Safety First, Then Trust Prolong Airport Debate
By
Bennette Roach
Geralds Airport site
As of Wednesday last week, there was what might be one last attempt to satisfy Montserratians' safety questions on an airport at Geralds.
Indeed we were told, "This is a new international airport," suggesting that everything at the airport will meet all international standards, including new requirements to deal with matters arising out of the U.S. events of September 11, 2001.
Accordingly,
as we reported last week, the lead spokesman for Halcrow at the forum that
Wednesday, presented such a case. He said: "This actually is a full
international airport, not just a new facility but a facility that must comply
with all of the standards and regulations laid down by the International Civil
Aviation Organization, and that process of planning and designing an airport to
meet international standards is a complex one, even for a relatively small
facility."
At
the beginning of that night's presentation, Mr. Bill Millington, Halcrow project
manager and team leader, was the main presenter. He announced his apprehension
at having to make the presentation, claiming that he had been informed only two
days before his visit that "we'd be making this presentation. So I think we
deserve some prizes for bravery." "But," he said, "in fact
we are very well prepared for this situation."
Coming
out of that forum, however, was an additional problem for Montserrat. The designers said that there could be problems that
"might push the project beyond the limits of affordability."
Mr.
Millington (pictured left) certainly expressed worry about the project they were about to
undertake. " I must say that when we first saw this program, it was
something of a shock to us… As I’ve mentioned, it must comply with
international standards and it’s very tight."
DFID'S
engineer Stephen Young addressed the matter of unaffordability. He said:
"By the end of March, as I say, we—as has been said—the consultants
will come back with their inception report that will look fully at lengths, at
costs, what is affordable, what we together can afford.
And we may have a negative answer. I
don’t believe so but we may, and if we have a negative answer, I will stand
here in front of you in March and share that with you and we’ll have to talk
about it together."
This
was after Mr. Millington agreed with this reporter, saying;
"You're
quite right, if conclusions of the studies were that the operating criteria were
unlicensable, or that the project was unaffordable, those recommendations would
have to be put to the funding agencies, the Government of Montserrat in order
for them to make a strategic decision as to whether they wanted to proceed with
the project."
He
promised, "We certainly want to identify any early warnings of overruns.
We’ve already started doing that with the geo-technical investigations
but it’s obviously vital that the Government is made aware of any fatal flaws
in any of the assumptions made already, which might bring rise, give rise to
major cost escalations."
The
main group leading the argument against the construction of an airport at
Geralds is the Committee for the Redevelopment of Montserrat (CRM). They claim
that the proposed 500-meter runway for Geralds is not long enough, will not
impact socially or economically on the development of Montserrat, and is
"inherently unsafe."
During
the interaction at the forum the consultants were challenged that they have not
done any wind studies critical to the construction and licensing of an airport.
To this Mr. Millington replied that they have the benefit of "over three
years of wind records…which gives us a lot of confidence in utilization,"
adding later, " Turbulence is another matter (that) impacts upon the
stability of aircraft upon approach and to an extent, on takeoff."
He
went on to explain, "We’ve actually subcontracted the wind modeling work
to experts recommended to us by the UK Civil Aviation Authority and they will be
undertaking the turbulence studies completely independently from Halcrow."
Emotions
can be said to have run high as distrust was expressed for government, DFID and
so the question in turn became, should trust be given to Halcrow. Governor
Longrigg was in the audience and commented quickly on the trust matter:
"Like the Minister, I was intending to come here and sit quietly.
I’m making it (this comment) because as Governor I also have a role in
this issue of safety and this simple issue of safety and trust.
It doesn’t really matter what you think of the politicians, what you
think of DFID or what you think of me—the question of safety is going to be
decided by international organizations, and if the international organizations
don’t think this airport is safe, then they won’t permit it to be licensed,
nor the British government. Simple."
Part
2 - Feasibility Assessment for the Permanent Solution done by SEA Aeroporti Di
Milano of Italy, summarizing earlier reports, sees Geralds with a 600-meter
runway (and also believes that it meets the temporary solution requirement), but
discounts it completely for the permanent solution, stating also that
""it has the least long-term potential, because it will be difficult
to extend the runway even up to 600 meters."
They
did not consider it for the permanent solution and saw Geralds as the worst in
terms of the lost investment when the time comes to consider permanent
solutions.
Antigua Ousts Journalist, Bird Talks Free Movement
By
Bennette Roach
Last Friday afternoon I witnessed an unusually large crowd at VC Bird International airport which had gathered mainly to show their support for OBSERVER Radio personality Julius Gittens and their apparent disgust with the circumstances of his departure from Antigua.
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There were police in numbers, some in riot gear, who witnessed what turned out to be quite an orderly demonstration.
Mr. Gittens is the host of "The Big
Issues," a news review programme aired on Sundays on OBSERVER Radio, but he
was ordered to leave the State forthwith by Chief Immigration Officer, after a
dispute over his status. Labour Commissioner Austin Josiah,
who was said to have recommended Mr. Gittens' expulsion from the Island,
had reportedly claimed that Mr. Gittens "had not submitted any payments or
work permit application."
Proof of Mr. Gittens' work permit payment was finally presented on the said Friday, but the officials claimed it was too late, and further that he had not filed the necessary applications and paid the prescribed fee of $10.
During the events in which the Order for Mr.
Gittens' exigent exit from Antigua was made, Antigua's Prime Minister Lester
Bird was with other OECS leaders in Anguilla, where they were discussing and
formalizing decisions to facilitate travel and agree on Freedom of Movement
among OECS member states.
A press release from the Secretariat stated that
all nine "OECS Heads of Government have set March 12th as the deadline for
Free Movement of OECS people in the sub-region… The Heads also agreed to amend
Immigration Acts to grant an automatic six month stay to OECS people who travel
to another territory."
Mr. Gittens called back on his cell phone to his fellow Barbadian boss, very
well known radio and TV personality Julian Rogers, and told him that his
passport was stamped that he should not return to Antigua within six months.
OBSERVER Radio is considered one of the best
things happening in Antigua, with its great interaction with the people on
call-in programs on any issue they wish to talk about, including the recent
Commission of Inquiry into the Medical Benefits Scheme scandal.
The Daily Observer, which had asked for my
thoughts as a fellow journalist, quoted me as having said: "It goes to show
that Antigua has no leadership," with special reference to the Opposition
Party's inability to intercede in the fast series of events ending in Mr.
Gittens' departure from the Island. I noted the irony of the situation with
their Prime Minister discussing matters of this nature in Anguilla with his OECS
counterparts.
Mr. Chelston Lee, a young Montserratian who moved
from Information Officer at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, is the News
Director at OBSERVER Radio. He reports that he had been told by the Chief
Immigration Officer that he and his countrymen were now considered to be
"foreigners."
This was confirmed just yesterday in a news release from the Antigua government which boasted that Antigua granted a total of 5,739 work permits to non-nationals last year. "The government of Antigua and Barbuda has provided ease of travel for Caricom nationals, but has expressed that it is not prepared at this time to waive the requirement for a work permit to obtain a job in the State."
Thirty-eight Barbadians were among those receiving work permits, alongside 1,516 from Guyana, and 1,387 from Jamaica, who ranked first and second with the highest number of work permit issued to Caricom nationals. Montserrat's figure was reported at 188, while there were 28 countries in all listed, as well as the Rest of the World which figure stood at 297.
Chief Minister John Osborne commented in Antigua late last year during an interview on the said OBSERVER Radio on the conventional arrangement between Antigua, St. Kitts-Nevis and Montserrat. He said Montserratians for more than a decade were allowed to work in these territories, particularly since the advent of the volcanic crisis, without work permit requirement. Last night he told a staff reporter, “I am confident, and I am certain that that is not the way the Government sees it, and I don’t know, based on what the Prime Minister has just said in Anguilla, that Montserratians are declared foreigners in Antigua. We have a very good relationship with Antigua and that is not going to be the case.”
"First
Geralds was the Only Option, But
Now It Might Even Turn Out to be 'Unaffordable'"
For
the people represented in part by the Committee for the Redevelopment of
Montserrat (CRM), much of the difficulty surrounding the construction of an
airport at Geralds hinges on the safety issue and the future economic benefits
that a "temporary" airport at Geralds would bring to the island. The
CRM argue that there are other locations more suitable for an airport. But while
there is no disputing this, government representatives and the project manager
argue that the question of an airport at Geralds come down to one matter, the
availability of money.
They
argue that the British Government will not provide more money for an airport,
which now is in jeopardy of not getting further than inception design. Further
it was revealed and confirmed by Minister Lowell Lewis that Montserrat now has
the responsibility to come up with $10 million to make up the $41 million the BG
had promised to construct the airport. Anyone can speculate that the British
Government is punishing Montserrat for the delay in agreeing to the temporary
airport at Geralds.
There
is also the argument that a temporary airport should be constructed at a site
that offers a permanent solution for the long term. Such a site has been
suggested at Blakes, and Minister Lewis, whose ministry carries responsibility
for the airport, promises to ask that parallel studies be done at this site as
they are being done at Geralds. He believes that this is the better option, but
is frustrated because the Blakes option would cost more money even to construct
the first phase that would match that at Geralds. It becomes even more urgent
and relevant that studies be done at another site, given that it was revealed at
the forum last week Wednesday night that it would cost even more to put in the
facility under the terms of reference provided to Halcrow.
CRM
in the meantime say they are raising funds to conduct studies at another site at
Old Quaw, which they have determined is a better site all round than Geralds.
Then
there are the political and inside-outside interests that want to see the
Geralds project proceed, as it is said that some interested parties, expecting
riches by the end of the project, fear that any delay or change in plans would
deny them the opportunity.
It
is most interesting to note that the Italian consultants who provided an early
report on temporary airport solutions for Montserrat concluded in their Tourism
Development Opportunities Analysis:
"We
can, without any doubts, confirm that an airport facility will have high
strategic importance in the development and tourist enhancement…We feel
confident that the construction of an airport, offering a regular passenger
service, would be able to give a better qualitative asset to the island
transport system and also attract more tourist investments."
The
same SEA-Aeroporti di Milano, in their Feasibility Assessment
for the permanent solution for an airport financed by the European
Development Fund, clearly stated, "Future development of the 'temporary'
airport at solution Geralds Botton cannot be satisfactory."
(See Report Conclusions below)
Whereas
for Blakes Estate, over which they had expressed dismay that it was never
positively considered, they said: "Blakes Estate option is the most
feasible, safe and, in general terms, sustainable between the considered ones -
which included Thatch Valley and Old Quaw."
The
question must be, why is this Government not asking its people to support an
argument to start by putting the temporary strip at Blakes, which will already
have the assets necessary to proceed to the permanent solution five to eight
years from now?
No
one is disputing the extremely urgent need for an airport as key to any
development of Montserrat, but Montserratians would never live down another
White (or pitch-black) Elephant in an airport that LIAT and Carib Aviation will
not include in their destinations, thus not having Montserrat appear on
international travel destinations because of the degree of difficulty that makes
its airport unsuitable.
It
will never suffice to have any single operator searching for wealth while he
risks lives operating a service with only tiny aircraft landing at an airport in
Montserrat. It appears that the British Government will be willing to fund such
an operation. Our request must be to put that money into the additional cost
doing that, which will leave no doubts or worry.
The
experts refer time and time again to the adverse social impacts with the
hospital (not soundproof) only yards away from the proposed strip and the
village that has to be torn up. Also if indeed it was expected (and the
statistics seem to bear this out) that some 60,000 passengers would by this year
be going in and out of the airport, on a Twin Otter with 19 seats, that would
mean some nine or more flights a day, and that means full each time. Not to
mention the inadequacy of luggage space, there will be no ferry to bring the
extra bag. Seriously, there is much that mitigates an airstrip at Geralds, but
some serious considerations must be done now.
Montserrat's
chief minister must seek to take his hand out of the lion's mouth rather than
pat it for the rest of our history. No one yet in history has ever gone anywhere
towards their destiny except demanding they let go. If we continue the trend
already obvious to be a doomed attitude, we wouldn't have long to wait for David
Brandt's words, "If you take only what they offer, you will never get what
you want," when he parted as chief minister to be fulfilled.
Maybe
we can be confident that Halcrow will do the right thing and ensure that any
airport it constructs at Geralds to satisfy Twin Otter operations, will be safe
and meet international standards. However, at this time we ought not to be
waiting to find out if they will be able to meet the requirements with a budget
of $41 million.
But
for our government to continue to have us eaten and swallowed by the lion,
instead of trying to carry out their promises may result in no need for an
airport in due course. The strangest thing in all of this, is that the day we
completely acquiesce to the stubbornness of the British Government, or to their
punishment by departing this soil, is the day we will look back and watch it
begin to glow before our very eyes. The war in the Falkland Islands is in no way
comparable to the tragedy we suffered here in Montserrat, but our worst tragedy
will be when we bend to the continuing pressure which is now so difficult to
deal with. The Falklands are said to barely get a 1,000 tourists per year, they
obviously do not need that to exist, but with a population much less than ours
at present, how is it that they enjoy a fully adequate (jet) airport provided by
the British? Is Montserrat being merely marginalized?
Many recognize the ignorance, the unfortunate circumstances and the ensuing mistakes that have plagued us and continue to envelope us. Why must we continue to endure ignorance and political destitution and prostitution, and can we?
Beyond any doubt we need an airport, and soon but
it must be done right, not like the Davy Hill houses, the Government
Headquarters, the Water Tanks, consultancy after consultancy and millions of
dollars spent on or for Montserrat that is not reflected in Montserrat.
Except
for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily
those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers.
Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles.
All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are
welcome. Send your contributions to
The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org
or monrep@candw.ag. Manuscripts
will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope.
The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.
Jus Wonderin items may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430
PART 2
- FEASIBILITY ASSESSMENT FOR THE PERMANENT SOLUTION - Final Report
5.3 Conclusions:
A multi-criteria evaluation process has been applied to compare the different possible alternatives and, in comparison with the previous version (paragraph 4.2), some items and scores within the new evaluation matrix have been turned following the comments received from the Ministry of Communications and Works of the GOM.
This results in different final scores for the different options, characterized by minor differences from the previous evaluation.
- Thatch Valley option is characterized by the presence of important obstacles along the whole length of the airstrip affecting safety (with reference to the rules of the International Civil Aviation Organisation), by major earthworks and access difficulties which impose very high investment costs (and consequently low sustainability) and by a great impact on the natural environment. These factors balance the good performance expressed by this location with reference to the land development and the social impact items;
- Old Quaw option presents problems with reference to the presence of obstacles and has a runway orientation which reduce the overall usability of the airport (both items affecting the global safety of operations); also in this case, the environmental impact is very important, while the option shows good performances as for other social impact items and for the ones related to land development;
- Blake’s Estate option has a greater overall cost than the Old Quaw solution, and will insist over areas which have been already assigned to different social functions (football ground, cemetery), but is the option that better applies to ICAO recommendations in terms of safety and presents medium/good scores in all the other main evaluation items;
- a possible future development of the “temporary” solution at Gerald’s Bottom was not considered due to its heavy social impact and its utilization in the long term with limited operational characteristics obtains very low scores in terms of social impact and land development, even if it presents good results in terms of safety and sustainability;
- the reuse of Bramble airport is too much related to the volcanic activity for being presently considered as a possible solution.
The above mentioned main considerations, and the other ones which have been defined drawing up this study, confirm the conclusion, obtained during the first evaluation (see paragraph 4.3), that – on the basis of the present knowledge – the Blake’s Estate option is the one satisfying at the best level overall considerations related to the realization of a “permanent” airport solution for Montserrat. It must be noted that Blake’s option is not the best in any of the four main item considered - even if the second-high score obtained for safety has a strong influence upon the final result – but it represents the best solution in the light of the different contributes coming from the various elements of the project involved in the overall evaluation.
Nothing Less Than The Best
… He made us, his we are. Psalm 100:3
I used to be amused by a friend who went to elaborate lengths to create the finest Italian meal. He learned to bake bread, made his own wine, lovingly fabricated pasta, and searched for the purest olive oil.
After an afternoon in his kitchen, and then sharing the final product with him amusement gave way to understanding. Having tasted the best, prepared with delight, dedication and joy, who could accept less?
This, apparently, is what God wants: that we will accept nothing less than the best. And the best is: God’s own self! All that God is. This is the destiny reserved for us. And this is what God asks: that having tasted his love, his presence, his joy in us-having tasted the best wine-we will long for it and do whatever we can to be in his presence always.
After all, his desire is to be with us! God made
us, and his we are and the secret is, the more you and I become present to God,
the more we can be present to others, and bring them also into the love, joy and
compassion at the heart of God.
My God, bring me more and more into your
presence; show me where you are to be found; fulfill my deepest longing. For I
am yours.
Mary Marrocco
Colossians 1:15-20, Psalms 100:1-5, Luke 5:33-39
Our Government Plays Us
Citizens to be Fools
Dear Editor,
I am sometimes inclined to laugh and cry at the
same time when I consider the way government works. But on reflection I should
perhaps say, "How politicians think us as citizens to be fools."
The Hon Minister of Communications and Works was
on radio a few weeks ago defending government’s action in postponing the
licensing of vehicles in order that legislation could be passed/rushed through
the house/legislature in order to charge higher vehicle licensing fees.
Like many others, I am in disagreement with the
way it was done. In a place like the United States, unlike little British M/rat,
as a citizen affected by the government’s action of turning me back, I could
have brought a ‘Writ of Mandamus’ against the Licensing Office to get my
vehicle licensed at the rate on the books. (There was no notice to the public
about the change, and despite Mr. Brandt’s legal training, I am no law
graduate or student, so the matter was allowed to rest)..
Using excerpts
from CONGREVE v HOME OFFICE 1975 C. No 11888, which had to do with government
attempting to collect higher television licences after citizens had paid lower
licensing fees the illegality of what was done will be highlighted!
Page 643 paragraph D, I quote,
“The present case is essentially concerned with the well established rule of
law that no pecuniary burden may be imposed on any person without direct
statutory authority; and that a man is entitled to order his affairs in
accordance with the law as it stands at the time in such a way as to avoid a
tax, or an increase in a licence fee.”
In giving judgement for the plaintiff Lord
Denning at the top of page 650 said; “Suppose
a man buys on March 26 1975, a television set for the first time for use in his
home. He goes to the post office and asks for a licence and tenders the $12 fee.
He would be entitled to have the licence issued to him at once; it would be a
licence to run from March 26, 1975, until February 29, 1976. I say
“entitled,” and I mean it. The Home Secretary could not possibly refuse him.
Nor could he deliberately delay the issue for a few days – until after April
1, 1975—so as to get a fee of $18 instead of $12 . That would not be a
legitimate ground on which he could exercise his discretion to refuse.”
It is accepted that government needs to raise
additional revenue, but it is the way it was gone about! If the licensing fees
had remained unchanged for over 25 years and they needed to be upgraded, I can
accept that some adjustment will be necessary. After all, motorists expect good
roads and should be prepared to pay toward such roads. It cannot be everything
for nothing in return.
Now, why do I express the view that politicians
think us ordinary citizens to be fools?
For quite a number of years now it has been
recommended to government, and I’m pretty certain to the Transport Board also,
that the period for which vehicles are licensed should be changed. It is thought
that it should no longer be from January to December 31st, but for 12
months, whether it be May-April; February-January; August-July; whatever months
make up 12; but let it be 12 MONTHS!
Presently should you buy a vehicle or have it
repaired and now want to licence it to bring it on the road, no matter what time
of the year, you are required to pay the full annual amount, and the licence
expires December 31st. This has been seen as a disincentive and the
government did nothing about this for its citizens. It is why I am of the view
the politicians think we are fools!
The same way they went to both councils to have
the licence fee increased, they could have provided for the change in the period
of validity. They are in my humble opinion part and parcel of one and the same
thing/bill yet nothing was done. If they had any consideration for us the period
of duration of the licence would have been considered and changed, as were the
fees. Seemingly all they saw was a way of getting more money out of us.
It is seen that any government would not be only
looking at how it can collect more money from its citizens but would also be
looking at correcting anomalies where they exist.
What makes the matter so worrisome is that
similar principles are being applied to the licensing of firearms! A number of
persons have gone to the police to licence their firearms and have been turned
back. The police are not licensing any firearms; at least a certain category of
firearm. Can this be correct? No it cannot be. It shames me to hear some persons
say that Montserrat is small and one should not make a fuss. Size has nothing to
do with it.
It is the duty of persons in authority to act
within the law that they swear to uphold! Right is Right and Wrong is Wrong,
whether in a large or small society. The learned brains on the government
payroll should never allow such things to happen because there is the need for
more money. Will I be told in
the future that it is right to act illegally once such action benefits the
public purse?
What will we be coming to in this country if
things like this are allowed to happen and no one asks questions in order to
bring about corrections? We had
better be careful of the road we trod that it doesn’t end up being the
"slippery slope" to dictatorship and anarchy! And all for the love of
money?
John Bardis
Ferry Fares Increased, ‘Copter Talks Continue
<--
Ferry docked at Little Bay
The Government of Montserrat has ended negotiations with tenderer Wall Trading Limited for the ferry and anticipated fare increases have been announced.
Talks continue with Bajan Helicopters about those services.
Since the volcanic crisis, the Department For International Development (DFID) had been responsible for emergency external transportation services, but as part of new arrangements with DFID, the Government of Montserrat has assumed those responsibilities.
Although the government decided to continue to subsidize the cost of travel by the ferry, the Executive Council determined on January 31, 2002 that increases of 33 percent in the regular travel rate and 60 percent in the weekend special rate would be implemented effective February 15.
The new rates:
The Montserrat Reporter sought the opinion of some members of the public on the matter. We asked ‘What do you think of the increase in travel rates?’ Here are a few responses.
Businessman: “I am not against it. It is just that the timing is wrong. Things are so slow now it makes it very difficult. I also think we have heard more about this increase long before it took place so we could prepare for it.”
Office Clerk: “It is good. When you look at it, we have to help maintain it.”
Young Man: “The increase is ok but they should increase salaries too so we can meet those increases.”
Student: “I think it is too much.”
Businessman: “We knew it was coming. For me, I’ll just be sure to travel on weekends. We simply have to shape our travel plans around the new costs. Business people always try to save money, so travel on weekends.”
Young Woman: “They want to imprison us like they did at Christmas time, but it cannot work. What they have to remember is that Antigua is like the capital of Montserrat, and you cannot tell people do not go to the city to shop.”
Tour
Operator “The fares are okay compared to the same ferry service in other
Caribbean countries.”
Opposition
to Geralds Now a Different Side
By
Helena Durand
The Committee for the Redevelopment of Montserrat (CRM), a registered non-profit organisation, is continuing its opposition to the construction of an airport at Geralds while the Government moves ahead with plans to build a temporary 500-meter airstrip there despite expressed concerns about safety.
The CRM contends that the runway is not long enough to facilitate take-offs and landings by a Twin Otter aircraft; the model which government has promised will be used on the airstrip.
Chairman of the CRM, retired Civil Servant Jim Bass, said in a ZJB newscast, “Our contention is that Geralds temporary airport is unacceptable at this stage of our re-development. CRM believes that Montserrat has a good future as a productive and a prosperous community, and as a community we need to demonstrate the initiative, the imagination, the persistence, the motivation and the boldness to make this a reality.”
He said he was quoting the current Minister of Communication and Works Dr. Lowell Lewis, who reportedly said that the 500-meter or 1,640-foot runway that is planned at Geralds to accommodate “a fully loaded Twin Otter aircraft is inherently unsafe,”
CRM’s contention that the airport will not advance Montserrat economically and socially has been rejected by Project Manager of the Airport project Claude Hogan, who maintains that the airport will be economically viable.
He told the Montserrat Reporter that Montserrat has potential as a niche tourism product and that “Every day the island goes without an airport, is an opportunity lost to claim global market share.”
As to why the government insists on going ahead with something that some people do not approve, Mr. Hogan responded, “People must know that when we [governments] are in these international contracts we cannot stop or pull out until such time as the project is no longer viable. We cannot make political decisions on these matters, but that is not to preclude any one from protesting. This project is on a sound footing at the moment and there is nothing to suggest otherwise. The green light for this project is on.”
He also said that government has well developed studies on the tourist traffic beyond the year 2003.
Former Chief Minister David Brandt, however, sees the construction of an airport at Geralds, temporary or otherwise, as a betrayal of the people’s trust.
He told the Montserrat Reporter, “I cannot understand how Dr. Lewis, Claude Hogan and the Government agreed with the British to put an airport at Gerald’s when in the election campaign they categorically told the people at Geralds there would be no airport placed there. This means that the people voted for them in overwhelming numbers to ensure that no airport was placed at Geralds. So they betrayed the people by putting it there.
"What is even more galling is that they committed the people of Montserrat to put $10 million, which we do not have, into that airport project, which the majority of the people are against. Thirdly, Mr Claude Hogan who also promised the people that no airport would go up at Geralds, took a job as Airport Project Manager and is paid by the British to ensure that an airport is placed at Geralds. I do not know how my friend Dr. Lewis sleeps at night when he is a part of all this.
Is the word ‘NO’ not in their vocabulary?”
GOM Offers to Sell Lookout,
Davy Hill, Shinland Houses
By
Helena Durand
Residents living in Government houses in Lookout, Davy Hill and Shinland are now closer to owning their own homes.
Mrs. Margaret Dyer-Howe, Minister responsible for Housing, said that is because Government has finalized sales policy for the houses.
Overall, government built 1,000 houses at a cost of over £19 million since the start of the volcanic crisis.
Mrs. Dyer-Howe told residents of Lookout that the first set of houses, known as Lookout One, would be sold at $80,000. per house. She said, “Government’s ownership of these housing estates represents a significant liability on government in terms of maintenance, insurance and property management...[Therefore] It is government’s intention to divest itself of its current housing stock, to reduce recurrent costs.”
She noted, however, that selling the houses to the residents can also be attributed to the fact that culturally, “There is a strong preference for home ownership providing residents with security, access to private finance by increasing their collateral, and enhancing their overall sense of well-being.”
Houses at Lookout
The houses in the Davy Hill and Shinland areas were built under the government’s emergency housing programme following the onset of volcanic activity in 1995.
Mrs. Dyer-Howe told residents of Davy Hill that the government had decided to sell them the houses for similar reasons. The price for a two-bedroom house and the land at Davy Hill and/or Shinland is $15,000..
She said while persons are being encouraged to purchase their properties, those who could not would be asked to enter into a new lease agreement with the government.
“The cost of the land alone is much more than $15,000,” she said, “so it’s really a give-away.”
She said most people may wish to take out a loan and purchase their homes, while others may wish to continue paying their monthly rental until the full amount has been paid.
“The good thing about it is that there are some people who have been paying regularly and so the balance on their bill right now is between $7,000 and $8,000. That makes it a lot easier for those people who have been paying all the time. I would really like to encourage others to pay as quickly as they can so that they can gain access to their title” Mrs. Dyer-Howe concluded.
Davy Hill housing project
There are those who believe that the houses at Davy Hill should simply be given to the residents, since repairs to them would be more costly than what was paid for them.
In support of that opinion, this paper quotes a letter from Mike Wood, former Head of the Overseas Territories Unit, to former Chief Minister David Brandt dated February 6, 2001. It reads, “We are prepared to examine what is required to put right the Davy Hill houses. We acknowledge that these were not built to a satisfactory standard by Brown & Root. We are taking legal advice on whether there is a case for recovering funds from the company under the Latent Damages Act.”
Mr Brandt responded in a letter dated March 22, 2001 “ You (Mike Wood) have made references to the rehabilitation of the houses at Davy Hill. We are of the view that the budget for Davy Hill rehabilitation should not be taken from the £10 million. The problems at Davy Hill can be directly attributed to DFID’s continued reluctance to listen to local advice on developmental issues on Montserrat. It is therefore difficult to understand why our limited aid resources should be utilized to 'fix' this problem.”
The ILO Caribbean Office has developed the Programme for the Promotion of Management-Labour Co-operation (PROMALCO), a two-year project, which began on January 1, 2001.
Director of PROMALCO Dr Vincent Henry was on
island this week holding meetings with and making presentations to a cross
section of labour-management stakeholders.
He told his audience that the major challenges facing the Caribbean are changes in production and trading patterns, therefore, it had become imperative to be competitive.
Sources of competitive advantages he said are “Technology, location and people, a country’s most valuable resource.”
He sought to encourage participants to create a task force which would utilize PROMALCO’s consultative expertise whenever necessary in the way forward for Montserrat.
However Dr Henry warned that although the task force objectives could be reached, it would take much work from everyone involved.
The task force he said would have to look among other things, at, bridging the chasm of mistrust between employers and employees and how to improve productivity.
Improving productivity he stated would require a “A new view to labour, a new mindset for employers/employees, a new approach to education, a new role for government and partnership.”
Labour he said was particularly important and needed “to be viewed as a capital investment [which needed protection] the same way you protect capital investments.”
PROMALCO’s presence on the island was as a
result of the insistence of Labour Officer Mr Elijah King Silcott who had
attended one of its seminars.
17 MSS Students On Jobs
Program
Seventeen students from the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) are on work assignments at various business places on the island as part of the school’s pre-vocational program.
The 11 boys and six girls will spend three weeks in the work environment.
They have been placed at the Treasury Department, the Ministry of Communications and Works, the Tropical Mansion Suites Hotel, the Montserrat Port Authority, Cable and Wireless, the Montserrat Water Authority, Montserrat Electricity Services and Radio Montserrat.
MSS Principal Kathleen Greenaway expressed the hope that the attachments would assist the students in gaining selection in the Summer Training Programme.
She said they are to be evaluated at the end of
the exercise and the information will be factored into the school’s assessment
program.
Montserrat
Tourist Board Has £178,000 for Projects
The Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB) sees tourism as one of the major regenerators for rebuilding the island, and believes it is poised to enhance this forward stride following the approval of several tourism development projects by the Department for International Development (DFID) in January.
The approved cost for the projects is £178,000 over financial years 2001/2 and 2002/3.
Among some of the approved projects, which the Tourist Board made bids for are:
1. The development and maintenance of trails for residents and visitors to enjoy,
2. Continued development of Garibaldi Hill as a tourist facility where it is hope to provide a parking and concession area, Interpretive Panels, an open-viewing wooden platform with a sheltered section to accommodate at least three wooden/cement park benches. A rest room with an eco-toilet and a coin-operated telescope for viewing the volcano, Plymouth, and surrounding environs, and
3. Development and maintenance of the Montserrat Tourist Board Website for one year.
Another development which the Tourist Board is
striving to achieve is the repositioning of Montserrat as a tourist destination
to allow the island to be a major catalyst for sustainable, economic and social
development.
At present, tenders are being sought from
consultants for the preparation of a National Tourism Strategy with
implementation plans to facilitate the rebuilding of the tourism sector, in the
short, medium and long term, which will help to steer the Tourist Board.
Prior to the volcanic activities, Montserrat was promoted as "The way the Caribbean used to be" to specific niches such as Upscale Retirees, Honeymooners, Hikers, Divers and Mountain Bikers.
It is hoped that when completed the new strategy
will contain recommendations that will help to identify new markets suitable to
the Montserrat Product and the best ways in which to capture these markets.
Western Union Resumes
Operation on Montserrat
Residents on Montserrat will find it easier to send and receive cash to and from overseas, now that the office of Western Union has been re-established on the island.
The office is located at the Super Centre Auto building in St. Peters.
Lennox Loews, Head of Western Union in Antigua, who was on island overseeing the re-launch of the company, said transactions would be processed through the Bank of Montserrat.
Western Union had been operating until the
volcanic crisis forced its suspension in 1997.
Montserrat to Take Part In St. Martin Trade Show
Tourism-related businesses on Montserrat are being invited to participate in the first St. Martin regional trade show, scheduled for April 25-27 at the Mahaut Resort and Casino. It will provide the venue for international buyers to network and negotiate future business opportunities with an estimated 150 suppliers in the regional tourism industry.
The trade show, which is referred to as SMART, is being organised by the St Martin Hospitality and Trade Association, and is expected to bring together many travel agents, tour operators, meeting planners, airline executives and other professionals in tourism and travel that have an interest in St. Martin and neighboring islands.
The Montserrat Tourist Board said that
representatives of the St Martin Hospitality and Trade Association will be on
island next Friday to hold a press conference and discussions with interested
persons.
Provisional Tick-Free Status
Due for Montserrat Thursday
Montserrat will be given provisional Tick-Free status from the Amblyomma Tick at an official declaration ceremony next Thursday.
The island’s eradication programme began in 1995, eight years after the Amblyomma tick began infesting and spreading to several Caribbean islands in 1987.
Dr. Robert Pegram, Manager of the Caribbean Amblyomma Programme, was on island recently discussing the island’s tick-status with agricultural officials and will be back for the declaration ceremony. While here he reportedly commended the Ministry of Agriculture staff for their excellent job of controlling the spread of the tick here.
He said although Montserrat will be declared provisionally tick free, much work has to be done to maintain the coveted status.
“I am pretty confident that Montserrat is in fact tick free," Dr. Pegram said in a ZJB interview, "but the fact remains that your neighbor Antigua . . . is still tick infected, and . . . there is always a risk of re-infestation until the whole Caribbean is free”.
He said the provision of tick-free status for Montserrat is a big event and is expected to attract several dignitaries from international and regional organisations.
Dr Pegram said that St. Kitts and St Lucia
celebrated similar provisional tick-free status last November.
OECS Heads Set March 12 For Free Movement Start
OECS Heads of Government have set March 12th as
the deadline for Free Movement of OECS people in the sub-region.
This was among decisions taken at what the Heads have called an historic summit
in Anguilla, January 31st and February 1st.
Participating States have agreed to have the free movement legislation passed in
their respective national parliaments on the same day.
The Heads also agreed to amend Immigration Acts to grant an automatic six-month
stay to OECS people who travel to another territory.
They have decided that in addition to regular passports, traveling OECS people
can use acceptable photo identification cards including drivers licences and
national ID cards.
The leaders agreed that they would introduce a common, simplified Immigration
Form to coincide with passage of the free movement legislation.
They also agreed that an OECS passport should be introduced by January 1st
2003.
They have noted that Member States retain the right to prohibit entry to
undesirable persons.
The Heads have also decided that Alien Land Holding licences will no longer
apply for OECS people in Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the
Grenadines. While it will remain in the others, measures are being
contemplated to exempt OECS people from paying the licence fees.
Antigua Trains Workers For Call Centre Opening
Antigua -- More than 135 successful applicants to Call Centres Antigua Ltd. are undergoing a three-week call-handling training program at its business site located on the Airport Road.
The training areas include Customer Relations, Telephone Sales, Computer Skills, Time Management, Industry Practices and Self-motivation. A further recruitment drive is expected to commence shortly with the testing and interviewing of another 150 applicants for positions as Telesales Representatives.
Call Centres Antigua Ltd. features approximately 400 work stations equipped with computers all in a network. At full capacity, 850 persons operating in shifts will staff the Centre.
Call Centres Antigua Ltd. is expected to become
operational by February 21 and will engage in sales and marketing services to
customers in the United States on behalf of major U.S. companies and
corporations. It is a joint venture between the Government of Antigua and
Barbuda and Caribbean Information Technologies (CIT).
Outgoing Chairman of the OECS, Prime Minister Dr.
Keith Mitchell of Grenada who is replaced by Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister
of St. Kitts and Nevis, believes the pursuit of OECS Economic Union requires
unwavering commitment on the part of Leaders.
Dr. Mitchell made the comment at the opening ceremony of the 35th Meeting of the OECS Authority being held at the Malliouhana Hotel in Anguilla.
He told the assembled Heads, dignitaries and other invited guests, that “The process of Economic Union requires technical studies with respect to free trade and the free movement of goods, services and capital, as well as some coordination of our social policies.” He was hopeful that this and other objectives would be fulfilled within the two- year time frame identified and was of the belief that the leaders had the impetus to move forward.
He noted that global realities dictated that the OECS act decisively and without unnecessary delays particularly, “As we seek to improve the living standards for our people through better health care, social services, educational and training opportunities, as well as infrastructural development and security measures among others. We need to remind ourselves that our progress depends on our commitment,” he added.
OECS Government Heads In 2-Day
Anguilla Session
THE VALLEY, Anguilla -- Heads of Government led
all nine delegations of Member States of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean
States (OECS) at the two-day 35th meeting of the OECS Authority Jan.
1 to Feb. 1 at the Malliouhana Hotel here.
They are Hon. Lester Bird, Prime Minister of
Antigua and Barbuda; Hon. Pierre Charles, Prime Minister of Dominica; Hon. Dr.
Keith Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada; Hon. John Osborne, Chief Minister of
Montserrat; Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis; Hon.
Dr. Kenny Anthony, Prime Minister of St. Lucia; Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, Prime
Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Hon Ralph O’Neal, Chief Minister,
British Virgin Islands; and Hon. Osbourne Fleming, Chief Minister of Anguilla,
who was host. In addition, OECS institutions were represented by Sir Dennis
Byron, Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and Sir Dwight
Venner, Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.
The Heads heard both outgoing Chairman, Prime
Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell of Grenada, and incoming Chairman, Prime Minister
Dr. Denzil Douglas of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Acting OECS Director-General George Goodwin
applauded Member States for helping to put the finances of the OECS Secretariat
in their best position for many years. This situation he said has helped to
build up support from the region’s international partners and silenced those
who questioned the commitment of Member States to the regional integration
movement.
Outgoing Chairman Mitchell commended his
colleagues for effectively addressing the financial problems of the organization
and their commitment to keeping payments current. He expressed particular pride
in the commitment of Member States to the achievement of an economic union.
Incoming Chairman Douglas stressed the need for urgency in creating a single
economic space. He said that if ever there was a time and an event to deepen
OECS integration, that time is now and the key event is free movement of OECS
people.
The meeting discussed ways to implement OECS
Economic Union, to establish a Civil Aviation Authority, to strengthen security
arrangements at regional airports, to mobilize resources and coordinate aid, and
to play a more integral role in the publication of future OECS Human Development
Reports
Heads unanimously lauded the meeting because of
the far-reaching decisions taken to strengthen the OECS integration movement and
expressed satisfaction with the work of the Secretariat.
The 36th Authority Meeting will be held in St. Kitts and Nevis
on the 23rd and 24th of May 2002.
Fellow Journalist Appeals For
Daniel Pearl's Release
French reporter Michel Peyard of Paris Match, who was held by the Taliban for almost a month, has sent a personal appeal to those who kidnapped Wall Street Journalist Daniel Pearl in Pakistan. He wrote:
"You know that he is not in any way
responsible for his country¹s policies. Release him and you will be
ennobled."
"On 9 October 2001, I was arrested in Goshta, Nangarhar province, while
trying to enter Afghanistan. I was handed over to the Taliban secret police (Istikhbarat).
For 26 days, I was held at Station No. 3 (Drema Hoza) in Jalalabad. Even though
this was a difficult period, the Taliban authorities acknowledged my status as a
journalist.
"Daniel Pearl is a journalist. Moreover, he is an excellent journalist,
very respected in our profession. He is a journalist first, and an American
second. He could be Pakistani or Kabuli, and he would still be a journalist
above all.
"What the Istikhbarat acknowledged in a difficult situation - war - is
something you, too, should acknowledge. I¹m sure you have understood this, by
being with Daniel. You know that he is not in any way responsible for his
country¹s policies. By releasing him you will be ennobled. And so will Islam, a
religion of compassion."
Dutch Government Cedes Work
Permits to Islands
THE BOTTOM, Saba (SGIS) - Lisa Hassell, Commissioner responsible for Labor Affairs, told the Saba Government Information Service (SGIS), that the Island Government is in the process of establishing a Labor Department.
Hassell explained that as of January 1, 2002, the issuing of work permits has been transferred by the Federal Government to the Executive Council of each Island Territory.
According to Commissioner Hassell, any business
place that has a vacancy will have to advertise that position over a two-week
period. If it is unsuccessful in recruiting a person from the island, but has a
non-Dutch national who is interested, there is a precise procedure, involving
passport photos and a variety of document submissions, to follow to make that
person eligible for a work permit.
Prime Minister Opens
New Belize Museum
BELMOPAN, Belize -- Prime Minister Said Musa
officially opened the Belize Museum on Wednesday.
"The idea of a Museum of Belize is as old as the struggle for our freedom
and independence," he said in his dedicatory speech. "It was
perceived as a part of the affirmation of our identity. The People's
United Party, whose privilege it was to lead the Belizean people to
independence, realized that to forge national unity we must first acknowledge,
respect, preserve and celebrate our cultural diversity.
The Prime Minister said the nation's culture
"is open and fragile. It needs to be nurtured and reinforced. It
is in search of greater self-esteem. And yet we have much to be proud of,
much to show the world. This is where the Museum comes in."
The recent manifesto of the PUP had pledged to create an international-class
museum that will be an inspiration to our artists and cultural workers, as well
as a place to attract Belizeans and tourists.
By Peter Adrien
We can hardly enjoy our moments of joy! It has
become an established expectation for West Indian cricket fans to have their
moments of joy quickly overshadowed by moments of sadness. Someone summed it up
thu: “We cannot have any mountaintop experience without being plunged into the
valley of despondence.”
Although this is a biblical expression describing the plight of “the natural man,” it aptly describes the experience of millions of West Indian cricket fans at home and abroad since 1995 when the West Indies Test team lost its claim to international cricket supremacy.
Just when we were beginning to celebrate the apparent revival of the West Indian cricket spirit, the outpouring of runs from the flashing blades of our West Indian batsmen (even if they are doing it in what is really a decimated regional tournament), consistent performances from our youthful cricketers, good performances from the Windward Island cricketers, the senior team (the Test team) disturbed our spirits with another of its uncompetitive batting performances in United Arab Emirates.
The first and second rounds of the 2002 Busta Cup have produced several centurions, among them some of our talented players who had failed to deliver the goods on a consistent basis. At the end of the second round of the Busta Cup matches, the centurions included Leeward Islanders Stuart Williams (113) and Runako Morton (113); Barbadian Courtney Browne (161); and Jamaican Leon Garrrick (115); Windward Islanders Devon Smith (143) and Junior Murray (105); Trinidadians Lincoln Roberts (117 and 146) and Imran Jan (110). There is an interesting competition for the opening batting positions on the West Indies Test team. The competition involves the two young incumbents, Daren Ganga and Chris Gayle, and the contenders – the experienced Nevisian Test opening batsman, Stuart Williams, the young Test opener, Jamaican Leon Garrick and the youthful hopeful, Windward Islander Devon Smith.
There is also a lively competition between Windward Islander Junior Murray and Barbadian Courtney Browne, two wicket-keepers whom the selectors uncharacteristically put up against each other in bad times, destroying the spirit of the former and choosing to go to bed with the latter in spite of his inadequacy. Even with the recent preference for the Jamaican youngster, K. Hibbert, no one is quite sure how the West Indian selectors are thinking, that is given their recent erratic behavior as reflected in the choice of Barbadian Sherwin Campbell over the youngster, Leon Garrick.
When the batting performances in the 2002 Busta Cup are seen in the context of the batting exhibition in the Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand, where D Pagon and L Simmons scored 176 and 121 respectively, the prospects for the West Indian batsmanship is indeed very encouraging, in spite of the humiliation at the hands of our opponents. In some cases, we have noticed a greater display of resilience, commitment and grit by our youngsters than from our highly paid players on the Test team. Could it be that we are bringing the youngsters a little too late into the fold? While one could correctly argue that the Asian young players seem to mature much faster than the West Indian players (the Pakistanis, Indians and Sri Lankans play much more cricket than the West Indians), there may be a case for drafting our talented young men onto the team as early as possible, even if they would not be elevated into the final 11 prematurely. The experience and the nurturing would do them well.
The consistent performances of the Windward Island batsmen helped them make history in the second round of the tournament. The southern boys defeated Barbados for the first time in 19 years when they won their second round 2002 Busta Cup match by 71 runs at Kensington Oval on Monday. On the last day, Barbados, set a daunting victory target of 314, were dismissed for 242. The 19-year-old left-arm seamer Kenroy Peters was the Windwards' bowling hero on the final day, taking three for 49 off 23 probing overs.
It was the first time the Windwards had beaten champions Barbados in the regional first-class tournament since their four-wicket triumph at Arnos Vale in St. Vincent back in 1983, when current coach Neil Williams played a key role with bat and ball.
The victory, which ended Barbados' eight-match winning streak over the Windwards Islands with 18 points, gave them joint placement at the top of the standings. This is remarkable in the light of the fact that the team ended the 2001 at the bottom of the table.
But the joy was turned to sadness with the loss to Pakistan. Although the West Indies Test team may have been thrown into the depths of despair by a couple of poor umpiring decisions, the players succumbed to Pakistans high quality pace and swing bowling. They were shot out for 171 in their second innings, leaving them short by 170 runs of their target at the Sharjah Stadium on Monday, the very same day that the Windward Islanders were celebrating the victory over the Barbadians on their own turf.
The umpiring lapses must not detract, however, from the efforts of Shoaib Akhtar, the “Menacing Tiger,” or preferably the “Rawalpindi Express,” who terrorized the West Indian batsmen, bagging five wickets and; Abdur Razzaq who supported him splendidly with four wickets. It was really a high-class display of genuine bristling Pakistan aggression. Anand Vasu, a commentator who was present, put it this way: “Something seems to inspire the best in fast bowlers from this part of the world when a win is on the cards. Like sharks circling around the slightest scent of blood, speedster Akhtar and medium-pacer Razzaq knocked the stuffing out of the Windies.” Akhtar recorded a personal best of 16-7-24-5, while Razzaq ended with figures of 7.5-1-24-4.
It was a solid win for Pakistan, but a true West Indian cannot help feel that Carl Hooper and his boys would be justified in feeling hard done. But the bottom line is our current batting and bowling stock is not competitive relative to Pakistan. Even if the first Test was not really a mismatch as I had predicted, the differences between the two teams were evident.
But in the context of the new developments, there is hope. The cricketing developments are pointing to the making of a stock of batters who could possibly take us back to our winning ways.
The million-dollar question is, can the selectors be trusted to select our best available talents without fear or favour?
Peter
Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a
freelance photographer. He may be contacted at www.adreinsenterprise.com
or at e-mail: info@adriensenterprises.com
By Prof.
Howard A. Fergus
As someone who has been promoting the development
of a Montserratian literature, I naturally welcome the most recent release, Harvest
Programmes for Caribbean Churches, by Mr. C. T. John, a former Financial
Secretary. More of our people can and need to write, and there are occasions
when it is prudent for us to collaborate in the interest of quality. (This is
not a comment on Mr. John’s work).
Mr. John’s publication, which is modest in size
(39 pages), belongs to the domain of religious literature. Methodist harvests,
with cantata, dialogue and recitations against the background of shapely and
colourful fruits and vegetables, are an aspect of our culture. The festival is a
rich subject for creative pieces of all sorts – poetry included. Mr. John has
preserved the pattern in his volume and has brought a freshness and creativity
to the theme. As Joan Meade (Rev.) observes in her valuable Foreword; the volume
“derives from the litanies of the life of C. T. John and the Salem Methodist
Church Family”. This helps to impart reality and emotional richness to the
booklet.
The volume may be modest in size, but it is
ambitious in objective as it aspires to Caribbean-wide usage. And not
unrealistically, for Flowers, Fruits and Harvest Time, the themes of the
programmes offered, are not only Caribbean, but are of universal interest. I
have no doubt that works in this genre exist, but this one has a Montserratian
and Caribbean flavour, and therefore a special appeal.
I am not writing a critical review, so I make no
particular comment on the literary merit of the individual pieces or the depth
of thought, at this stage. This is merely a welcome word with a ready
appreciation of the debutante effort, the creative format and the potential for
expansion. The packaging of writings, as with other commodities, is important,
and the Montserrat Printing and Publishing has got it right. The volume is
attractive both inside and outside. I commend it for adoption, adaptation or as
a stimulus for further creation. Congratulations Mr. John!
By Justin ‘Hero’
Cassell
(Agricultural Development Officer)
“EAT
FROM THE LAND, NOT FROM THE CAN”
PROMOTING CONTAINER VEGETABLE GARDENING - CONTINUED
GROWING
MEDIA
Good growing media are very important in Container production.
A good growing medium does four things
It anchors roots and provides physical support for the top.
It stores nutrient elements.
It stores water
It is a source of oxygen for root growth.
Soils containing large quantities of clay and silt should not be used. Because the particles of clay and silt are very small, they clog up air pores in the soil and keep the plant's roots from obtaining enough oxygen. When this happens, the plants usually die.
In general, a mixture has three parts
1) Soil
2) Organic Matter
3) Coarse Aggregate
SOIL
Use only light, sandy soil that is very porous. It might be necessary to add fair amounts of coarse ghaut sand to existing soils to acquire similar characters to that of sandy soil as the latter is virtually non-existent in the north of the island.
ORGANIC
MATTER
Adds air space and keeps a mixture from compacting. It has the opposite effect of clay and salt.
AGGREGATES
Coarse aggregates are used to improve pore space and drainage. Sand and gravel are very good examples
MIXING
GUIDE
(1) 2 parts sandy loam soil (peat moss or potting soil)
(2) 1 part organic matter
(3) 1 part coarse aggregate
Limestone
may have to be added after testing to adjust the P.H. to 6.5
What Surprise?
The island now rocks with dissension
When new fares one happens to mention.
Why the sudden distress
Because DFID pays less?
You haven't been paying attention.
DTEZ Humbug
'Safety,' the cosmetic rouge,
Slick as an Olympics luge,
Enables the sentry
To block daytime entry,
And tints the unblushing Scrooge.
Jus wonderin why the one eye man no go look for his innocent children and leave people business alone.
Jus wonderin why there is always war in St. Peters clinic.
Jus wonderin why people spread others faults around rather than tell them to their face.
Jus wonderin who is always at the clinic with people’s problems.
Jus wonderin why the maid don’t leave the people starch and sugar, they need help there.
Jus wonderin if our tale-bearing culture will have a speedy death.
Jus wonderin what life would be like on Montserrat if we had no one to complain about.
Jus wonderin what friends are for.
Jus wonderin what the story was about the pastor and the Guyanese in Woodlands.
Jus wonderin if that MP is playin some kind-o-Gorgo walkin around intimidatin people.
Jus wonderin if the child mother really consider where she come from.
Jus wonderin if Montserrat is ready to meet the March deadline to sign up for free movement of people in OECS.
Jus wonderin if we need permission from our masters to sign.
Jus wonderin what will become of this airport saga.
Jus wonderin if we will really ever get an airstrip or wait to go back to Bramble.
Jus wonderin what dem who can't travel on ferry will do since dey will have to leave before Bramble come back.
Jus wonderin if now that we back in the 50s if we could bring back Ole Willie and Mass Bab.
Jus wonderin if since we have one de daughter dey now if she could mek any differunce.
Jus wonderin how much worse it will get.
Jus wonderin wha happen to the people (politician and company) who were prepared to start the fuel station in Salem.
Jus wonderin if it is true they had to give way to the Chief and his son.
Jus wonderin how come Delta fuel price is so high in Montserrat when it is less than half in all the other islands.
Jus wonderin who else benefiting from the huge in-take for the high price which Monlec has to pay.
Jus wonderin when people will know that only one maybe two of them guaranteed pensioners politician don't really care about the rest of Montserratians here especially those who have homes outside here.
Jus wonderin how fooly people could get.
Jus wonderin what mix-up we have to endure, now that the hand gan furda in a de lion mout.
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