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Report Recounts Social Distress of Montserratians in Antigua

by Staff Correspondent

Urgent consideration for the housing needs of evacuees, public assistance for the elderly and vulnerable, and immediate attention to the psycho-social problems of displaced Montserratians are some of the recommendations coming out of a social survey done among the Montserrat evacuees in Antigua.

The survey, which was done by Blondina Howes last November, surveyed a sample population of more than 2,000 displaced islanders on the neighbouring island.

Among the various needs identified, the report says that housing is the most serious issue Montserratians living in Antigua have to contend with.

"Sixty two percent of those interviewed live in rented accommodations, paying from $275 per month for two rooms with no amenities to $1,000 per month for an unfurnished two-bedroom house, with light, water and toilet facilities installed. The remainder live mainly with family and friends, or in church buildings," the report said.

According to the report, this situation has been aggravated by the high incidence of unemployment. Some pathetic situations were presented as evidence of the terrible situation in which some families have found themselves.

The report says:

"A family of eight, with children aged 18 years to 2 years, rent a two-bedroom house. The father has difficulties maintaining his family and paying rent. He says he manages by taking one day at a time. The reported showed the unemployment rate to be greatest among single parents and single women.

"Our findings indicate that many of those who work do so intermittently," " the report says.

"Some work ‘off and on’, ‘when work is available’ or ‘two or three days a week.’ "The result of this scenario is poverty and stress. The poverty shows up especially among single mothers with children who, according to the report, find it difficult to pay rent and utility bills, or to buy food and clothing.

"According to our findings," the report says, "the situation has also led to worry and anxiety for some. When asked what would make life better in Antigua for him, a young man responded ‘Cannot think right now, my head is full up with the cares of life.’ "

Problems among school age children also arose during the social review. While Montserratian children are resettled and doing well in schools across the land, several causes for concern were identified. These included absenteeism from school due to headaches, or declines in the level of school work or interest in school work. The report said the level of stress in these children has reached significant proportions.

"Many of the children speak continually of returning to Montserrat," the report says. "Some of the older students suggested that counseling sessions and stress management workshops should be held for children."

Based on these findings, the report recommends three new programmes:

• a Social Unit to respond to the psycho-social needs of displacement

• a Housing Program for Montserratians who wish to remain in Antigua and

• a Public Assistance Program for elderly and other vulnerable persons.

Fire Destroys 3 Unprotected Wooden Shelters in Manjack

by Bennette Roach

The T-111 structures were completely gutted by the fast moving fire.

In the February 27, 1998 issue of the Reporter, the column 'Jus Wonderin' lamented that there were no fire hydrants or fire extinguishers to fight or protect against fire at the new housing complexes being built in the north.

On Sunday March 8 a fire broke out at one of the dorm complex in Manjack, destroying three units in the five-building compound. Each resident lost everything they had in their household.

These houses were built last year when efforts were put in place to relocate persons who had to move from the south areas, some of which are now devastated by the raging volcano. They were built of T-111 and were all wood.

A former fire chief Reynold White had criticised the buildings saying that they were too close in the event of fire. He was proven right when the fire, which began in one of the end houses, responded to favourable winds and quickly destroyed two more before fire fighters made up of the Fire Service, Defence Force, Police, church goers and neighbours prevented the fire from consuming the other buildings.

The Chief Minister David Brandt immediately went on radio expressing sadness over the loss and announced his government's decision to provide an immediate grant of $1,000 to help the occupants of the lost units to buy essentials.  (See how to make your own donation)

Governor Abbott, showing sympathy in a press release the following day, said: "I was deeply saddened by the fire on 8 March. I am, however, grateful that there was no loss of life or serious injury." He also expressed support for the Government decision to donate $1,000 to each of "the victims who have lost most if not all of their "worldly goods."

Several others, including Pastor Abraham Riley of the Pentecostal Christian Assembly, publicly joined in expressing their sorrow. Pastor Riley gave the victims word of comfort:

"To all of you who are suffering as a result of Sunday’s fire, from the Montserrat District of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the West Indies, our sincere prayers are with you. We are doing what we can to help. Let me remind you, however, where there is life there is hope. God will help."

One Montserratian family in Antigua, who wishes not to be named, has donated $1,500 to the victims of the fire.

The Red Cross put out an appeal, which it withdrew a couple days later, after an overwhelming response.

The Montserrat E-mail group on the Internet launched an appeal, while the St. Patrick’s Credit Union sought support for its plan to make available a refrigerator and a stove to each household.

Less than two weeks ago, the Rotary Club in Montserrat addressed the lack of fire-fighting equipment and had began working on a program to equip shelters and temporary housing with fire extinguishers and train occupants in their use.

It is reported that the Manjack fire started with a child’s playing with matches in a bedroom.

Some of the victims reacted as follows after Sunday’s Fire:

• "I have lost everything I have ever owned," one victim said. Another indicated that he has lost all of his "worldly possessions."

• "I have lost everything important to me. All my instruments. Music is very important to me. I intend to just start over again. Get some instruments or get someone to help me."

• "I have lost my passport, bank book and a lot of other things."

The fire came dangerously close to wiping out the whole compound.

By Bennette Roach

DONATIONS

The St. Patrick's Co-op Credit Union in Montserrat is hoping to make available a refrigerator and stove to each household who suffered in the recent Manjack fire. Any assistance towards this project may be sent to:

The Montserrat Red Cross would appreciate donations which would be specifically targetted for assisting the fire victims so if you would like to send something to help it would be much appreciated. Cheques marked for 'the Manjack fire victims' should come to:

Anyone seeing the dome early in the week might have marveled at what may be termed as spectacular, the sight of what the scientists call a ‘spine’ towering over the massive, two and a half year old dome.

Scientists up to Friday were unable to confirm whether this had broken off, due to continuous cloud cover and in spite of a number of reported rockfalls. Those of us still here may recall the spine that hung over the eastern and north eastern side of the dome prior to June last year, and what happened when it finally came down.

For some time now many people continue to refer to the volcano as being quiet, no doubt aided by the brief volcano reports now being given each day. Scientists, however, warn that as long as the dome continues to grow anything that has happened before or worse, can occur.

This mistaken or perceived quiescence does seem to permeate throughout, and it would appear that the vigilance that is needed to pursue our future is waning, with the final advent in the activity of temporary housing, which of course was dangerously overdue. There is still no sign of assistance towards permanent housing, which is very critical to keeping, and/or bringing back to Montserrat another level of the work force.

The announcement of Governor Abbott that DFID is looking for another financial partner to go forward with the assisted housing mortgage scheme, is merely more of the same, and can be seen as further attempts to slow the process of rebuilding, reducing more and more the viability of our existence in Montserrat.

There has been debate about whether the Chief Minister’s strategy, if that’s is a fair term, is bearing fruits or further delaying the process. To be certain there must be some strategy on our part and certainly by government to move forward.

It has not been the order of things for us to plan well into our future, but it is ‘high time’ we begin to do this. There is no way we can expect to make our ‘fortitude and resilience’ worthwhile, if our Ministers of Government do not have the minds to act outside ‘of business as usual’. Business as usual can be any behaviour or attitude peculiar to our government officials in the past. Anything that resembles that is ancient. The times we now live in and the crisis that we are facing, will not go away with a mere glance or a whisper. Every facet of life in Montserrat must be taken on board.

Management of this little ravaged island requires plenty of minds and good ones. We have heard of development plans and it is being whispered that no effort is being made to move these plans forward. Sources are claiming also that our government is playing the lead part in holding up the process. Little information is forthcoming in finding out the status of things. The time is upon us when we have to snap out of the quiescence that is prevailing and continue the move forward.

It is truly not a simple position with all the pressures and not knowing if the scientists are accurate, but after nearly three years, should we be joining those who want to stretch what they say and create doubts for ourselves? Once again, it is up to us to recognise and take action on any initiatives that will show that we are for real.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No Praises, Start an Enquiry

Dear Mr. Editor,

Here we are, about to enter the 21st century, and we Montserratians have not begun to take the responsibility for our destiny. We will not grow up. How long will we be children of benevolent Fathers? How long will we be non-persons to condescending authorities?

When those in authority praise works that they know are not up to standard, and when we accept those Praises for works that we know to be substandard, less than maximum efforts in our job performance, then we become non-persons who cannot do anything unless the plantation boss is around.

Undeserved praise is designed to prevent those who did the work from correcting the errors in their work, or to prevent growth. Forever it will be said, "See, we could teach them all we want but they can never do it." Do you wonder why many of us think that only a white person of whatever sex can teach us and manage us so that the work can be completed?

Take the fire in Manjack last Sunday. No fire department anywhere that I know of will accept praise for the loss of three dwellings of any type construction and under any environmental conditions. Instead of praises, an inquiry should be instituted, not to praise or assign blame but to find out and correct what went wrong.

How did the fire start, and spread so quickly? Something did go wrong and 32 men, women and children suffered.

On Sunday, March 8, a tragedy took place on Montserrat that was long in the making. Fortunately there was no fatality. In a community such as Montserrat, this is a very major incident. That no lives were lost can be attributed to the time of the day. That only three dwellings were consumed by the fire was very fortunate indeed. In an area where there are more persons than adequate space, where buildings are constructed too close together, diseases and fires are some of the byproducts; when a fire starts in such areas it becomes very difficult to extinguish and soon becomes a conflagration.

When a fire involves a building or a dwelling and consumes this and other buildings the causes are many. For this reason and the interest of the public, those in authority and the Fire Department, because they are directly concerned, must convene an inquiry to find the cause of fire, how it started, why it spread so quickly; what was the action of the Fire Department before the report of the fire, who received the report, and what did he or she do? In addition , was the report of the fire delayed? How long did it take for the Fire Department to arrive at the fire? Was that a delayed response? How best can you correct what can be attributed to this tragedy?

Now that I have stated the above, I wish to put my opinion on record, based on information I received during the fire. The loss of three dwellings, totally consumed by fire, should be considered as a function of ineffective administration and management of the Fire Department. It shows a lack of discipline, fire-fighting and fire suppression on the part of the Incident Commander on the scene..

There were allegations of: (1) No one at the fire station to take the report of the fire; (2) A delayed response for Geralds; (3) A relative had to drive to his home to wake up a firefighter and drive him to his assigned station so that he could drive the fire truck to the fire. If these allegations are true, they should be treated as very serious offenses that merit immediate written and posted directives for correcting the errors.

Due to the conditions under which the people of Montserrat live, a fire department should be manned 24 hours a day and be stationed in areas with access to the public. The Stations should be equipped with radios and personnel must remain at their duty stations while on duty.

Between fires and/or emergencies, the personnel on duty should be maintaining the gear, tools and apparatus and pursuing the study of fires and fire tactics. The fact that discipline of fire-fighting and maintenance of the tools are lacking in the Montserrat Fire Department can be seen by the several lengths of hose have been lying along the side of the street from just beyond the school in Salem to near the police checkpoint. The hose line is being run over by vehicles and ground into the volcanic ash. Hose once used must be washed , rolled or dried and put away to await the next incident. The hose line described above has been in this position for over a week, as I have seen.

Before I close, I would be remiss if I did not comment on the fire in Man jack. If the response was a delayed one and on arrival the fire ground commander’s opinion was that the first dwelling could not be saved, his attention should have been concentrated on the buildings to the leeward side of the burning building, that is the side where the wind is taking the radiated heated. Correct fire tactics protect the building with a water curtain.

If on arrival the fire building can be saved, that is the four walls and roof are intact, an aggressive interior attack with the 500 gallons of water carried in the truck would be sufficient to darken down the fire so that it can be completed extinguished with a garden hose or hand buckets.

The strong winds and the fact that automobiles prevented the fire truck from getting near the fire are just excuses. Fire departments provide results and not excuses. If the department can stretch a hose line of the length as seen in Salem, then they should have done so in Manjack.

Thirty-two homeless persons demand not praise but censures and reprimands and the Emergency services need more training in dry runs.

Note: Mr. Reynold White is a former fire chief on Montserrat and has served in the fire service in the U S A for many years before taking up the position prior to retiring.

Montserrat Anglicans Share $100,000 in Aid

On Sunday, March 8, Anglicans in Montserrat were beneficiaries of financial support from two church sources.

The funds, totaling more than $100,000, are designed to offer support during the volcanic crisis ongoing in Montserrat since July 18, 1995, came from funds in the Diocese within the Province of the West Indies and the Presiding Bishops Fund for World Relief.

Just over 400 adult Anglicans and just under 100 children, resident in Montserrat, benefited from the money that was donated after Sunday’s worship at two locations in St. John’s and St. Peters, where church services are held each Sunday. These take place in the Anglican Church in St. John’s, while in St. Peter’s the services are held in the Anglican Rectory, as the church is still being used as a shelter.

A spokesperson for the Anglican Church said the distribution went very well as most of the Anglicans attended services that Sunday to receive their checks. This person also said that the distribution was made on the proportion of two to one between adults and children.

Police Department Understaffed

The Royal Montserrat Police Force reports it is 23 members short of the full complement of officers, now numbering 72 instead of 95.

This puts a heavy strain of the few resources in the Force. Inside information suiggests that some member are not satisfied with the compensation they are receiving for the demands placed on them by the volcanic crisis. The force currently is made of one commissioner, one deputy commissioner, two superintendents, four inspectors, 13 sergeants, four corporals and 47 constables.

St. Augustine School Students Compete in Sports Event

The St. Augustine Catholic School this week celebrated their sports meet.

Chief Minister and Minister of Sport the Honorable David Brandt was on hand to open the event.

"You have all practiced for today," he said. "I know you will thoroughly enjoy the competition. All of you will not come first, but what is important is that all of you do participate and do your best. Just as you all cannot come first in sports, so it is in life. Several of you will be in the same class, everyone cannot come first. Sports teach this fundamental principle. If you play you will want your team to win and win according to the rules.".

Mr. Brandt commended the Catholic School for their efforts in preparing what he called "makeshift" ground for the children to have sports. He assured them that a proper sports park will become available.

"I want to congratulate the persons who are responsible for doing this," he said. "I hope that by next year you will not have to participate in a place like this, but you will be able to find a proper ground."

Yellow House with a total of 176 points was the winner of the St. Augustine Catholic sports meet. Red House came in second with 172. Blue trailed in third with 151 points.

In the exercise category, Blue House walked away with first place with 72 points. Yellow and Red House were second and third respectively with 67 and 60 points each.

The march pass was taken by Blue House and the road race was taken by Yellow House.

One teacher reported, "It was not all lessons though, and I am sure the athletes were not conscious of such. Tag relay, balloon walk, bottle relay, musical chairs, and exercise to music provided a lot of clean fun with the underlying competition."

One general very kind comment went to the Principal and Staff, and those parents who worked hard in the background as well as the RMDF are to be congratulated for such a fantastic effort at letting children enjoy themselves as children even in this crisis.

Three Montserratians Participate in Workshop on Emergencies

Three representatives from Montserrat took part in a three-day emergency Management Workshop in Antigua on contingency planning for volcanoes and other disasters.The Montserrat representatives were Franklyn Michaels, head of the Emergency Department; Horatio Tuitt, Logistics Officer, and Richard Aspin, Media Coordinator.

The Montserrat representatives acted as resource persons and made some presentations.

The final day of the workshop was a field trip to Montserrat, in which participants saw first hand how Montserrat deals with its volcano emergency.

The workshop was sponsored by Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency.

Island Joblessness Drops to 6 percent Level

The unemployment rate on Montserrat has fallen dramatically, the Government of Montserrat reported this week.

The recently completed Montserrat Social Survey shows an unemployment rate of 6 percent, down from 20 percent in 1996. The employment rate stands at 56.3 percent.

The low unemployment rate is attributed to the large number of people who have relocated off island, particularly those who were unemployed.

The survey, conducted by the Department of Statistics, notes that the labour force has shrunk to 1,517 workers.

According to the survey, the government employs the most people on the island, with public administration and defence accounting for 33.1 percent of the workforce.

Construction accounts for almost 14 percent, health and social work 10.7 per-cent, and wholesale and retail 8.7 percent.

Red Cross Officials Content With Society's Performance

Mrs. Elspeth Thomas, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Mr. David Alexander, Head of International Aid Department , British Red Cross Society, made their announced visit to Montserrat for two days beginning on Monday this week.

Mrs. Elspeth Thomas and Mr. David Alexander,

The two British Red Cross officials, as guests of His Excellency and Mrs. Abbott, had a full itinerary while visiting. They were scheduled to visit the St. Peter's Shelter, Cavalla Hill Shelter and the Golden Years Home for the Elderly at Brades, as well as to the site of a new children's playground which the Red Cross hopes to erect at Lookout.

They met with First Aiders, volunteers and the Montserrat Red Cross Advisory Council. On Monday evening they were guests of honour at a reception, at which Mrs. Thomas and Mr. Alexander were introduced to many of those associated with the Red Cross here in Montserrat.

Speaking with The Reporter, both Mrs. Thomas and Mr. Alexander expressed their satisfaction at their findings on the conduct of the Red Cross Society and its involvement in providing assistance and relief during the on-going volcanic crisis.

Mrs. Thomas remarked, "I was most pleased to hear the Chief Minister, during our visit with him, referring to the Red Cross 'as a sign of hope in the time of crisis.' This reflects and really is the vision statement of the Red Cross."

They both expressed satisfaction at seeing the active support that the Red Cross had been offering to the island, joining many others in pointing out the resolve and resilience of the people still living on the island. The two were quick to note that the things they have been told about the island were not quite the picture they see, having been in Montserrat.

Both Mrs. Thomas and Mr. Alexander, when they left, traveled on to Jamaica to participate in a British Red Cross Society (BRCS) Branches/Committee Meeting in Kingston, Jamaica, which began on March 11.

Jamaica is celebrating activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the Jamaica Red Cross. The National Society has invited its colleagues from across the region to participate in the first ever Caribbean Red Cross Summit Presidents' Summit, March 12-14 In Kingston.

In a release from the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC ), it reported the Jamaica Red Cross President, Dr. Audley Betton as saying, "The Presidents' Summit is an opportunity for Red Cross leaders to renew their commitment to regional cooperation and discuss ways we can strengthen and expand the vital services we provide."

Caribbean business leaders have also been invited to a special forum during the summit to learn more about Red Cross programmes in the region.

The release from the IFRC reminds that the Red Cross is known throughout the world as a charitable and volunteer organisation. It helps the most vulnerable people in communities across the Caribbean and this help is made possible through the support from the public in time, expertise and financial donations. It says "help is always needed and help is always appreciated. To learn more about how you can help, contact your local Red Cross Society."

5-Man DFID Team Hears From Top Civil Servants

A five-member Budgetary Aid Mission, from the British Government concluded a visit to Montserrat this week during which it conferred on matters of housing, development, and an airport and seaport.The team included Richard Teuten, head of the Department For International Development’s Montserrat Unit; Economic Advisor Charles Clempt; Doug Houston, head of DFID Montserrat and Antigua, Bill Baker, Institutional Advisor at DFID, and economist Nick Bailey.

They met high-ranking Montserrat civil servants, who included Financial Secretary C.T. John and Accountant General Geraldine Cabey.

Other Civil Servants had an opportunity to meet and make presentations to the visiting team.

Chairperson Eugene Skerritt said the meeting was very successful. He explained:

"We looked at the area of housing, which is topical and important for us on Montserrat; we looked at the question of a strategy in terms of short, medium and long-term development; we looked at the whole issue of the Montserrat Government’s interface with other governments, so that we can at least access help in order to continue with our development, and we looked at the issue of us having an air and sea port,"

Skerritt said that it is critical to have an airport for fixed-wing aircraft in order to facilitate commerce, economic growth and travel.

He said that it is crucial that the housing plans take into account the need for people to bring families back on island.

"We need to look at the various groups and sub groups within the community. We cannot just think of single or double units. We need to look at the question of family and the need to provide housing so that those who are here now can acquire houses that will enable their families to return," he said.

Without stating a reference, Skerritt said the three proposed locations for the new airport were discussed.

"We looked at the implication for the current housing development at Look Out and Gerald’s and what it would mean to try and put an airstrip in those areas," he said.

He said that the civil servants are awaiting more action as a result of the discussions they have had.

OECS Team Wants to Help Build a Skilled Labor Force

In 1993 the Organisation of East Caribbean States (OECS) conducted a Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Sector Survey throughout its region. The finding was evidenced by the high level of fragmentation that existed at the national level with respect to technical and vocational training, certification and accreditation of these skills; and in involving the private sector and industry in these training programmes.On Monday and Tuesday of this week, Jamaican Quince Francis, chief technical director of Heart Trust, and Montserratian Paul Payne, TVET Coordinator visited Montserrat. Mr. Payne explained the mission to Montserrat "against the background of OECS education reform strategy, which in its efforts to reorganize the educational system in the OECS has negotiated with various funding agencies to support activities of the reform."

L to R Quince Francis and Paul Payne

He said that the technical and vocational education and training capacity of the OECS has been enhanced by support of GTA, (German Technical Support Agency). He explained that "the Germans agreed to support an activity that would allow the member states of the OECS to establish a national training mechanism. This is in line with the thrust of the education legislation, where one section addresses the establishment of a mechanism for coordination of training."

While here, Messrs. Payne and Francis spoke to all possible persons involved in this; the private sector, through the Chamber of Commerce and their representatives, the National Development Foundation, St. Patrick’s Cooperative Credit Union, the Ministry of Education, other government ministries, the Department of Administration, with particular attention to the training unit, and also the Chief Minister and officers in the Chief Minister’s office. They also met with the Development Unit.

Mr. Payne explained their purpose is "to solicit comments from persons as to what they conceive as a way of taking this effort forward. I think the important aspect of this mission is to insure that whatever obtains is a national effort, owned by the community, owned by Montserratians, the idea that they are going to want this to happen."

Mr. Payne, as coordinator of the TVET programme, introduced Mr. Francis, who has been employed as a consultant. His job is to synthesize all these ideas that have come from the various players and put it together. "Hopefully we’ll be able to submit a report to the country in terms of the way forward," he said.

Frances explained his function and responsibility: "I am seeking to speak with the various interest groups into involving the business of planning and organizing and delivering training, and to see the extent to which there is an organized or rational systems approach being taken."

He said he was looking at what are the various agencies, institutions and programs that are delivering skilled workers or trained workers; "to see exactly how the labor force is being enhanced by these outputs."

He noted that the Education Ministry is primarily the only delivering agency right here in Montserrat. He expressed his findings and noted that "the situation here is rather peculiar given the current situation and circumstances. We have found out that you have a tremendous shortage of labor, skilled labor, at this time. So we are looking into strategies whereby we could respond within the circumstances, to insure that you have a labor force that can get development back on track."

How was the situation different in Montserrat from the other territories? Francis responded:

"In those cases they have a substantial number of persons on the ground. They have a large percentage of unemployment. They have a wide variety of skills training initiatives. Unlike the other territories, you have a shortage of manpower right now. You have a shortage of skills, and so any kind of interventions we are going to propose will have to be much different from what we propose in the other territories."

Francis noted the biggest challenge facing Montserrat for any work program. "It’s most challenging. The one constraining factor that’s inhibiting the return of Montserratians is the same one that would likely inhibit the inflow of foreign workers, which is housing and accommodations."

The delegation hopes to have its reports out to the countries by the end of April, so that the countries can look at the recommendations and suggest any amendments to those recommendations.

"We are hoping to circulate this to all the groups to look at so that in fact they can have their responses. I think what is key here is the activity between the time that we agree to establish these mechanisms, that some dialogue continue among the groups."

Mr. Francis pointed out that the territories have been responding. "We have a regional advisory committee that is seeking to bring a very common awareness within the region that if we are going to combat the onslaught of the global competition, if we are going to be able to stand up to this, then we have to firstly ensure that we have the proper work force, both technically skilled and capable, and that we have to be sensitive to standards. As we go through the region, people are saying, that is key."

Discussing the seriousness of these requirements, Francis noted, "Even as we attempt to export, we are confronted with standards, and it is something that we have to incorporate in our own work."

On the matter of skills, he added:

"We have to begin to realize that is something that we have to plan for and begin to invest our own resources in if we are going to, in the long term, take the region up to the level that it can sustain itself."

The whole TVET idea is not entirely new, according to Mr. Payne, "Several projects have come on stream, way back in 1987-88," he said.

Legislation is seen as necessary to accomplish the competence and standards aimed for. "Whatever areas of competence are required, legislation proposes that they will establish examinations for stating the levels of competency, establish standards and also carry out the certification," Mr. Payne said.

The delegation was making its fourth stop on its round of territories in the OECS, having visited Grenada, St. Vincent and Dominica prior to coming to Montserrat.

Concluding the press interview, Mr. Francis pointed out that they are not starting from scratch. "We used existing standards from Britain in the various occupations, and we established what is called lead groups from industry made up of technical, competent and experienced professionals in the field, and these persons ratified those standards, agreed that they were appropriate and put them before a council similar to the one that we are proposing here. This is working and we have shared that model in the region, and the region has endorsed that model also."

Businesses Urged to Volunteer Data

The Government of Montserrat reported this week it is preparing its National Accounts.The annual exercise, which began recently, involves the collection of data from the commercial sector.

Terisina Bodkin, Chief Statistician in the Department of Statistics, noted the reluctance of the business community to participate in the process and issued this appeal:

"We encourage all members of the commercial sector to participate in the exercise. The information gathered will be used by investors and international public and private sector agencies in assisting Montserrat. If the economic and other statistics are not available it will only slow down the process of bringing assistance or investments to the island."

Commercial operators are asked to note that during the exercise officers from the Department of Statistics will be visiting their businesses to conduct interviews.

Frank Savage to Become Governor of BVI in July

This story is from a press release issued in Tortola last week and made available to us by the Island Sun newspaper of that island. Tortola like Montserrat is a British Overseas Territory.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London announced on March 5:

" ‘The Queen has been pleased to approve the appointment of Frank Savage, CMG, OBE, LVO to be Governor of the British Virgin Islands in succession to David Mackilligin, CMG. Mr. Savage will take up his new appointment in July 1998.’

"Francis (Frank) Joseph Savage was born in 1943 and joined the Diplomatic Service in 1966. He has since held appointments in Cairo, Washington, Aden, Dusseldorf, Peking and Lagos, as well as in FCO at various times. He was Chief Welfare Officer of the Diplomatic Service in 1990-1993, and Governor of Montserrat 1993-1997. He is at present serving in London. He and his wife Veronica married in 1966 and have two grown sons."Mr. Savage was appointed Lieutenant in the Victoria Order (LVO) in 1986, Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1989, and was made a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (CMG) in 1996.

"In commenting about the news, Governor David Mackilligin said:

"‘My family and I will be very sorry to leave the BVI at the end of June when my three-year appointment comes to an end. I need for family reasons to return to UK and will be taking my accumulated leave before retiring from Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service, in which I have served nearly 37 years.

" ‘I am looking forward to continuing to serve here for the next four months; and thereafter I certainly aim to maintain my deep interest in and personal links with the BVI and other countries in the Caribbean. This is an area of the world of which, as I hope is generally known here by now, I am particularly fond.

" ‘I am delighted that my successor is to be Frank Savage, who is a friend as well as a colleague. He is a senior and highly respected member of the Diplomatic Service who will bring a wealth of experience to his appointment in the BVI. He has of course already served with distinction in very difficult circumstances as Governor of Montserrat, and knows this area of the Caribbean well.’"

Montserrat See Housing as Top Priority

The majority of persons on Montserrat see the construction of houses as a top priority in the development of the north of the island.During the just completed Social Survey Montserratians were asked to place nine development priorities in order of preference. 80 % of households participated in the exercise, 12 % gave all the items equal priority, as they felt all should be provided.

The most preferred priority was given a score of 9, and the least preferred given a score of 1.

The public’s priorities are as follows; housing is deemed more important , with an average score of 7.4; a hospital (7.0); school (6.9); and an airport (6.6).

The other priorities in order of preference were a seaport, commercial centers, community centers, theatre/auditorium, recreational facilities.

Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank

In a recent press release the Eastern Caribbean Home Mortgage Bank (ECHMB) with its headquarters in St Kitts/Nevis says it has made its initial entry in the secondary mortgage market. ECHMB is pleased to announce that it has concluded three transactions in mortgage financing.The three transactions for a combined amount of over $14.0 million will enhance the lending capacity of primary lenders and facilitate the process of home ownership.

The ECHMB sees these initial transactions as a signal of the increasing maturity of the mortgage market in the sub region and looks forward to enhancing this process through its activities.

Cable & Wireless Works to Greet the Millennium

The Tortola newspaper, Island Sun reports that a team from Cable & Wireless (C & W) recently were guests on a radio talk show on Tortola’s ZBVI Radio station to discuss the effect the millennium can have on the computerised world, unless proper procedures are put in place before the end of 1999.These two gentlemen, Messrs. David Atterley and Henry Victorin from Barbados and St. Lucia respectively are currently on Montserrat with Cable and Wireless to address the same problems. They are one of at least three C & W teams moving around on their behalf, and are assigned to this region.

In Tortola, the C & W team explained that the potential problem stemmed from programming methods used between the 1960s and 1980s.

Basically, to conserve valuable file space, computer programmers opted to use a two-digit date rather than use four digits. As a result, computers which have been so programmed may not recognise the year 2000, but think instead that it is 1900 or 1800. Unless the affected software and hardware are updated to make them compliant with the millennium, computers will also not recognise the year 2000 as leap year. This could potentially cause havoc with approximately 80 percent of the world’s computerised systems as any records, which are dated, may be corrupted.

C & W’s Marketing Manager, Chris Carpenter, pointed out that the problem lies not only with computers but also with anything that has embedded electronic chip technology.

This includes elevators, fire alarms, telephone exchanges, security and entry systems, credit and debit cards, ATMs, traffic lights, faxes, phones, video recorders and automated billing systems, to name a few.

To address this problem, Cable & Wireless urges its customers to set up an in-house programme. Firstly, it recommends that a complete inventory of all electronic equipment be taken and analysed to determine whether each item on the list is or is not millennium compliant. The next step should be to prepare a project plan to replace or upgrade the necessary software/hardware. It is suggested that businesses target the end of this year (1998) to complete this project, in order that they will have a full year to test any software/hardware changes before the Dec. 31, 1999.

Cable & Wireless has also assured its customers that it also seriously addressed this problem. The company has set up worldwide and regional teams to assist its individual business units in analysing what in-house changes have to be completed. Globally, the teams are focusing on the company’s network equipment and interconnect with other Telecommunications providers.

Locally, the focus will be on ensuring that all customer premises’ equipment (including PABXs and digital phones) as well as C & W’s complete range of products and services are fully compliant with the year 2000.

This includes a further investment of US $1 million to upgrade its telephone exchange and in-house computer network. Other aspects being addressed are supplier management and legal matters surrounding the issue.

Over the next few months, Cable & Wireless will issue recommendations for addressing the millennium compliance problem throughout the local media. It will also be hosting a series of briefing sessions for its business customers, in order to aid them in their preparations.

The foregoing was for Tortola, but here in Montserrat, it is expected that C & W will also spend substantial sums in upgrading its equipment and it is also expected that management here, will soon advise the government, the public and business places, providing an awareness and how it will assist them in addressing the problem, particularly where C & W’s equipment are in use.

CTO Hands Over Check for Montserrat

On Wednesday, February 18, 1998 the Caribbean Tourism Organization(CTO), presented Montserrat with a check for US$6,500 (EC$17,440) during the Caricom Ministers of Air Transportation and Tourism Meeting, held in Barbados last week.

This check represented further funds, collected on Montserrat’s behalf, from organizations and institutions after an appeal was sent out by CTO of which Montserrat is a member. A previous check of US$12,000 was handed over to the Government of Montserrat last year.

The Honorable Rupert Weekes, Minister of Communication & Works and Miss Ernestine Cassell, Director of Tourism, who represented Montserrat at the meetings, were on hand to receive the check from the Honorable Billie Miller, Deputy Prime Minister of Barbardos and Mr. Jean Holder, Secretary General of CTO, during the welcome ceremony of the Caricom Ministers Meeting.

In thanking CTO, on behalf of the Government and people of Montserrat, for its tireless efforts to assist Montserrat, Minister Weekes indicated that the funds will be put to good use and further encouraged member states of CTO and other private sector organizations which were present, to continue to support and assist the people of Montserrat.

Potions, Poisons and Panaceas

Many of the plants that grow in Montserrat are not well known in the wider world. Still less do people in other countries know about the ways in which they can be used for medicinal purposes, or to make food and drink, or as poisons, dyes, or building materials. A handsome new book by David Brussell, "Potions, Poisons, and Panaceas - An Ethnobotanical Study of Montserrat", aims to make this knowledge available to all.Tea made from ramgoat bush, we read, is good for colds, pain in the bowels, and as a general conditioner. Tea from the roots and seeds of anise is sipped to counter hoarseness and indigestion. Tea from the rainfall tree helps fevers, colds, and asthma. Seeds of grey nicker, very poisonous when raw, are boiled and made into a drink to treat kidney trouble and heart ailments. The most poisonous tree on Montserrat, of course, is the manchineel. Amerindians poisoned their arrows with its sap, and modern-day tourists have died from eating its fruit.

Plants have provided us with many modern pharmaceutical drugs. Compounds first found in wild plants are used in the hospital treatment of heart disease, stroke, and AIDS. The things that Montserratians - older ones in particular -know about their flowers, their trees, their bush plants may one day provide the key for further drugs that will benefit mankind.

That is why this is an important book. The main part is a list of 282 different species growing on the island, scientifically named and briefly described, each with a sentence or two about its uses in Montserrat. There are 16 pages of colour pictures plus other black-and-white photos here and there. The overall tone is formal and scholarly.

Now that the volcano has destroyed most of what grows in the south and east, Montserratians must appreciate the importance of the vegetation that remains. It is not just part of the island’s heritage, but part of the heritage of humankind.

E-mail balogh@balogh.com.

Extradition Hearings in St. Kitts

St Kitts, CANA - The judicial review of the extradition of three Kittitian men on drug charges resumed in St. Kitts and Nevis this week. The hearing began on Monday with the defence reviewing the evidence presented in the Magistrate’s Court where the extradition request by the United States was first heard in 1996. Attorney Dr Richard Cheltenham, appearing for the U.S., told Justice Nevis Smith that Senior Magistrate Dr Haynes Blackman had erred when he took into account irrelevant factors and ignored relevant factors.

Sewage Pipe Blamed for Bermuda Epidemic

Bermuda, CANA - A blocked sewage pipe contaminated water at Bermuda’s Marriott’s Castle Harbour Resort, making ill hundreds of guests three weeks ago. Acting Health Minister Quinton Edness confirmed that the epidemic was caused by a viral agent spread by water and/or contaminated food. "The reason for the sickness was due to a blockage at a distal point and that contaminated the water supply," Edness said last Friday.

W. Indies Lead in Series

England, trailing 1-2 in the six-match series, batted themselves into a strong position in the fifth test with overnight pair Ramprakash and Thorpe adding 63 runs to take the score to 292 for five at lunch as the West Indies bowlers toiled without reward in the morning session. England, lifted by centuries from record-breakers Mark Ramprakash and Graham Thorpe made a sizeable first innings score but, West Indies produced an enterprising reply on the second day of the fifth Cable and Wireless cricket Test at Kensington Oval in Barbados Friday.

Left-hander Clayton Lambert was unbeaten on 32, alongside night watchman Ian Bishop (2) after the big-hitting local hero Philo Wallace was controversially ruled LBW to pacer Dean Headley for a blazing 45, studded with nine fours off only 48 balls.

Off-spinner Carl Hooper captured the final three wickets of England’s 1st innings to finish with the excellent figures of five for 80 in 37.5 overs, his fourth five-wicket Test haul.

The test match ending its second day today may see a big scoring match, with England already scoring 403 and West Indies batting well in response at the close. Both teams chose to leave their front line spinners out on a wicket that seemed to be giving the spinners plenty of turn and bounce.

In the fourth Test West Indies ruthlessly routed England for a paltry 137 to win the with a day to spare at Bourda last week Monday and take a 2-1 lead in the six-match Cable and Wireless series.

England, set a challenging 380 runs for victory, surrendered meekly in the last over of the fourth day when man-of-the-match Shivnarine Chanderpaul fittingly took the final catch at fourth slip to remove Dean Headley (9) off ace pacer Curtly Ambrose, who finished with four for 38 to push his series tally to 23 wickets and an overall career haul to 330.

Timothy McCall, MD

Life in your 40s is about balance and setting one’s sights on the long term. I call it the Decade of Prevention because a lot of what we do in our 40s creates habits that are likely to endure for the rest of our lives. While you can’t change family history of disease, you can influence the role genetics plays in your overall health.

This is the time to identify the ill nesses for which you are at risk, and work with your doctor to develop a prevention plan for the future.

Example: I am in my 40s, and the most important issue I think about is the complex interrelationship among weight, diet, exercise and stress—and its cumulative effect on illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.

My body isn’t as forgiving as it once was, and what I do now is going to influence how I feel as I grow older.

Self-defense: Avoid fixations about day-to-day factors—and look at the overall picture. Ask yourself whether you are gaining two to three pounds a year rather than worrying about small fluctuations week to week. Ask whether you are making time for life—or only enjoying life when your work is completely out of the way.

After examining the trends, you can take steps to modify unhealthy habits.

Example: I make sure that I eat a healthy diet—rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains...and low in saturated fats— to address my heart disease and cancer risks. I also keep my weight within a desired range and try to exercise 30 to 45 minutes at least four times a week to stay fit and reduce stress.

I play tennis, ride my bike or go inline skating. These activities use different parts of my body and are fairly low-impact to help ensure that I don’t strain any particular muscle or joint.

More important, they are activities that are fun and enjoyable for me.

Data show that there’s a strong connection between high stress and lowered immunity.

Although exercise is probably the number-one stress reducer, equally important is finding things in your life that are fulfilling, such as seeing family and friends and getting out into nature. This may be the most important therapy of all, and it reinforces the other steps to feeling good now and in the future.

Bemadine Healy, MD

The years between ages 50 and 60 are a period of transition and have a big influence on the quality of your life and longevity.

I’m in my 50s, and so far I have been blessed with good health. But there are some issues I think about that are critical to my age group.

Examples: An increasing vulnerability to diseases that affect longevity, such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease and cancer...a diminished immune system... and a loss of strength as muscle mass andbone density decrease.

Self-defense: Your first defense is diet. I see a lot of people eating poorly or on fad diets to lose the extra pounds they’ve gained over the years.

Better way: The 50s are a prime time to change your pattern of eating for the rest of your life, particularly as you think about disease risk.

Example: I try to eat a low-fat diet that is rich in fruit, whole grains, vegetables and fish.

I also take a multivitamin daily and supplement with key antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E (which have been shown to boost the immune system) and calcium (to combat bone loss).

I also exercise daily. vigorous walking or something you can do at home, like stair-stepping, doesn’t place heavy stress on the joints and muscles and still provides health benefits. Even if you can squeeze in only 10 minutes daily, it’s better than doing nothing.

Although stress is a factor in health regardless of how old you are, the ability to tolerate stress diminishes as we grow older.

I also think that stress plays a different role for people in their 50s—a time when they’re likely facing an empty nest and they are beginning to reset their sights on the future.

Here, the key is mental attitude, which in fact becomes more important as we grow older.

Example: I try to remain positive and optimistic, which helps me deal with the many challenges life offers in a commanding way. While I’m aware of my vulnerabilities, I don’t spend time thinking about what diseases I may get—but instead, how I’m going to prevent diseases in general.

Williiam Castelli, MD

By the time we reach our 60s, our vital statistics— levels of cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar and homocysteine (an amino acid found in everyone’s blood)—will play a major role in whether or not we sail through the rest of our lives without getting into trouble with illness.

Many people don’t realize that the extra pounds they gain over the years often result in malignant obesity— being at least 40% over one’s ideal weight through gradual weight gain.

Obesity is responsible for a great percentage of diabetes cases and of the arthritis in weight-bearing joints that we see in adults in their 60s.

Fortunately, advances in modern medicine prove that it’s never too late to reverse damage that we’ve done earlier in our lives.

Self-defense: I’m in my 60s, and the key to my health today is diet and exercise.

Example: I eat fiber to lower my cholesterol level and my risk for heart attack...look for lower-fat alternatives to meat and fatty cheeses...and eat grilled fish at least five times weekly.

The fish helps me obtain extra heart protection. Certain fish, such as salmon and tuna, contain omega-3 fatty acids—shown to prevent artery disease.

I reach for fruits and vegetables instead of junk food—and take vitamin supplements.

I also jog three days a week for about an hour to keep my weight down, strengthen my heart and improve blood flow and cholesterol levels.

Up to two-thirds of all people in my age group can improve their health through diet and exercise alone. In fact, just two miles of walking daily can improve your health.

Timothy McCall, MD, is a practicing internist in the Boston area. He hosts the health forum on America Online (keyword: Dr.Mccall) and is author of Examining Your Doctor: A Patient’s Guide to Avoiding Harmful Medical Care (Citadel Press/$16.95).

Bernadine Healy, MD, is dean of the College of Medicine and Public Health at The Ohio State University, Columbus, former director of me National Institutes of Health and author of A New Prescription for Women’s Health (Penguin/$1295).

William Castelli, MD, is a renowned expert on epidemiology and prevention of heart disease. He is former director of the Framingham Heart Study and now medical director of the Framingham Cardiovascular Institute in Framingham, Massachusetts.

Just in Case You Have to Leave in a Hurry

Keep very important documents and phone numbers in an easy-to-grab kit to take with you if you have to leave your home quickly because of volcano, hurricane, flood or other emergency. Include...

Ö Traveler’s checks or emergency cash, including quarters for phone calls.

Ö List of bank, credit card and investment accounts.

Ö Phone numbers of financial advisers.

Ö Videotape or photos of everything in your home.

Ö Photocopies of deeds to property and any records that would be hard to replace.

Ö Copies of important medical and eyeglass prescriptions.

FEW GOOD REASONS WHY CHOCOLATE IS BETTER THAN SEX

16.  You’re never too young or old for chocolate.

Power Writing

In memos and business letters, write as closely as possible to the way you speak.

Use you or we, not the impersonal one...and avoid words or phrases that you wouldn’t say out loud, such as, As per your request.

Focus on your intended audience. Make the information meaningful to them_imagine what they might ask—and what they already know.

Good-writing checklist:

• Is your writing easy to understand?

• Does it stick to the point?

• Is it free of unnecessary words?

• Does the opening grab the attention?

• Does the conclusion give a sense of completion?

Computer Quick Tips

MARCH QUICK TIPS - BROUGHT TO YOU BY TIPWORLD!

* Manage Your Start Menu - You can make the Windows 95 Start menu more manageable by displaying small icons. To do this, right-click the Taskbar, select Properties, and check Show small icons in the Start menu.

* ALT-ernate Routes - The Taskbar displays all the open windows and programs on your system. Just click one with the mouse, and you’re there. Prefer a keyboard route? Press Alt+Esc on your keyboard. Then, while holding down Alt, continue to press Esc. Each time you do, another Taskbar item will appear highlighted. When you get to the window you had in mind, let go and you’re there.

* Change Your Colors - Are the default colors hard on your eyes? Right-click the desktop, choose Properties, click the Appearance tab, and pick from a series of preset patterns or design your own look. Muted colors are easier to look at, but interior designers say

Bright colors - such as orange - make people work faster.

Your History in Small Doses

by Dr. Howard Fergus

It is worthy of note that St. Patrick’s Day Montserrat style continues to receive attention in other countries. The Jamaica Gleaner recently carried an article on Montserrat’s secular aspect of the celebration, and it was also the subject of a regional newscast around the same time.St. Patrick’s Day is essentially an Irish celebration rooted in the Roman Catholic religion. This is so in Ireland as well as in the Irish diaspora across the world especially in the United States. There was an Irish diaspora in Montserrat but many of those persons lived here in circumstances of subjugation, discrimination and suspicion; suspicion because they were charged with colluding with the French whenever the latter invaded the island in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The Irish are not here today although some of their descendants survive in products of inter-racial unions especially in the north of the island.

This is not a sufficient reason for us to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Not being Roman Catholics, our hybridised so-called "black Irish" celebrate the day even less. And let it be admitted, Roman Catholicism in Montserrat is an aspect of the Irish heritage. It isn’t French, it isn’t Spanish.

What we celebrate predominantly is the planned uprising by the slaves who attempted to liberate themselves on St. Patrick’s day (March 7, 1768) which was a day of celebration by others and not by them; they were outside the pale of the society. What we celebrate is the heroism of our real ancestors and their martyrdom. What we celebrate is their exemplification the fact that emancipation did not only come about merely because humane persons like Wilberforce, Sharp and company agitated. The slaves had a hand in their own liberation. We may wish to regale ourselves in green and wave the shamrock, and yes, there is an Irish heritage, but we are not Irish, at least the vast majority of us.

My shirt, blood-red stood out

for blood and the victory of martyrs

and I waved a brave poinsettia

on St. Patrick’s day. No affront

to history and no pique with Hibernia

just a personal preference.

JUS’ WONDERIN’

Jus’ Wonderin’ if Dr. Cooper tink mosquitos frum Ole Town don’ walk ta de Nort, s’pose he tink dey jus stay home?

Jus’ Wonderin’ when de Gov. gonna smell de roses and realize plenty, plenty houses in Old Town for his many lackeys he bring in to use de £51 mil.

Just wondering if the UK would be evacuated if the risk of death by auto accident happened to double?

Jus wonderin with world crude oil prices at a four year low, where the extra profit goes with the sale of every gallon of petrol in Montserrat.

Jus wonderin if those songs that the DJ plays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. take her down memory lane or if the words in the songs are sending messages to those persons that break the sorrowful heart.

Jus wonderin if the pyroclastic flows will travel behind Center Hills and head for Silver Hills.

Jus wonderin why Britain responded so quickly to the houses that were destroyed over in Manjack? Is it because the heavy roller is rolling hard on them?

Jus wonderin what Monlec is doing why the current is cutting off so often in the buffer zone! Jus wonderin what it has to do with May’s urgent and serious recommendations.

Jus wonderin why people are not happy with Indians?

Just wonderin why the autopsy was not so successful on Nigel Whyte! Is it a matter of confusion?

Jus wonderin why the fashion lady caused the change of the worker at the EOC?

Jus wonderin why that police officer left island so suddenly.

Jus wonderin why Cable and Wireless phone cards are so much for one minute?

Jus wonderin why a disabled boater appealed to Montserrat on marine radio for more than two hours on Sunday and never got a response.

Jus wonderin how he felt when the Kitts-St. Nevis Coast Guard finally responded and told him they couldn’t help because he was in Montserrat waters.

ADVERTISEMENTS

To reach not later than March 15, 1998

Brown & Root

Brown & Root Ltd, on behalf of the UK Government Department for International Development, are currently performing a Management Contract for the provision of Immediate Housing, Shelter and Evacuation Services on the island of Montserrat, British West Indies, a British Dependency in the Caribbean.

The Contract now calls for the provision of a further 220 serviced building plots which requires the rental of additional plant for a minimum 3 months: Backhoe/Loader (JCB 4CX), Excavator Cat 225/Komatsu 200, Cat D3 Dozer, Cat D6 Dozer and Bobcat mini-shovel (or equivalents) are being considered. Plant must be available from 31 March, less than 2 years old and be fully self-sufficient in operator and maintenance.

Expressions of Interest in all or part of this requirement are invited from interested and qualified organisations. The Application Closing Date is 16 March 1998. There will be no further qualification notices for this requirement. Invitation to Tender is available now and will be sent on receipt of Expression of Interest. Applications shall, as a minimum, consist of:

1. An Original Expression of Interest Cover Letter signed by a Company Director.

2. Plant Data sheet.

3. An indication of availability.

Brown & Root Ltd

News Bulletin

March 5, 1998

(DEPARTMENT for INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT)

EMERGENCY HOUSING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

by Brown & Root Ltd

Acting on the request of residents, additional work is being carried out to make life more comfortable for the families living in the homes at Davy Hill. Work is under way to construct washstands and install cooking gas connections and concrete cylinder slabs for each house.

The work is carried out by local contractor Mr. John Weekes who was part of the work force which erected the houses. It is expected that the project will be completed by mid March at which time the promised improvements to plot drainage will be addressed if required.

Very soon the surveyor will revisit the Davy Hill site to more clearly demarcate the boundaries for each house lot. The measure will facilitate homeowners to beautify and protect their lots without possible conflict with a neighbour.

Residents who have doubts as to where the fire hydrants are located can use the opportunity to verify same with the surveyor. In any event, there is no need to worry as the fire department was part of the planning process and stipulated where the hydrants should be located and that they should be installed below ground and protected by a steel cover which is identified by the letters FH.

With the completion of the additional sewage pipework to the Government dormitory units, PWD have also been able to resurface the roads under contract to B&R. There is no intention to concrete any more roads as the potential now exists to surface them with hot mix material.

Reports from the Carr’s Bay community have indicated that the out fall from the Davy Hill sewage treatment plant periodically comes to the surface at Carr’s Bay from the temporary soak pit which was referred to in the bulletin of February 12th 1998. There is however no need for alarm as these are minor amounts and the liquid is indistinguishable from rainwater. The discharge is monitored daily by Montserrat Water Authority. However plans are in place to resolve the effluent discharge on a permanent basis – deep well disposal is coming soon.

The residents of the Davy Hill project are to be complemented for the very commendable self-help effort in progress to give the houses a coat of paint over the primer provided by the manufacturers.

Estate management and maintenance responsibility has now been transferred to Ministry of Agriculture, Trade & The Environment, with MWA responsible for the potable and foul water systems. The NDF have adopted the Davy Hill community and are working to further develop the community environment. Wherever possible, B&R will support their efforts.

Leo Bedford

BROWN & ROOT LTD

Gem Radio Caribbean

Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag

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