Prime Minister Hon Dr. Andrew Holness has launched a fierce takedown of what he calls a “culture of deliberate mischief”, warning that his Administration will no longer allow misinformation to derail Jamaica’s recovery efforts after Hurricane Melissa. Addressing the crowd at the opening of the new Little London Police Station in Westmoreland on Friday, Holness said his Government is prepared to challenge every false claim head-on, insisting that misleading narratives are weakening public confidence at a critical time.
Holness, speaking with unusual candour, argued that bad-faith actors are intentionally twisting facts about the hurricane response to score political points and stir public confusion. “Mi nuh fraid ah nuhbody,” he said, vowing to confront detractors “toe to toe” as falsehoods spread rapidly across social media. According to the Prime Minister, the disinformation surge has become as disruptive as the storm itself, diverting national focus from recovery to online drama.
The Opposition People’s National Party, along with several residents in western Jamaica, has criticised the Government for what they describe as a partisan, slow, and inadequate recovery process. While the PNP has called for elected representatives to lead the distribution of relief, Holness dismissed the allegations and announced a shift from food packages to vouchers, arguing that some are politicising the crisis for their own gain. He further rejected claims that the opening of the new police station was ill-timed, explaining that the project dates back to a 2017 partnership between the NHT and the Government to ensure police presence in emerging communities.
Holness maintained that Jamaica needs unity and accurate information, not “lies and rumours”, if the country is to rebuild quickly. As the Government continues to address fallout from Hurricane Melissa, the Prime Minister’s latest stance signals a more combative communication strategy — one that promises to keep Jamaica’s political conversation lively in the weeks ahead.
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