Prime Minister Andrew Holness said the Government intends to take several steps this year to address issues such as crime and violence, as well as improve the country’s economy and health sector.

In his New Year’s Day message, Mr Holness acknowledged that health issues, road crashes and crime impacted the country significantly in 2023.

He said while murders went down by about 7.5 per cent and serious crimes overall are down 10 per cent compared to 2022, since Jamaica passed the 1,000-murder mark in 1997, it has remained above that for 23 years.

The Prime Minister said more effort will be made to target crime reduction, a comprehensive social service response to violence, which will begin this year.

He added that resolving road issues will also be high on the Government’s agenda.

Mr. Holness also pointed out that several health care facilities will be rehabilitated this year.