversight responsibilities.

Referencing concerns raised in previously tabled documents regarding a culture of non-compliance, Mr. Bunting argued that the incident reinforced longstanding questions about accountability and governance.

He pointed to the findings of the Auditor General's report and maintained that public officials entrusted with managing public institutions must be held accountable to Parliament and the Jamaican people. Mr. Bunting also stressed that a clear signal must be sent that non-compliance with parliamentary processes is unacceptable and cannot be allowed to undermine the work of oversight committees.
@PeterBuntingja
#PAC #PeopleFirst

[PNP Jamaica @JamaicaPNP]

PNP Culture And Heritage Commission Backs Call For National Day Of Recognition For Leonard P. Howell

Kingston, Jamaica. June 15, 2026: On the eve of the 128th anniversary of his birth, the People's National Party (PNP) Culture and Heritage Commission is endorsing the growing call to formally designate June 16 as a National Day of Recognition for Leonard Percival Howell, widely regarded as the founder of the Rastafari Movement.

The Commission notes that, aside from National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey, few Jamaicans have inspired a homegrown spiritual, philosophical, and cultural movement with such far-reaching global influence. From the Caribbean to Africa, Europe and the Americas, Rastafari has shaped conversations on identity, liberation, spirituality and social justice, while becoming one of Jamaica's most enduring contributions to the world.

Chairman of the PNP Culture and Heritage Commission, IB Konteh, said the call for national recognition is ultimately a matter of historical justice. "Leonard P. Howell was a visionary Jamaican whose ideas challenged colonial domination and inspired generations to embrace African identity, dignity and self-determination. At a time when such views attracted persecution and repression, he stood firmly in defence of the humanity and worth of Black people. The global reach of the Rastafari Movement stands as a lasting testament to the power of his vision and convictions."

Konteh noted that Howell paid a significant personal price for advancing ideas that would later influence millions around the world. "For his beliefs and advocacy, Leonard Howell endured harassment, imprisonment and sustained efforts to silence his message. Yet despite those hardships, his influence endured and grew beyond Jamaica's shores. It is fitting that the nation where the movement was born formally acknowledges the man whose courage and sacrifice helped lay its foundation."

The Commission believes that the formal recognition of June 16 would provide an important opportunity to educate future generations about Howell's contribution to Jamaica's history, anti-colonial thought, Pan-African consciousness and cultural development.

While noting that a National Day of Recognition is distinct from a public holiday, the Commission argues that such an observance would help ensure that Leonard Howell's contribution is preserved within the nation's collective memory and afforded the prominence it deserves. "As Jamaicans, we have a responsibility to honour those whose vision helped shape our national identity and whose influence continues to resonate across the world. Recognising Leonard Howell is not simply about acknowledging one man; it is about recognising a movement, a legacy and a chapter of Jamaican history that continues to inspire millions globally."

The PNP Culture and Heritage Commission therefore urges the Government, cultural institutions and all Jamaicans to support the call for June 16 to be observed as a National Day of Recognition for Leonard Percival Howell and to ensure that his contribution is given its rightful place in the national narrative.

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

It was a pleasure to be at the 11th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Montego Bay.

Jamaicans from every corner of the globe showed up, with their hearts, their dreams, and their belief in our island home.

No matter the zip code, we are one people. One future. One Jamaica. 🇯🇲

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

The Right to Life Is Not Negotiable

Jamaica has made real progress in reducing serious crime and we salute the work of the Jamaica Constabulary Force in achieving that. But progress cannot come at the cost of our fundamental rights.

The high levels of fatal police shootings have already sparked a nationwide debate about accountability and the need for body-worn cameras. Against that backdrop, remarks from the Minister of Justice suggesting that deadly force is lawful against a fleeing suspect are deeply troubling.

Jamaica's Charter of Rights, enacted in 2011, establishes the right to life as a supreme constitutional norm. A person suspected of an offence who is attempting to flee does not forfeit their right to life. No outdated common law position can override that.

The Minister of Justice must stand as a guardian of human rights, not provide cover for their erosion. I am calling on him to withdraw those remarks, or at the very minimum clarify them, so that Jamaica knows the right to life remains sacred in this country.

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

11 Fatal Shootings in 24 Hours. I’m Concerned.

In Parliament yesterday, I addressed the Minister’s request to extend the Zones of Special Operations for another 6 months. We’ve consistently supported these renewals, and I’m not opposing this one. But after nearly a decade in some communities, with little visible law enforcement presence beyond a checkpoint, I have to ask: what is the continuing purpose of this mechanism?

“11 police fatal shootings in 24 hours is a concern to us.”

Crime is down across Jamaica even in areas without ZOSOs. So I asked the Minister to come with a full ministerial statement. This House, and the Jamaican people, deserve a real debate on the database analysis underway + the transition he says is being considered.

Communities deserve more than an extended legal regime of reduced rights + increased enforcement powers. They deserve interventions like Project STAR that build hope, opportunity, and dignity.

I also raised this: INDECOM is overwhelmed. Investigations take far too long. In the meantime communities feel vulnerable.

I support body-worn cameras on special operations because Jamaicans deserve confidence that the rule of law is being followed.

We need accountability and we need it now.

#AccountabilityNow #PNP

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

Billions at Stake And No One to Answer For It.
The NARRA legislation has passed both Houses of Parliament, but that doesn't mean the fight for accountability is over. Opposition Leader Mark Golding is raising the alarm on a public body that will control billions in national resources, yet was set up with no board of directors, no transparency requirements, and no parliamentary oversight. The Opposition isn't against national development, they're against doing it wrong. A CEO appointed solely by the Prime Minister, with no independent board to provide checks and balances, is not good governance. NARRA needs to be amended.

#NARRA #Jamaica #MarkGolding #Accountability #GoodGovernance

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

The Integrity Commission has certified my Statutory Declaration as at December 31, 2024 and published a summary thereof in the Jamaica Gazette on Tuesday, May 26, 2026:

I am confirming that my Statutory Declaration of Assets, Liabilities and Income as at December 31, 2024 has been certified by the Integrity Commission, and that a summary thereof was published in the Jamaica Gazette on May 26, 2026 and is available on the Integrity Commission’s website.

This is a legal requirement under the Integrity Commission Act and is in furtherance of the transparency and accountability objectives of that critical legislation.

I remain committed to the highest standards of good governance and, along with the other members of the Shadow Cabinet, and to complying with the Leadership Code of Conduct that we have all signed.
#IntegrityAndTransparencyMatters

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

I am very happy that @dmccaulay has been granted the tremendous honour of winning the 2026 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize for her latest novel, “A House for Miss Pauline”.

Diana’s body of creative writing has been a great contribution to Caribbean literature, and for her to be recognized in this way is overdue and very fitting.

Well known as one of our most tireless and effective environmental activists, the literary aspect of Diana’s life has now come into its own, and I hope this award will inspire her to continue her creative writing so that we can look forward to more great novels from this distinguished Jamaican writer. Congrats!

[Jamaica Gleaner @JamaicaGleaner]

Jamaican author Diana McCaulay has won the 2026 Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prize for her novel A House for Miss Pauline, securing the £10,000 (J$2 million) award at a ceremony in London on Monday.

Read more: https://t.co/U4fURnLlTN

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

$700 Million Left Unspent While Jamaicans Wait on Solidarity
The Solidarity Programme was supposed to help Jamaicans hit hardest by the crisis.
Instead, $700 million of those funds remain unused. Meanwhile, applications were rejected without explanation and families are still waiting.
Here’s my take on how I feel the programme was handled, and why accountability can’t wait.
People need answers. People need support.

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

Today is an important day as Jamaica honours the enduring legacy of the Most Honourable Portia Simpson-Miller by dedicating a North Street building used in the overseas work programme in her name. I was glad to have
@GranvilleValen6 Trade Unionist and General Secretary of the NWU here for this auspicious occasion.

This recognition reflects her lifelong commitment to working people, opportunity, and public service. Mama P’s journey and leadership continue to inspire Jamaicans across generations, and it is fitting that a space connected to labour and advancement now stands as part of her legacy.

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

It was my pleasure to spend a part of Labour Day at the National Labour Day Project at Sabina Park, joining volunteers and workers committed to improving an important national space.

Labour Day continues to remind us of the power of collective action and what can be achieved when Jamaicans come together in service to country and community. Thank you to everyone who gave their time and effort today in the spirit of nation-building.

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

Today, my councillors, Sarah Marshall and Louise Newland, along with residents and community members across South St Andrew, carried out several Labour Day activities focused on community clean-up, painting, beautification, sign restoration, and support for our seniors.

From Paradise Court to Trench Town, Havana, White Road, West Street and Torrington Park, people came together with pride and purpose to strengthen and uplift their communities. Thank you to every volunteer, resident, and community group who participated and helped make the day a success. South St Andrew is strongest when we work together.

[Mark J. Golding @MarkJGolding]

Labour Day reminds us that Jamaica is strongest when we work together in service of each other and our communities.

Today, as Jamaicans across the island roll up their sleeves to uplift schools, parks, roads, churches, and public spaces, let us also reflect on the dignity of work, the sacrifices of ordinary people, and the collective spirit that continues to carry this country forward.

“One People, One Purpose: In All Things, Jamaica Wins.”

Happy Labour Day, Jamaica 🇯🇲