In a radio broadcast on Wednesday night, the Honorable Minister of Agriculture, Trade and the Environment, P Austin Bramble, confirmed that Government continues to reduce the number of evacuated residents in shelters. 23 persons, mainly children have moved out of the St. Peter's Anglican Church. They are being housed at the Purpose Built eight-bedroom Unit complex at Brades.

In his opening statement he said' "Government Ministers from the Chief Minister down feel your frustration and distress with the painfully slow rate of progress on the provision of housing. The Government is fully committed to providing relief for the hardships, discomfort and inconvenience, being experienced by so many people and not a single day passes without some Ministerial action to advance the house construction process."

Mr. Bramble spoke of his government's inheritance of a quick response program, which, although some housing units have been completed, encountered serious waste disposal problems, because of rocky grounds.

He addressed the hardships suffered by many: "I am personally aware of cases where evacuees are spending almost all of their income to meet their mortgage obligations in the unsafe zone and at the same time they have to pay commercial rents, and maintain themselves and their families in the safe zone. Some now face eviction with no place to go.

"Then there is discomfort, conflict, embarrassment, frustration, fears and disappointment being experienced by families in the safe zone who took in friends or relatives expecting that it would be for a few weeks."

Earlier an official at the Emergency Services Unit (ESU), had stated that 37 persons are still occupying the church. However she says these persons will be moved shortly when the second complex is completed. According to the official, toilet facilities are being installed on one of the pre-fab buildings brought in from Kitty Field.

The St. Peters Anglican Church is occupied mainly by residents from the Windy Hill and Streathams communities.

The minister sees the immediate needs as providing decent accommodation for all evacuees. "Such accommodation must maintain the integrity of families while providing acceptable standards of comfort," he said.

He outlined that they have actually started construction on another eight units with plans for a further five immediately, and maybe a further sixteen shortly thereafter also revealing concerns over the fact that the equipment for digging soak away pits is 23 years old and, " is not able to keep pace with the rate at which we need to build."

Mr. Bramble touched on an issue, which the British has known and commented on now for many years. "The people of Montserrat have a culture and tradition of owning their own homes. Montserratians associate security and hope with home ownership. Home ownership is our number one aspiration and the most productive and creative energies of our people will only come back on stream when they enjoy the security of owning a safe and secure place to live."

He then pronounced the government's policy: that everyone who wishes to own a home in the safe zone and who has the will and ambition to exercise sufficient effort should get the opportunity to own permanent home. "This Government has been relentless in its efforts to get the assistance of Her Majesty's Government in realizing this goal." he declared.

He further outlined that there is a project in the pipeline to start the ball rolling with the construction of 50 houses for the people of Long Ground. He added, "residents from St Patrick's are probably in exactly as much immediate danger as Long Ground and the situation of people from St Patricks should be next in line. However permanent housing for the resettlement of 4,000 people from the entire unsafe zone is our ultimate goal and objective."

Last Friday afternoon, His Excellency Governor Savage delivered the keys to the Chief of Police for three vehicles, imported and fitted for use by the Search and Rescue Unit, formed recently in the wake of the volcanic crisis.

The vehicles are part of the Emergency Aid package from Britain to Montserrat designed to be used in cases of necessity and as needs arise.

According to Fire Chief Basil Walters, the vehicles are equipped with an electrical winch at the front, and a towing eye at the rear for towing vehicles and trailers that will be added later to the fleet. There are flashing blue lights on top the vehicles, the same as found on police vehicles along with two spot lights. They are 4-wheel, 2.8 Toyota trucks each with a PA system, dual sound sirens, police digital radio and regular radio. Each vehicle seats 2 and will be locally modified to comfortably seat 5, which is the number attached to each Rescue unit. A hard top roof is being provided and there is space for 2 basket type stretchers

The Governor after handing over the three vehicles expressed concern about the misused vehicles especially those recently acquired through British Emergency Aid Funds. He cautioned department heads to ensure the vehicles are used properly.

Recently the column 'Jus Wonderin' was harshly criticized for mentioning the misuse of government vehicles. A few days ago His Excellency Governor Frank Savage The Governor cited that there have been a number of accidents involving these vehicles.

The British Government has provided more than 20 vehicles to Montserrat since the start of the volcanic crisis at a cost of 1.2 million dollars.

Meanwhile there were heavy criticisms as to the choice of vehicles purchased for the purpose. An official of the Rescue Unit refused comment except to say that the vehicles did not quite fit the proposed specifications.

A little more encouragement and the charitable reason for the American Eagle's brief landing at W.H. Bramble would have been lost to the reality that the 'Eagle has landed' here in Montserrat. The Honorable Chief Minister, Bertrand Osborne and President of American, Mr. Tom Delvalier and the Governor, in their presentation at the brief presentation, all emphasized the fact that the American Eagle had landed in Montserrat.

The delegation from Puerto Rico had flown from Puerto Rico on an American Airline (AA) Eagle flight to deliver over 7,000 pounds of relief goods.

The American Eagle president said that the relief effort started about three months ago when, "one of our employees at American Eagle asked if we would consider facilitating some relief supplies for Montserrat. It made perfectly good sense that we return a little bit to the Caribbean community that we operate in day in day out. This employee, along with our marketing department and the Puerto Rico government, the Red Cross and many other people in the Industry, have put together some relief items."

The Honourable Secretary of State, Norma Borgus, announced her pleasure at attaining their goal of delivering the relief items, thanking American Eagle for their support. She also thanked the public and private sector agencies, such as the Puerto Rico Family Affairs department, the State Civil Defense Office, the American Red Cross Puerto Rico Chapter and the United States Embassy in Barbados along with individuals and businesses throughout Puerto Rico.

"The forces of nature in the Caribbean, volcanoes or hurricanes, make us most aware of the fragility of life. We know that the volcano has changed the lives of the people of Montserrat in a drastic manner," she said.

She noted also how many have left and those living in evacuation circumstances, saying that Montserratians can count on the people of Puerto Rico to come forward and offer their hand in partnership, solidarity and brotherhood. She said, "in addition to the relief offered today, we are extending our commitment for any kind of additional assistance in technical cooperation and working to improve trade relations."

Governor Savage extended welcome on behalf of Montserrat while Mr. Osborne accepted the relief goods and thanked the delegation and people of Puerto Rico.

The Governor hoped that they would be able to tell the people outside that Montserrat is not completely covered in volcanic ash, as the media insists on telling the world, also hoping that the day would come when American Eagle would make scheduled stops in Montserrat and not just fly over about 60 times a day, as the American Eagle president had just mentioned.

Mr. Osborne mentioned the business ties enjoyed with Montserrat and the many Montserratians who shop for many items in Puerto Rico.

Anyone in Puerto Rico hearing the name Montserrat, connects it immediately with the volcano.

Are the British Stonewalling?

On Wednesday night, there was a little difference as the Honorable P. Austin Bramble, the controversial Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Trade and the Environment, addressed the nightmarish issue of housing for relocated residents of Montserrat.

He mentioned the few numbers of people who have received or moved to improved housing conditions and may have succeeded in giving us some hope that the situation will reach a satisfactory end before the projected end of the volcanic eruption which we are experiencing. In so doing he also mentioned some of the many problems government experiences in carrying out their desires. Among these problems, he noted that "existing British policy makes it impossible to move ahead with the speed which the circumstances demand."

This seems to sum up the lack of physical evidence of the spending of the 25 million pounds plus earlier sums of money that the British have allocated to Montserrat for the Crisis. One top official says it this way: "The response mechanisms are still too involved to deal with the emergency of the crisis involved.

It seems that our government in carrying out their plans and projects operate under the same restrictive guidelines and are required to apply normal development aid regulations, which must be inappropriate at this time. There seems to be some credence to the belief that the British government is hoping that the crisis would pass before they actually have to spend the money, or perhaps that the volcanic activity would escalate to such proportions they can implement their earlier plan of evacuating the entire island.

About two months ago, the Chief Minister upon his return from Britain said that we would be given assistance to speed up the process of approval of projects to get things moving. Now it appears as if the process has slowed even further for reasons, which are still being investigated.

One of the more serious problems faced in the housing situation and indeed any development of commerce and industry in the 'safe zone', has been the acquisition of lands, but some British Government policy has continued to stonewall progress.

In the meantime however, there doesn't seem to be much planning in other areas but housing. We have to continue earning a living, and planning for the day when we are told the south can be re-occupied. But if we are never told that, then we must also be in a position to continue successfully from our sojourn in the north.

Dear Editor,

Twice recently Governor Savage restated his firm determination to preserve human life against threats from the volcano.

He did so in pressing the residents of Spanish Pointe to quit the homes in which they are living despite dire warnings from scientists and officials. During the dedication of new search and rescue vehicles for Montserrat's police, fire and defense forces, he said he hoped the island could preserve its record of zero casualties and zero fatalities in the volcanic crisis.

I respectfully suggest that while the governor's concern is commendable, his focus in the latter instance was much too narrow. If the volcano were able, it might keep a different scorecard.

A young wife and mother died tragically in a needless traffic accident during an emergency simulation exercise prompted by the volcano.

A young woman died in hospital after being beaten by her boyfriend. That incident may be listed in court records as a case of domestic violence, but it occurred in a shelter whose lack of personal privacy and severe overcrowding, almost surely contributing factors, can be laid squarely at the foot of the volcano.

Before the volcano became the menace it has been for nearly two years, Montserrat boasted an impressive number of citizens in their 80s and 90s who were reasonably healthy, active and self - sufficient. More than a few of them are no longer among us. Their passing may be officially ascribed to the natural debilities of age, but people who have watched such elderly citizens wither like plants denied water and light believe the reasons are more sinister.

Even the deepest religious faith and fiercest pride cannot long preserve the self respect and will to live of elderly people denied the independence they have known for nearly a century. The less fortunate have succumbed to despair and hopelessness after months of shelter conditions that most government officials and civil servants would declare intolerable even for 24 hours.

It is truly fortunate that no one has been incinerated by a pyroclastic flow or crushed to death by rocks in an explosive eruption. But if we fail to challenge the suggestion that the volcano has inflicted no casualties or taken no lives, then we are kidding only ourselves and those abroad who believe what we wish them to believe.

Dear Mr. Editor,

You must be highly commended for producing, under very difficult circumstances, our only newspaper, The Montserrat Reporter.

In times of crisis reliable information is always critical and vital. This is one of the reasons why your efforts should be more appreciated by the general public. To risk your life in a helicopter flight for the sole purpose of informing the public, is not only heroic, but is also an act of total dedication and commitment to your beloved native land and its people.

It is easy to imagine how you grieved when you saw areas that you wandered as a child been literally destroyed right before you. When I read your account, tears dripped from my eyes. In the twinkle of an eye our major tourist attractions, the Great Alps Waterfall and Galways Soufriere, have been buried by the volcano. What a depressing reality. Your accounts are now significant historical documents which will be read and studied decades from now worldwide.

In response to your call for more positive inputs in the Reporter, I am submitting the enclosed article and will submit others regularly on relevant and topical issues. Keep up the good works I do hope that this nation will soon see fit to honor your outstanding contribution in an appropriate manner.

Best Chief Minister

Dear Mr. Editor,

In the past few weeks, following the firing of the Minister of Agriculture, the good name of Austin Bramble, Montserrat's best Chief Minister, has been dragged through the mud. It is therefore incumbent on me, as a true patriot, to come to the defense of this great leader. We Montserratians have a reputation for very short memories. To label P. Austin Bramble as most rejected politician in Montserrat's history is ample evidence of our ingratitude. No wonder we have been plagued by a succession of natural disasters. Austin Bramble is the best Chief Minister Montserrat has ever had. He continued in the illustrious footsteps of his great father and laid a solid foundation for Montserrat to build on.

The following are some of the bricks of this foundation:

The new Glendon Hospital

A.U.C

Parson's low income housing project

Improved roads and a network of new roads (once the best in the Caribbean)

School lunches and other aid for under privileged children

New health facilities

Better health services especially for pregnant women, for children, the elderly and suffers chronic diseases.

New Police Headquarters

New Port and Port facilities

An industrial Park and new industries

A technical College

Junior Secondary Schools

Upgraded airstrip and a new terminal

The Tannery

Air Studios

New residential areas

More and better training for teachers, civil servants and police

More scholarships for students

Other major and minor infrastructural developments

From the impressive list of achievements mentioned above, can we now state that Austin Bramble is the most neglected rather than the most rejected politician on Montserrat? He lost his seat by just nineteen votes in the most highly contested constituency. This alone could not be rightly considered a rejection.

Austin's party must accept some responsibility for the saga, for it conducted a very low-keyed campaign and took too much for granted. He should have never lost his seat. Never.

Dear Editor,

While Mr. David Brandt LLM (London),CLE, LLB (U.W.I.), was a student at the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies, he did extensive research on Constitutional Reform for Montserrat. The paper is available at the Law Library of the University of The West Indies. Mr. Editor I re-read and now recommend the paper, which Mr. Brandt researched in the early 1990's, and think that 'the time is just right' for the paper to be given wide circulation in Montserrat.

LOCAL NEWS BRIEFS

NDF Sees Shrinking Consumer Base

There are fears that a shrinking local consumer base would endanger the private sector here. The concern has been expressed by Executive Director of the National Development Foundation (NDF) Roselyn Cassell. She says while the contracting consumer base would impact the entire private sector it will be even more detrimental to small businesses.

The NDF Executive Director also sees the need for more streamlining in the small business sector in light of the ongoing crisis.

Meanwhile markets in nearby islands have been cited as one way of ensuring the survival of the small business sector on Montserrat.

However Miss Cassell says a new post of Marketing Officer is needed at the NDF to maximize that option.

The Montserrat Girl Guides Association was represented at a Caribbean Link Conference by Deputy Island Commissioner, Mrs. Anjella Skerritt, in St. Vincent and the Grenadines from April 9 - 13 1997.

The Caribbean Link was started in 1958 when 10 British territories of the Caribbean came together in a political union called the West Indies Federation. The Girl Guides Association in those 10 islands ( of which Montserrat was a part) got together in Trinidad and Tobago in April 1958 and formed an organization which would link all the 10 association as one body. At the time all the associations were Branch Associations of the United Kingdom Girl Guides Association. The name chosen then was 'The Federal Link'. In 1962 after the federation broke up a commissioners conference was held in Dominica and the decision was taken to continue the 'Link'. The name was then changed to the 'Caribbean Link of Guiding'.

At present there are 20 countries in the Link; the last country to obtain full membership is Aruba, which was accepted during the last conference.

The 8th Montserrat Girl Guides Company (Cudjoe Head Girl Guides) entered the Caribbean Link Challenge Competition with a prayer booklet entitled 'Prayers of Peace' and a Volcanic Rock Paper Weight Collection. Montserrat won the Caribbean Link Award for the Guiding category for the Paper Weight Collection as well as the Caribbean Link Award for overall best presentation for both entries.

The Brownie category was won by Tortola, B.V.I., and the Ranger section by St. Lucia.

Congratulations 8th Montserrat Girl Guides. Your hard work and determination paid off.

One woman was seriously injured in a car accident on the north road this past week. The accident which happened around 8 o'clock in the morning on Forgaty Hill while the woman was traveling to Salem on her way to work.

Details surrounding the accident are sketchy but reports say the five other occupants in the vehicle were only slightly injured. They included two adults and three children.

The woman was taken to Barbados for further medical treatment.

Farrell with NGO Counterparts

President of the Caribbean Federation of Youth (CFY) - Patrica Farrell joined with counterparts of the NGO community from the Caribbean and Canada at the Sixth General Assembly of the Caribbean Policy Development Center (CPDC) held in Barbados from April 9 - 14, 1997.

Miss Farrell reported that at this assembly some 28 member organizations of the CPDC came together to discuss a wide range of topics prior to the main business.

The assembly was opened on April 9, 1997 with a performance by a Caribbean Theatre Group entitled Shades of I - She - A tribute to Caribbean Women, and a feature address by the Deputy Prime Minister.

Workshops were held as follows:

Running A Small Business within a Not-For- Profit Organization by Dr. Jacke Menke, Suriname
Post Lome IV - A Discussion and Consultation regarding the future of  EU/ACP Relations
African Region - Retention and Resilience by Pearl Eintou - Springer 
The functioning of NGR: An Overview of The Importance of Information Technology; Board's Roles and Responsibilities
A profile on Cuba - A focus on the work of the NGO's
A profile on Haiti
Mobilizing the Caribbean NGO Sector for Regional Development - Key issues and priorities and the development of appropriate responses.
Key Policy and Program Directions of Regional/International Agencies.
Environment issues in the Region by Robyn Cross, CCA
Including in the discussions, were the following:
Institutional capacity
NGO Financing
Information and Communication
Regional Integration
Social Mobilization
Collaboration and Cooperation

During the business meeting, a special presentation was made by Dr. Kathy Anne Browne - Law Lecturer at UWI Barbados . Issues covered include:

Banana Export Producing Countries, Shiprider Agreement, Helms-Burton Law, Immigration Policies, and

Reduction of Development Aid.

A presentation was made on the volcanic situation on Montserrat, and to solicit additional assistance for Montserrat.

The CPDC consultation was emended during the assembly and application for new members approved.

It was noted the Caribbean Countries especially in the Leeward Islands ( Montserrat and Anguilla) in particular, were at a disadvantage because of dependent status and the absence of an NGO network. There was an indication that assistance would be forthcoming to help establish such networks during the next two (2) years.

The new board of directors elected to serve the next term 1997/98 include organisations from Barbados, Cuba, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize and Venezuela.

Tourism officials from Montserrat and the rest of the OECS are developing a more co-ordinated approach to tourism planning. Marketing Officer at the Tourism Department Rosetta West met with her counterparts at a two-day symposium in St. Lucia.

The symposium was to discuss mainly the results of an assessment of the industry in the eight islands of the OECS, which revealed that the OECS is moving closer to issues related to economic diversification.

Participants worked on a policy to assist member states in developing the right approach to diversification - linking tourism with agriculture. The OECS Charter which sets out a policy for the sustainable development of tourism in the sub-region was also discussed and finalized. It also urges governments and industry partners to follow guidelines which will contribute to sustainable tourism in the OECS.

Upon her return Miss West says, "the symposium, though intense was very successful."

She says the plan takes into account all the major issues affecting tourism - socially, economically and physically.

Miss West says that it is determined that the plan should meet the needs of the present without compromising the future, so that the Caribbean can achieve a more sustainable tourism product.

Volcano Concerns

Scientists at the (Montserrat Volcano Observatory) MVO have been warning of an increase in volcanic activity very soon. They are monitoring the growth of new lava on the south-western side of the dome.

These warnings follow the activity over the Easter weekend, which saw obliteration of the sulphur springs and the Waterfall, and serious threat to Radio Antilles property at O'garros. In pyroclastic flows down the White River on beginning Friday last week, the MVO reported that the flows had reached a mere 50 meters away from the bridge which crosses over White River from Shooter's Hill and onto O'garros.

Scientist Paul Cole says this part of the dome looks very unstable and could collapse soon. He says there is sign that the activity is switching to the sides of the volcano and all flows are expected to be channeled down the White River in the south.

Doctor Jackson says recent pyroclastic flows down White River have been extremely hot and would cause immediate death.

The MVO is employing a new system to monitor the volcano.

Scientists have just commissioned a state of the art Broadband Seismometer Network. The new instrument offers several advantages. Experts say it picks up more seismic signals from the volcano, which improves the efficiency of the monitoring process.

Meanwhile scientists are reminding residents about the dangers of entering areas in Zone A particularly in St. Patrick's.

Dr. Simon Young has now taken over again as head scientist at the MVO replacing Prof. Steve Sparks who has returned to England.

Chief Minister the honorable Bertrand Obsorne has announced that all children who have relocated and are under the age of two years will be entitled to children's Vouchers.

Prior to this announcement only children above two years were eligible for this type of assistance. Parents of relocated children, except parents in shelters, are now asked to register their children at the Food Voucher Office as soon as possible.

Children under two years old and living in the shelters are already registered and it is not necessary for their parents to register them again. Chief Minister Osborne also announced that as of tomorrow April 15, Food Vouchers will be issued to all persons in the shelters. The vouchers will replace the food Parcels. However Chief Minister Osborne says the distribution of meat and fresh vegetables to the shelters will continue.

As a consequence the value of the vouchers to the shelter will be $100 per adult and $30 per child. Other relocated people receive $120 and $40 for adults and children respectively.

Listening to the jubilant cheering from the outside made me become very impatient and therefore more desperate to go inside! The tickets were sold out, seats were filled to capacity, but, "there should be a repeat performance, so come back then," they said.

I begged to go inside if even to stand by the door - after lengthy minutes of waiting we were beckoned inside. I don't regret standing all night for a minute.

Chadd and A-dziko, you were outstanding in your performance. Praises and whole heap o' respect are due to you both. I must also make mention of the other performers who assisted in making the show what it was, a huge success.

Chadd you, have once again out done yourself proving that yes 'a we people talented!' A-dziko you were a gem shining throughout the entire show.

The content of Ash was based on our current situation - the Volcano: relating to the evacuation, people migrating coping with the ash etc. Yet during the show one's mind was completely at ease despite the Volcano. The scripts were well written, music properly coordinated, precise timing with stage lights and the acting was dynamite - each detail of the show proved it was worthy of the year it took to get it completed.

Chadd and A-dziko congratulations on a job perfectly done- Your show was just -WOW.

Leeward Islands Under-19 champions, the Montserrat Youth Team (that plays as MSS in the Montserrat Mills Cricket League) was in good form with the bat last weekend at Salem Park when they took first innings points in a drawn game against Pyroclastic Cricket Club last weekend.

Batting first in the two-day match, MSS piled up 326 all out in their turn at the crease with three batsmen, Olson Murrain (83), Tyrone Greenaway (78 not out) and Zhuan Sweeney (68) getting half centuries. Leewards Under-19 opener, McPherson Meade, was also in good form with a crisp 44 to get the MSS innings off to a flying start.

Pyroclastic used most of Sunday afternoon to compile a respectable 275 with Lawrence Daley (91), and Gary Barzey (81) providing much of the scoring. Daley was in belligerent mood, using a combination of hooks and pull shots, and powerful off drives to race to his half century. He was eventually undone by the clever off spin bowling of Everton Johnson (3 for 74) who used a combination of flight and control to break through the Pyroclastic middle order and bring their innings to a hasty end after the positive start. Johnson got good support from medium pacer Naris Gerald (4 for 77). Gerald is another of the young bowlers who on the improve each week and could be on the LI Youth Team to Guyana in August.

MSS used the time left on Sunday to reach 106 for 6 with Murrain hammering an attractive 35.

In the other two-day fixture at Lansen Park, Cork Hill beat Police by 74 runs with an excellent performance from 15-year-old left arm chinaman bowler, Lennard Riley, another of the players from Montserrat Youth Team. Scores in the match were: Cork Hill 184 (A. Aymer 58, O. Sullivan 5 for 25) and 129 for 4 declared (S. Roach 57 not out). Police 122 (R. Murrain 28, L. Riley 6 for 45) and 107 (S. Kirnon 4 for 32, L. Riley 2 for 29).

In the matches this weekend, MSS plays Cork Hill at Lansen Park, and lowly Police comes up against front runners Eastern at Salem Park.

Northern Swipers, the team from St. John's, continued their good start in the second round of the Cable and Wireless Basketball League with another impressive win over current champions Monstars at the Salem Basketball Court. In the second game on Saturday, April 12, Swipers led 20 points from Chelsea Weekes and 13 points from Jeff Lane got a narrow win over Monstars with a final score of 68 to 63.

MSS chalked up their first win for the season with a 17-point win over Cork Hill Killers also on Saturday.

April 11. Game 1: Ghetto Rockers 100 (C. White 34 points, L. Charles 21, E. O'Garro 19). MSS 69 (J. John 17 points, V. Meade 14).

Game 2: Renegades 101 (D. Greer 26 points, G. Gerald 24, R. Lee 20). Gunz 76 (D. Daley 22 points, I. Ponde 19)

April 12. Game 1: MSS 69 (J. John 14 points, G. Williams 12). Killers 52 ( S. White 17 points).

April 13. Game 1: Volcanics 73 (S. Riley 20 points, R. Evans 18) Swipers 66 (B. Daley 19 points, C. Weekes 15)

Game 2: Monstars 96 (C. Meade 42 points, D. Greenaway 16). Gunz 83 (D. Daley 29, K. Bramble 18)

Friday, April 18. Volcanics vs. MVO. Rebels vs. Killers.

Saturday, April 19. Renegades vs. Swipers. Monstars vs. Volcanics.

Sunday, April 20. MSS vs. MVO. Ghetto vs. Rebels.

Well, I've said it before and I have to say it again. It certainly is amazing how much talent abounds on these 39 square miles of Caribbean soil.

"Ash", produced by Ann Marie Dewar and the Plenty Plenty Yac Ya Ya Theatre Group, was put on at the Vue Pointe Hotel last Saturday and Sunday nights. The stars -- and I mean Stars, Chadd Cumberbatch and A-dziko Simba -- played to a sold out house each night. I went both nights!

Laughter was the essence of the evening and my husband Cedric contributed more than his fair share on Saturday night. The Honorable Financial Secretary joined in the chuckling and added his appreciation of Chadd by praising his abilities as those of a true Salem man. National pride at its best!

A-dziko made you want to laugh as well as cry. The gamut of emotions these two gifted actors led us through really highlights the importance of our interaction and communication with one another. Even the MVO took their blows in stride and voiced their appreciation of good humor on their 7:30 Monday morning report.

I'm sorry for anyone who missed this performance, but I've heard that there may be an encore, possibly even an overseas production. "Ash" would certainly give Antigua something to chat about.

A little Rebellion

Solicitous Governor Frank

Is loath to go pulling his rank,

But if the Pointe labeled Spanish

Saw its residents vanish

He'd become somewhat less of crank.

in Montserrat and try to stipulate that the contractors will dispose of all the waste responsibly, you will have a hard time with the contractor, who will point out how much extra it will cost to truck everything over to the other side of the island (and even if you promise to pay the extra, he is liable to make a few more dollars for himself by trucking it half way and then dumping it in the bush and turning round), and he will have an even harder time with his crew, who will find it next to impossible to change time-honored habits of throwing everything from concrete to nails to beer bottles in the bush/down the ghaut/onto a fire.

And you will get some very strange looks if you suggest to the average man in the street drinking his beer or his Coke while driving that he shouldn't just throw it out of the window when he is finished.

There are also practical problems in Montserrat. . . and now there is no good solid waste dump at all.

Tony Glaser

This past week, it might be argued that the continuing volcanic threats and activities apart, there have been some good things and announcements taking place in Montserrat.

In articles appearing elsewhere in this issue of the Reporter, we will see good news for mothers and babies as an increase in food vouchers is announced; American Eagle landed at W H Bramble airport and handed over 7,000 lbs of relief supplies; reduction of evacuated residents in shelters; and praise for a great production by local artists.

Amidst all this, however there remain the problems in shelters which seem to be plaguing us in finding the quick solution that has been searched for well over 12 months now. April 3, 1997, marked the beginning of another year since the last evacuation/relocation was ordered, but prior to this, the authorities were well advised that the volcanic activity could be prolonged for as much as five years that would necessitate some permanent and proper housing for those who had to leave their homes with no ability to rent or find accommodation in the declared 'safe zone'.

Since then every visitor, official or otherwise, including British government officials, has condemned the conditions that residents and Montserratians have been afforded, almost to this day. Only this week visitors, including a Montserratian returning home to see the conditions, filed the following which has edited for space.

'One thing, we were shocked to find that some families have just abandoned their old people to Cavalla Hill and no longer visit or support them.

There are Montserratians in Britain who send money to their families to support the old people - but the families do not pass the money on to the Red Cross.

We spent time at three other shelters: Gerald's Park, Brades, and Davy Hill. These shelters are for ordinary people of all ages.

At Gerald's Park, there were large tents (marquees). Some were occupied as shelters, with families living close together in cramped conditions.

Other evacuees at Gerald's Park, though, are living in their own houses (wooden cabins) that have been brought by truck from Long Ground or Tuitts, allegedly by a politician seeking support.

At Brades the evacuees are living in sturdy emergency buildings of aluminum, courtesy of the UK Overseas Development Agency (ODA). Inside one of them curtains now partition off individual cubicles; but in another there was no such partitioning, not even to separate the sexes. The curtains give some degree of privacy, but of course everything anybody does can still be heard by everyone else. The effect on people's private life can be imagined.

In each building 16 families, perhaps fifty or 50 people, have to share two toilets (one for men, one for women). Talking to them, we got the impression that the older people were basically just waiting to die. They are near to despair.

'One old lady from Tuitts wept as she told us how she hates life in the shelter and longs to be able to return home.

Someone who had moved out of a shelter and gone to live in rented accommodations told us that if she had not been able to move out she is sure that by now she would be crazy or dead. You can see why some people prefer to continue living in the unsafe zone, even at the risk of their lives, rather than face life in the shelters.'

The worst shelter conditions we saw were at Davy Hill, where 27 people are accommodated in the rather small Pilgrim Holiness church. Among them were two small babies. This shelter was overcrowded and had no kind of partitioning or curtains inside.'

Upon their return to England these visitors reported that a segment lasting six minutes was aired on BBC2 television in a programme "Black Britian" which showed a sensational trailer beforehand implying that the island might have to be abandoned entirely, the segment itself in their estimation being sober and fair. There were views of the volcano, ash clouds, and the new delta. There were interviews with evacuated people living in the shelters, showing how they were coping and remained good-humoured in spite of the difficulties.

"There was a sound-bite from Reuben Meade, who complained of the time it takes to get decisions agreed. There was another from Howard Fergus, who went so far as to say that it is "very difficult to fault" the response of the UK to the crisis. There were views of Plymouth under ash, but with people still working at the port. Should Plymouth be relocated to a new capital built in the north? 'The choice has to be made,' the presenter said, 'by the Montserrat government, even though the UK will have to finance it'."

Unlike an earlier show also on BBC television they noted that the "only white faces seen in the programme were, briefly, those of the Governor and Prince Andrew."

These visitors saw some of the good circumstances and also had some comments: "It seems unfair to us that Long Ground people are still waiting for re-housing, after five evacuations, whereas some people from other villages, after fewer evacuations, are re-housed."

"Everybody who has been evacuated gets food vouchers. (Information here is not quite accurate.) Those living in shelters are given food direct.

The evacuated people of Montserrat are adequately fed and clothed. What they desperately need is money. They have been forced into financial hardship. Their livelihood has been destroyed, and beneath the cheerful surface many of them are deeply demoralized.

People derive moral strength from their strong Christian beliefs; but they are nevertheless understandably depressed. Most of them used to be subsistence farmers, and are used to working their land or tending livestock. In the shelters these activities are denied them."

Let us hope that the 'Montserratians who have left' will soon be able to join other Montserratians abroad in sending money back home to those who need it.

How can non-Montserratians help? One way is for 'tourists' to come and for 'expatriates' to stay. They all benefit the economy. They enable people to earn money rather than depending on handouts. Montserratians can sell them things, drive them around, cater to them in restaurants.

So spread the word: tourists are welcome, and there is plenty of tourist accommodation available in the safe zone.

Jus wonderin, is the village of St. Patrick's threatened by the active volcano more than Long Ground.

Jus wonderin why the keys for the new vehicles were not handed over to the person who is in charge of the Search and Rescue units.

Jus wonderin if our hard- working government employed personnel, will be getting one month or two months extra salary.

Jus wonderin if there is peace and tranquillity at the MVO, and jus can't help wonderin if there will soon be some kind of eruption among the workers.

Jus wonderin when some kind of plan will soon be put in place to try and rid us of the new Salem pharmacies and their druggists.

Jus wonderin if the new governor will arrive on island about three months in advance before our hard-working and beloved Savage leaves.

Jus wonderin if sudden escalation in volcano shelters and family units construction, is credited to the newly appointed minister of government.

Jus wonderin why some shelter residents prefer their weekly supply of food rations to the $100 per month food vouchers.

Jus wonderin if the prisoners are better fed than the persons in the shelters and who are the person or persons responsible for deciding the amount of food each person receives.

Jus wonderin if some of the food and meat products that are issued to the shelters are checked, or taken to the shelters by mistake.

Jus wonderin if a similar program cannot be undertaken to move the sheep, goats and cattle from the unsafe to the safe zone.

Jus wonderin what the next move will be by the opposition in Parliament.

Jus Wonderin if the headlines in the paper last week had any relevance to the article which followed! And why the large increase in the rice quota for Montserrat was not given more prominence!

The Montserrat Building Society Limited Is Now Making Loans Available To Purchase Land For Residential And Commercial Properties.

Get More Information from the Offices in Palm Loop.

Opening Hours: (During Relocation)

• Monday-Thursday - 8:30a.m. - 2:00p.m.
• Friday - 8:30a.m. - 3:00p.m.

Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the position of Executive Director - Caribbean Association of Indigenous Banks (CAIB) Secretariat.

• To report to the Executive Committee of the Caribbean Association of indigenous Banks
• To assist initially in finalizing the establishment of a CAIB Secretariat
• To co-ordinate institutional arrangements at the Secretariat's proposed location in St. Lucia.

• To manage and develop the CAIB for the achievement of its strategic objectives.
• To make the CAIB the recognized voice for indigenous banks in the Caribbean.
• To develop and maintain a marketing communications programme for the CAIB, to ensure information sharing and the dissemination of industry-related data.
• To co-ordinate all of the programmes of the CAIB.
• Act as the liaison between the CAIB and its stakeholders.
• To manage all aspects of the work of the CAIB.

• Post -graduate degree preferably in management
• At least ten (10) years experience at senior management level
• Experience in working in or with the private sector
• Familiarity with the Caribbean region
• Fluency in English
• Banking Experience will be an asset

The Executive Director must be:

• Customer driven
• Able to use and exercise initiative
• Visionary
• Excellent at interpersonal relationships
• A good leader
• Able to develop management and organization systems

Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications

Applications with resume and the names of two (2) referees should sent to

Salary in the scale EC$2,563 - EC$3,408

One year contract (renewable)

Since the start of volcanic activity in 1995, the Caribbean Conference of Churches, a regional ecumenical organization based in Barbados, and Christian Aid UK, the official relief agency of the British and Irish Churches, have been providing assistance to the Montserrat Christian Council, a local grouping of six churches in Montserrat, to the crisis caused by the present volcanic activity. This first year of collaboration prioritized the provision of emergency relief and assistance to the poorest communities. Joint efforts are now underway to improve the ability of the Montserrat Christian Council to assist people in need and to address the island's long term problems.

• To assist the Montserrat Christian Council in the implementation of emergency, development and advocacy programmes developed in response to the crisis created by the volcanic activity on the island and to collaborate with relevant bodies.
• The appointee will be responsible for implementing, managing and reporting on the emergency and development programme of the council, and for liaison and coordination with church, governmental, and non-governmental and community based organizations.

• Applicants should be university graduates and should have at least three years experience working organizations in Montserrat or in other Caribbean territories.
• Applicants should also have substantial experience of programme development and management, advocacy and coordination, and the ability to work with wide variety of people.
• Applicants will also be expected to provide support for the immediate and long-term programmes established be the MCC, and identify and develop new initiatives for funding.

For a detailed job description and application form, please contact the Montserrat Christian Council at

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

This sample site was created by West Computer Works. Please read Disclaimer.

Back to Top