Acting CJ Denys Byron, Is Chief Justice At Last
By Bennette Roach and James White, Jr. (GIS)
Chief Justice Denys Byron
The 1999 Appeal Court sitting opened on Wednesday April 28, 1999, at the Government Headquarters Complex in Brades with another event to be etched in the annals of Montserrat’s history.
Due homage was paid to Denys Byron, one of the region’s top legal minds, on his appointment as Chief Justice (C J) of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
Members of the Bar Association of Montserrat, Acting Governor Dr. Howard Fergus, Attorney General Charles Eakins, Acting Chief Minister Rupert Weekes and other invited guests turned out at the opening to pay tribute to a man nicknamed "Mr. Patience."
Chief Justice Byron, who hails from St. Kitts, was greeted with the news on his way to Montserrat for the appeal court sitting with his colleagues, Justices Albert Mathews and Albert Redhead.
Justices Albert Mathews and Albert Redhead
His appointment had just been confirmed by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He has been acting as C J since July 1996, too long in the opinion of those who offered their words of congratulations and support. He was nominated for appointment in January of this year at an OECS heads of governments meeting.
Congratulatory remarks were made by members of the Montserrat Bar, including Kenneth Allen Q.C and Hogarth Sergeant, and Justices Redhead and Mathews among others.
Many elaborated on the zeal and enthusiasm with which Chief Justice Byron has climbed to this pinnacle of his distinguished career.
Acting Governor His Excellency Dr. Howard Fergus expressed his sentiments by quoting the well-known cliché, "justice has been finally done" after the long and agonizing wait for the appointment.
A congratulatory letter was also sent and read to the gathering from Lawyer Stanley Moore and the Bar Association on the British Virgin Islands.
Acting Chief Minister Rupert Weekes traced Chief Justice Byron’s connections to Montserrat and the crucial part he has played in the development of the islands judicial system and his meaningful contribution to society as far as jurisprudence is concerned.
Meanwhile, in his humble way, Chief Justice Denys Byron said he was greatly moved by the sentiments expressed and promised to play his part in ensuring that a high standard of practice is maintained in the region.
It’s Bramble or No Airport, CM Brandt Declares Reluctantly
By Bennette Roach
"The consultants came to Montserrat and all of us know that the Government and people of Montserrat said loud and clear and with resounding voices that Thatch Valley is the only option which we would consider. The people’s spokesmen and women presented sound and substantial reasons for the choice of Thatch Valley."
The foregoing is a portion of Chief Minister Brandt’s recorded address to the people of Montserrat as he hurried to make his flight on a trip to Brussels to attend a meeting of the European Union and Overseas Territories in Brussels.
"It is therefore our view that we must have a fixed wing aircraft facility, and at this time we have no choice but to accept the rehabilitation of Bramble, since with no airport at all our economic recovery and development could not proceed," he concluded.
Mr. Brandt had explained in his address: "It is not now a question of which site is best. Rather, the question for all of us is, what can we get? The choice before us is, either we take the refurbished W.H. Bramble or we get no airport at all."
This, he said, is because the case that Thatch Valley is in fact the best site for an airport in Montserrat has been presented from all angles, and from all points of view. At every turn the response by the British has been an unqualified NO."
This position by the Chief Minister comes following wide consultations concerning positioning of a much needed airport/airstrip on Montserrat, made necessary because of the proximity of the airport to the Soufriere Hills volcano, which erupted starting July 18, 1995.
The volcano has impacted the airport completely, demolishing the terminal buildings, and mudflows have reached the runway. About 19 people died from the volcano the last day the airport was used on June 25, 1997, less than a month short of two years after the volcano started erupting.
It is widely accepted in Montserrat that an airport at Thatch Valley would be most meaningful to the island. The British government, however, set out to prove that the cost of constructing an airport at this site is too astronomical and uneconomical, while it tried to show that Geralds or Blakes could be alternative sites. When it turned out that neither Geralds nor Blakes was acceptable, and the British refused to consider Thatch Valley, a fourth option was being introduced, return to Bramble.
The intelligentsia in Montserrat believe that this could be an acceptable temporary solution to the problem, but only when it is safe from any fatal threats from the volcano. Others feel that it could never be safe as long as the volcano is where it is, remembering what happened and what could have happened on June 25.
The scientists have said in their most recent assessment of the volcanic hazards and risks in mid March, that with certain monitoring and safeguard equipment, the area could be safe for workers to go in for certain periods, to do the necessary work to get the airport ready again for use. They estimated that it would carry the same risks as oil workers working in the North Sea drilling for oil.
It was against this brief background that the CM gave his address on Saturday evening.
"When Britain Says ‘No,’ Promised Aid Disappears"
Before he left Montserrat for Brussels to join his counterparts from the Caribbean at EU/OCT partnership meeting, the Chief Minister did what many have felt brought some fresh air to the minds of Montserratians.
In his radio broadcast to the nation, he addressed squarely and head-on the airport issue in Montserrat, promising, "We will not abandon the idea of Thatch Valley, we will pursue it, because we believe that it is the right way to go. Our goal is to eventually have an airstrip there. This goal is not realisable now because the British have said categorically, they (the British Government) will not fund it."
The Chief Minister explained in the address how the British Government has strong influence over the European Union, they being one of the main contributors of funding made available as aid. We have heard other British Ministers, Cook and Foulkes, mention on more than one occasion that they do not only aid Montserrat directly but through the European Union.
The Reporter has raised the question many times before of British and local officials, including the Governor, whether the British Government would stand in the way of Montserrat accessing aid from other international sources. The Chief Minister ought to explain to Montserratians how the British Government has prevented this, and the efforts that have been made in this direction.
The feedback so far from his broadcast has been one of acceptance and understanding by the people, but that was given in the firm belief that he will seek to put in place some plan to develop the far north of the island. It will be difficult not to believe that Montserrat’s economic future lies in going towards Thatch Valley, so that any plan that does not include that area beyond 2001 is a backward one.
Mr. Brandt, as Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, should also explain to Montserratians the difficulties Montserrat faces in planning its own future and how it deals with its own income and expenses.
He should explain exactly how his government intends to pursue the Thatch Valley matter, not just the airport but development beyond Drummonds. He should explain why that is the case even if we were to make savings from not going into a full-scale redevelopment of W.H. Bramble airport. The honourable Reuben Meade’s estimated figures must make some sense if indeed the plan is to spend $48 million. The Chief Minister himself said he is, "convinced that spending large sums of money at W.H. Bramble is a terrible waste."
He should explain why, if every traveler out of Montserrat were to pay an additional 5 percent tax when the airport gets back into operation, the funds derived could not be saved towards a specific project.
The Chief Minister may find that since no one in the OECS can claim economic and financial independence, Montserrat should not be waiting for economic independence before seeking full autonomy through some form of independence.
When he declares that Britain will never fund any development, it is all the more reason why he should hasten to discuss the issues of the Cook White Paper. If Britain does take that attitude on any matter regarding its aid to Montserrat, what is the meaning of its new thrust of partnership for progress and prosperity? Or is this only for other dependent territories and not Montserrat?
At the meeting in Brussels the Chief Minister is expected to address the Europeans about Montserrat’s "peculiar and extraordinary circumstances resulting from the brutal devastation of Montserrat by its volcano over the past few years."
He will declare to them that Montserrat is "struggling with the daunting challenge of restructuring a burned down economy and repairing the broken lives of its people… When two-thirds of your land-mass is utterly destroyed and rendered uninhabitable, when three-quarters of your population is forced to flee, when you have to come up with new ways to sustain an economy, life itself takes on a special kind of urgency…
"Like most other countries we wish to build an economy that works."
The Chief Minister will try to influence the decision of the Union with respect to funds it is making available to Montserrat. Should this really be necessary?
The Chief Minister refers to our situation: "It is an urgency to avoid falling into a volcanic chasm of despair and despondency. It is an urgency to prevent the prevailing bad conditions from becoming accepted as the order of the day. It is an urgency to keep hope alive."
Disgruntled Customer Gets a Happy Surprise
Dear Editor,
My letter in your April 23 edition took Cable & Wireless to task for what I considered unsatisfactory customer service in failing to include our preferred telephone listing in its newly issued directory.
Immediately after that issue of The Reporter appeared, I was contacted by Mr. Clifton Riley, C&W’s acting Interim General Manager, who expressed his concern and pledged to investigate immediately.
On Wednesday, I was visited by Mr. Richard Weekes, C&W’s Customer Services Representative, who delivered to me not only a letter of explanation but also assurance that our requested listing would appear in an addendum to the directory to be issued soon.
Since I acquainted your readers with my displeasure in that previous letter, I hasten now to assure them that the response and apology of Cable & Wireless for my unhappiness were impressively prompt, thorough and gratifying.
J. Donald Brandt
Woodlands/Foxes Bay
IF YOU WOULD MASTER TEMPTATION, LET CHRIST MASTER YOU.
TWINKLE, TINKLE, TATTLE
Be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. - 1 Peter 5:8
A man was repeatedly robbed by burglars who entered his house through a window while he was asleep. He finally solved his problem by using three things. He called them a twinkler, a tinkler, and a tattler. The twinkler was a candle that he kept burning in the window all night. The tinkler was a bell attached to the window. And the tattler was a small, noisy dog. Because of these, the burglars were kept away.
Every Christian lives in a house that Satan seeks to burglarize. We too need a twinkler, a tinkler, and a tattler. The twinkler is the candle of God's Word. Its truths provide light that exposes Satan's lies. Daily attention to the Word keeps the lamp bright. The tinkler is the bell of our testimony. Keep it ringing as you tell others of the Savior, and Satan will be frustrated. The tattler is the life of prayer. When the enemy comes, send up the warning that you are telling Jesus about it all. Yes, twinkle your light, tinkle your testimony, and bark the enemy away by prayer.
A godly woman, when asked the secret of her victory, replied, ''Whenever the devil raps at my door, I just say, 'Jesus, you go to the door and take care of him.'''
Twinkle, tinkle, and tattle -
The only way to overcome
Temptations that we face
Is to be focused on the Lord,
Who strengthens by His grace.
(photo)
Salem Center Now Offers A New Green Grocer Shop
A small crew of volunteers gathered at about 7:30 A.M. at Salem Center, near where Johnny Mecca’s used to be, to begin a construction project.
By about 4:30 P.M., the initial building of a new Green Grocer shop had been completed, where any or all farmers or kitchen gardeners can sell their wares.
Materials were made available through the kindness of the Council of Churches, and thanks to the initiative of John Keller, the helpers arrived, and the idea became real.
Participants thank John Wilson for the loan of his generator, Romeo's Hardware for their assistance in providing the materials and suggestions, Cob Row for the trucking and numerous others for providing refreshments.
NURSES TO LAUNCH WEEKLY PROGRAMME
by Valerie LewisPrincipal Nursing Officer
Commencing May 3, the local Nurses will host a weekly programme called "This Week With The Nurses."
This programme will be aired every Monday at 7.45 a.m. and will also be featured weekly in the Press.
The initiative for such a programme originated from some of the Nursing Department’s objectives:
This initial edition will, among other things, give a brief overview of the organization of the Nursing Sector and the services provided.
The Nursing Sector has a compliment of 49 Nurses and is headed by the Principal Nursing Officer (PNO), whose main responsibility is to co-ordinate all Nursing Services within the country, advise the Permanent Secretary and Chief Medical Officer on all matters related to Nursing, monitor the delivery of Nursing care at all levels and direct Nursing Education activities..
The Nursing Sector has three sub-divisions -- Hospital Nursing, Community Nursing and Nursing Education. Each division is managed by a Nursing Manager, hence there is a Hospital Nursing Manager, a Community Nursing Manager and a Sister Tutor for the School of Nursing.
The rest of the Hospital staff includes: Ward Sisters/ Charge Nurse, Staff Nurses, Registered Nurses, Senior Enrolled Nursing Assistants and Enrolled Nursing Assistants.
Other members of the Community Nursing staff include: A Public Health Nurse, A Family Nurse Practitioner, A Mental Health Nurse, District Nurses and Senior Enrolled Nursing Assistants.
In the School of Nursing there is only the Nurse Tutor .
At the Hospital the main focus is on curative and rehabilitative care; the Services offered there include Medical, Surgical, Paediatric, Geriatric, Accident and Emergency care.
The goal of Community Nursing, on the other hand, is to provide promotive and preventive health care. Thus the services offered there include: Maternal and Child Health, Child Welfare and Immunization,
School Health, Mental Health, Screening and Management of Diabetes and Hypertension, Shelter Visits,
Home visits and Counseling.
The School of Nursing offers three training programmes:
Formal training at the School has been temporarily suspended due to inconveniences created by the volcanic crisis. However, in-service education for all Nurses continues in an effort to update their knowledge and skills and keep them abreast of new trends in nursing.
The Nursing Profession, like most other professions, has been severely affected by the volcanic crisis. It has suffered from mass migration of its members, many of whom were trained in specialized areas. Although every effort was made to provide and maintain services mentioned above with whatever resources were available, it has been a difficult and challenging time for the Nurses.
However, now that the attrition rate has declined and some form of stability has returned, every effort is being made to enhance the Professional image, promote the Profession as a career and be actively involved in the process of rebuilding the Health Service and indeed the Country.
By so doing, the Nursing Sector will be able to achieve its Goal of " Providing Quality Care To All Consumers As Effectively And Efficiently As Possible"
This weekly programme will feature all Nurses, both in Hospital and the Community, on a rotation basis.
In addition to health tips and information, a profile of the Nurses will be given which will help to create public awareness of the Nurses and their role. There will also be an update on activities and development within the Nursing Department.
Those Nurses who have relocated overseas are welcome to contribute to the programme, as this will enable them to maintain closer contact with colleagues at home and share pertinent information.
At present local Nurses are gearing up to celebrate Nurses Week from May 9-15, with the theme " Nurses, mobilizing to serve you better in Century 21." More on this will be featured next week.
The Nurses would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their support over the years and look forward to closer collaboration and continued support as they endeavour to serve you in better and innovative ways.
GOVERNMENT INFORMATON SERVICES
Remarks by Acting Chief Minister Weekes Follows:
Your lordships, distinguished members of the Bar, Your Excellency the Acting Governor, Invited Guests, Ladies and gentlemen.
It is indeed an honour for me on this momentus occasion, to be able to extend words of welcome on behalf of the Government and people of Montserrat to the judges of the Eastern Caribbean Court of Appeal.
A special welcome must be extended to you Justice Byron, in your capacity as Chief Justice of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court.
I take this opportunity to offer congratulations on your achievement, that is to say your appointment to the esteemed position of Chief Justice Sir, we consider you to be one of us, a Montserrat by adoption, and we accept you as such, for we are not only aware, but very appreciative of the contribution you made to the administration of justice, especially on Montserrat over the years, both as Puisne Judge and later as Chief Justice of the Appeal Court.
It is our feeling sir, that this very important position you have attained is just reward for your efficient, dedicated, professional services to this region over the years.
I am sure that I speak for all Montserratians in saying that we are proud of your achievement Sir, and also we feel very honoured that Montserrat must be mentioned when your history is written; not only that you served here as a High Court Judge, but thaty upon your confirmation as Chief Justice, the first session you presided over was on Montserrat.
Therefore, we will always consider ourselves to be closely associated with this your recent success.
We wish you every success in this office Sir, and ask God’s continued strength, guidance, and protection, as you continue to serve the region.
You have made us all very proud, and we have every belief that you will make us even more proud by the notable contribution you will be making to the administration of Justice in this region.
May God continue to bless and inspire you.
OCT And EU Partnership Meeting in Brussels
The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt attended a meeting of the European Union and Overseas Territories in Brussels this past week.
The meeting was called to review the EU decision governing the European Union and its Overseas Territories, which comes up for renewal in early 2000.
Chief Minister Brandt used the forum to request more aid for Montserrat.
The European Union (EU) has already allocated 16 million ECUS to Montserrat, and Mr. Brandt said this figure could well be increased to 18 million.
Of the 18 million ECUS, eight million will go towards airport development and the remainder to poverty alleviation projects such as the construction of homes.
The Chief Minister was accompanied to Brussels by new advisor on industrial matters Brunel Meade and the Director of Development Angela Greenaway.
Speech by Chief Minister Brandt:
I am very happy to be here with you, proven friends, at this very important EU/OCT partnership meeting. As we continue our deliberations to arrive at the next OCT Decision, I wish to urge you to give special consideration to Montserrat’s peculiar and extraordinary circumstances.
All of you know how brutally Montserrat has been devastated by its volcano over the past few years. Although our story is no longer in the headlines, we are in a desperate fight for our survival and it is very reassuring to know that we have friends like you that we can always look to for support.
Montserrat is struggling with the daunting challenge of restructuring a burned down economy and repairing the broken lives of its people.
If we are to meet this challenge, we must use all of our mental, physical and spiritual resources to set a course and stay on the course. And we need the help of this organization. You must keep in mind that our circumstances in Montserrat are vastly different from those of any other territory or country represented here. When two-thirds of your land-mass is utterly destroyed and rendered uninhabitable, when three-quarters of your population is forced to flee, when you have to come up with new ways to sustain an economy, life itself takes on a special kind of urgency.
It is an urgency to avoid falling into a volcanic chasm of despair and despondency. It is an urgency to prevent the prevailing bad conditions from becoming accepted as the order of the day. It is an urgency to keep hope alive.
Like most other countries, we wish to build an economy that works. We wish to organize our society in such a way that every citizen can afford to have a decent home, that every citizen has access to a good education. We must ensure that every able-bodied citizen who is of age can find meaningful, well-paying work. Our citizens must be able to engage in sporting activities, we must be able to express ourselves creatively and participate in the arts.
That is quite a challenge especially for a country that has lost most of its real estate and 400 years of infrastructure. But, with your help, we have no doubt that we will prove equal to the challenge and that we will go into the 21st century with a sense of purpose and energized with hope.
For us, as perhaps for no other country, it is important that we preserve our existing trade arrangements with the EU, and that we make more imaginative use of the trade and industrial opportunities provided by this organization.
Before the volcano began erupting, rice processing for the European Union market and electronic assembly contributed 98 percent of total merchandise exports. We are now getting ready to start processing rice again and expect to soon be able to say the same for electronic assembly.
Our trade arrangement with the EU is vital for the success of our enterprises. We shall be looking to you specifically to assist us in funding a 21st century development plan, and to provide the expertise to work along with our people in developing that plan. It will also be most important that you assist us with training for our people in the skills that will make it possible to carry out that plan.
In addition, we will look to the EU for help in trying to build a new kind of tourism product that finds opportunity in our disaster.
Let me take this opportunity to add Montserrat’s appreciation to that of the other Overseas Territories and Countries for the significant financial and technical assistance which we have received from the European Union. It has major positive impact on our economic and social development. We value our relationship with the European Union and are grateful for the assistance we have always received.
In Montserrat, we hope and believe that access to the development programmes of the EU will continue as we fight to rebuild a viable Montserrat community. But here again, given Montserrat’s peculiar situation, I must ask that we give some attention to how to speed up the flow of aid. It is important for us to find ways to get projects up and running more quickly than they would under normal circumstances.
As I said the last time I was here, business as usual makes it difficult for us to contend with the problems we are facing.
I must applaud the effort being made to clarify the EU procedures for accessing aid and technical support. This will doubtlessly lead to better use of available EU resources.
Finally, we have every hope of establishing a thriving offshore financial sector. We support strong regulation of this industry and we are convinced that with proper planning and with your help, we will not only be able to meet any obligations in this respect, but actually benefit from them.
However, it is important to recognize the special circumstances which apply to small islands, and how vital it is to find new ways to build sustainable economies.
It has been a pleasure speaking with you today.
Thank you all very much.
The Caribbean Development Bank has given details of its decision to restructure Montserrat’s debt.
In the latest edition of its newsletter, the CDB cites constrained economic activity in Montserrat and large-scale migration as the main contributors to the substantial contraction of the tax base.
The CDB is the principal creditor of the government of Montserrat, which has been servicing 12 loans from the bank, comprising a total of $6.9 million.
The newsletter states that because CDB’s loans account for nearly 70 percent of the Government’s annual debt service, the restructuring decision has provided Montserrat with a window over the next few years, during which public resources could be focused on the critical task of reconstruction.
The agreement between the CDB and the Government of Montserrat includes a two-year moratorium on principal and interest on a loan relative to LIAT; a one-year moratorium on principal relative to three other loans and a three-year moratorium on the interest on three others.
Montserrat is currently in a phase of reconstruction after being devastated by the Soufriere Hills Volcano, which began in July 1995.
ECCB Assessment Of Montserrat Economy
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has given its latest assessment of the Montserrat economy.
In its latest economic and financial review, the bank says the decline in human resources and the loss of businesses and infrastructure pose a serious challenge to the development of the island.
The ECCB says the level of economic activity is expected to improve in 1999.
This projection is based on proposed activities that are implemented under the recently negotiated Country Policy Plan (CPP).
ECCB expects that the construction industry and government services sector will continue to lead economic activity.
The bank says output in the agricultural sector is likely to increase marginally in 1999, as measures are taken to restructure the Agriculture Department and empower the farming community.
Efforts are also being made to boost the agricultural sector through the acquisition of additional land for farming and projects such as backyard gardening.
The ECCB says elements in tourism will be contingent upon air and sea access to the land, as well as reduction in volcanic activity.
The bank says based on plans to upgrade the heliport to meet aviation standards, air access to the island is likely to improve.
An improvement in accommodation facilities is expected to boost activity in the tourism industry in 1999, as construction and rehabilitation efforts continue.
The Government of Montserrat has committed itself to rebuilding a viable and stable economy with support from the United Kingdom Government.
Montserrat and its other OECS members have been taking a close look at managing the region’s fisheries resources.
Fisheries Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and the Environment Melissa O’Garro was among participants at a recent three-day symposium in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
According to Miss O’Garro, some of the steps discussed to manage fisheries resources were improving gear and technology, marketing, management, financing and investment.
During the workshop participants examined ways to increase exports, resource allocation, meeting new export regulations, information dissemination and training at all levels of the industry.
Discussion also focussed on the depletion of near-shore resources.
Miss O’Garro says the deposits of volcanic ash and warm water have compounded this problem in Montserrat, by forcing fish to find new habitats further offshore.
The fishing industry employs approximately 60 full-time and part-time persons in Montserrat.
In 1997 the industry contributed over $500,000 to the island’s gross domestic product.
MCC Against Legalizing Homosexuality
The Montserrat Christian Council has come out very strongly against the proposed legislation dealing with homosexual acts between consenting adults.
The proposed change in Montserrat’s laws is contained in the Partnership for Progress and Prosperity document, commonly referred to as the White Paper.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, detailing the British Government’s new relationship with its dependent territories, published the paper last month.
In a press release the MCC states that the change, as outlined in the White Paper, strongly suggests the legalization of homosexuality, and that such a position would be serious violation of the cultural morals of Montserratians.
The MCC also says the move could offer a direction that it judges to be unfavorable to the development of the island’s communal spirituality.
The proposed law, to legalize homosexuality, has also met with strong opposition by the Government of Montserrat and the public in general.
The Ministry of health has released a list of symptoms which will indicate that the dreaded dengue fever is present.
Dengue fever has been affecting several islands in the Caribbean in recent times.
However, although health officials say there is no evidence of the disease on the island, several precautionary steps would have to be taken.
The symptoms for dengue include sudden onset of high fever, which may peak, subside, then peak again after a few days – lasting three to seven days; severe headache with pain especially behind the eyes, and joint and muscle pains all over the body.
Other symptoms are abdominal pains, rather than the chest pains experienced in flu, and victims may experience skin rash or even minor bleeding from mouth or nose.
The Ministry of Health wants the public to note that if the bleeding is more severe this may be due to the more serious form of dengue haemorrhagic fever.
Recovery may be prolonged with fatigue and depression.
Montserrat Participates In Nutritional Training
For the third successive year, the Caribbean Food and Nutrition Institute (CFNI) is mounting a region-wide training course, using facilities of the University of the West Indies Distance Education Centers (UWIDEC).
The course, under the theme "Basic Nutrition for a Changing Society," has attracted more than 100 participants from 12 UWIDEC sites in the region.
It is designed to enhance the knowledge of a broad range of nutrition-related personnel about current problems, principles and practices in promoting good nutrition.
Montserrat is among 11 countries participating in the programme, which is scheduled to run until June this year.
The subject areas to be covered include identification and use of nutritional resources in the Caribbean; nutrition in pregnancy and lactation; food safety and sanitation; and prevention of chronic nutritional diseases.
An examination and evaluation follow the completion of presentations and successful participants will be awarded certificates.
OECS Confirms Montserrat Has Paid Its Contributions
Montserrat has been cleared of charges that it owes contributions to the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
OECS Director General Swinburne Lestrade says all member governments with the exception of Montserrat are in arrears as far as their contributions are concerned.
Mr. Lestrade says Montserrat had for this year paid its EC$500,000 contribution in advance.
The failure of some member countries to pay their contributions has led to speculation about the very survival of the Sub-regional Grouping.
Petrotrin Shows Interest in Montserrat
The Caribbean’s largest petroleum producer, Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago (Petrotrin), has shown interest in doing business in Montserrat.
Petroleum consultant Carmita Wiggins, who works for the Trinidad-based company, met recently with Government officials, and visited the petroleum storage facility at Carrs Bay.
Ms. Wiggins said Petrotrin is very interested in developing links in the Caribbean region, including Montserrat.
Montserrat has been without a service provider for the past two years, since Texaco and Delta closed their operations here.
The Emergency Department, which has taken on the function, has upgraded the fuel terminal at Carrs Bay.
Extra fuel tanks have been installed so that tankers can discharge their cargo at an anchor point at sea.
Office facilities, roads, turning circles and filling ramps are still being installed.
Farmers on Montserrat have once again benefited from a training workshop organized by the Department of Agriculture.
The soil and water management seminar took place recently at the St. Peters School.
Subjects covered included soil conservation methods and management of irrigation systems.
The programme included a field trip to the Upper Blakes Agricultural project.
Abdul Alam from the Caribbean Agricultural Development and Research Institute (CARDI) and Agriculture Engineer Walter Christopher were the main facilitators of the workshop.
The Government of Montserrat is carrying out a review of its national action plan to deal with the Year 2000 millennium problem.
The review is being done with assistance from Alexander Borg of the Malta Information Technology and Training Services.
Mr. Borg held a series of meetings recently with government agencies, the private sector and non-government organizations, to assess the degree of preparedness for the Year 2000 problem.
He is also assisting the Government in drawing up contingency plans to contain any problems the millennium may have on various sectors of the economy.
Mr. Borg says there are a number of areas not fully compliant, and attention will be given to certain areas such as volcano monitoring, air transport and revenue collection.
There is Much for Which to Cheer Brown & Root, DFID and Britain
MAN FROM BAKER HILL
Have you seen the cover of Cable and Wireless 1999 telephone directory? Do you know what is on it? It is the picture of Lookout Housing Projects.
The project is something for all Montserratians to be proud about. We will take every visitor to "Lookout " to show them how we are bouncing back, to prove to them that Montserrat is livable, nice and safe.
However, it is much more than niceness or safety. It is the beauty and the orderly arrangement of houses that attract us. And although some of the houses are over-designed, and very small, they look pretty from a distance.
Fellow Montserratians, join with me and say three cheers for Brown & Root, DFID and the British Government. They moved to the north in an orderly way. In spite of our resistance, our objections and our poor cooperation they have given us something to feel good about. Their rebuilding effort captured at Lookout is something new, something different and still something beautiful.
There is a sewer system, proper layout of infrastructure and utilities -- roads, power and water. I believe that we will keep it that way. After all, we are proud and decent people, we only need to look at things differently.
And there is more. Consider the buildings at Davy Hill. They are not the type of buildings that we are accustomed to, but they are strong enough to withstand high winds. They are neat, they are built in an orderly arrangement. Again, its Brown & Root, DFID and the British Government.
You guessed it! It is the temporary Government Headquarters. We must say temporary, because that is what those structures are. We must not imagine that they are permanent. We should accept the temporary Government Headquarters for what it is, for what it was supposed to be, and the purpose that it serves. You will see orderliness, you will see government business at one location and you can see a job well done if you want to. You should also give praise to Brown & Root, DFID and the British Government.
Everyone will agree that plenty money was spent on Montserrat Volcano assistance. There was £60 million. There is £75 million. I believe that there will be a permanent Government Headquarters one day, just as good as or better than the one left in Plymouth. There will be a multi-million dollar Airport one day. There will be a real Hospital, a Library, a Resource Centre, a strong jetty and many more things which a developing country needs. You see, in the context of our redevelopment, money is relative. To the people who are able and willing to help us, the supply of money is almost infinite. We must not always be counting and adding and subtracting the aid given to us, as if we are looking a gift horse in the mouth. We need only to be patient.
I have the faith and the confidence that we will be assisted with our infrastructure and facilities again. Between 1991 and 1995, the insurance industry, in which I work, participated in many of the following projects carried out in Montserrat: a new jetty, a new Government Headquarters, a new Hospital, a new Library, and a new Resource Centre; the refurbishing of the old Glendon Hospital, the Nurses Hostel and the Governor’s house; and the Cork Hill main road. Projects which were funded by British Government. The only condition imposed – practice responsible Government.
We can also add the pre-volcano cost of the proposed Bramble Airport extension. And if you ask me, I can state the millions spent on the projects, because I personally had the opportunity to prepare insurance quotations for all of them except the road. Montserratians, I beg you to be patient and reasonable. Humanity understands our needs.
I believe that at the beginning of this article I intended to compare the efforts of the British with our efforts and performance. That would not have been a fair comparison. The British are more experienced than we are in handling disasters. They have more resources, and more expertise to call upon.
I will not, therefore, ask you to look at and compare the orderliness of the housing project at Nixons, or below Normans at Cudjoe Head; or the houses at Manjack (the Griffiths) project or the houses at Davy Hill opposite the Brown & Root project . No sir, I will not mention the wooden houses dotted all over the place. NO! I will not ask you about the New Commercial Centre next to the port, Customs and Immigration at Little Bay.
However, I will tell you to look at the expensive block walls that Public Works Department builds at the roadside. Some of them cost as much as a needed house.
I will also tell you to demand from Public Works the cost of the block wall fence on the Brades road. Ask them if they are planning to keep back the sea. Even if we get a tidal wave, the sea will not come up that far.
I will tell you, too, that disaster recovery is much more than projects to see how much me, myself and I can get out of the recovery aid.
And I will tell you that disaster recovery is good planning, to ensure that we improve on what was lost; while at the same time ensuring that those who lost are given an equal opportunity to recover and benefit from aid.
Disaster recovery is more than an opportunity to seek financial assistance.
There is also an obligation to accept help from people who are more experienced than you in disaster planning and recovery. Disaster recovery is patience, it is tolerance, it is cooperation, it is being thankful and grateful.
Let us face it, Brown & Root, DFID and the British Government have not been perfect; even so we have an obligation to resist them less, and to cooperate with them much more, although we might still be traumatised from the effects of the Volcano.
Three cheers for Brown & Root! Once again, thank you British Government.
"Front Lines"
The Year 2000 continues to be a significant controversy. Some dismiss the computer-related glitch as a mere annoyance; others herald it as the worst nightmare of the Information Age. Billions of dollars are being spent to ensure Y2K compliance, and cost estimates continue to escalate.
Despite these massive outlays, there is little doubt that some system failures and inconveniences will occur. Recent reports issued by high-level groups representing both the President and the Senate reveal that, while preparations and readiness are improving and major catastrophes are unlikely, it is doubtful full compliance will be achieved in time.
Formulating an accurate assessment of the economic fallout from the millennium bug is a complex and difficult task, as there is no reliable basis in historical experience from which to draw. In our current global marketplace, many unpredictable and potentially volatile matters are involved, and it is likely even now that some of the most notable effects have not yet been identified.
Thus, it is evident that the functioning of information systems and computer-linked technologies in early 2000 is fairly uncertain.
Among the things that are clear, however, is that economic consequences from the Y2K phenomenon are likely to occur in three phases: preparation, disruption and adjustment.
Preparation phase: While the Y2K event is unprecedented, it is distinct from many other calamities such as war and natural disasters in that the onset, if not the magnitude, of Y2K-related problems is relatively predictable. Therefore, preparations can be made to circumvent or at least mitigate the situation.
Indeed, computer programmers, hardware and software vendors and others allied with the industry are experiencing heightened demand for their goods and services to meet compliance needs.
Some firms, fearing supply disruptions in early 2000, are already increasing inventory of key materials. Such practices, together with compliance spending, are likely to boost national output this year.
Disruption phase: This phase is the one of greatest concern. It is generally expected to last a relatively short time, with most disruptions beginning around Jan. 1, 2000. There may be some malfunctions on Sept. 9, 1999, when the 9999 date code appears, since many types of software and databases use a sequence of nines as a default code.
Problems are also surfacing at present as credit-card expiration dates and other automated functions begin to reflect dates beyond 1999.
Adjustment phase: The adjustment phase will follow (and in some cases parallel) the disruption phase and will begin early next year. If severe problems have occurred, the adjustment phrase will be characterized by recovery and re-establishment of normal conditions.
Otherwise, the minor malfunctions will be corrected.
In addition , excessive inventories accumulated in 1999 will likely serve to dampen expenditures and output (real gross product).
Given the dynamic nature of the economy, vestiges of Y2K will likely linger for quite some time. The period of major adjustments, however, will probably be relatively short-lived.
It is obvious that the potential effects of Y2K are global in scope and far-reaching in their implication. It is additionally apparent that the outcomes are unknown.
Even so, being prepared is essential. A thorough examination of possible sources of disruptions, followed by remediation and testing, can lead a firm through the millennium change with flying colors.
Dr. M. Ray Perryman is president and CEO of The Perryman Group and business economist-in-residence at the Edwin L. Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University.
Over the past several months the Reporter has given some short presentations on the Year 2000 problem known as the Y2K problem. Our web site www.montserratreporter.org permanently carries links to other sites that carry information regarding this problem. It is our intention to continue to sensitize the public as to the seriousness of the problem.
Often the information may not be applicable to us here in Montserrat, as much of the information originate and aimed at the USA, but we should act informed.
Ten Steps To Take Now
From PC Magazine
March 22, 1999
Tiny processors have found their way into everything. Not all will work reliably.
Don't wait for the government to take care of them. Here are some ways to get involved.
Despite reports to the contrary, it's not too late to take steps to ensure it'll be business as usual.
Help ensure that the lights and heat stay on and emergency care is available.
No business is an island, so make sure those you do business with are also prepared.
Here's how to protect your business from the inevitable legal onslaught.
A few simple steps can ensure that your PC and applications are Y2K-ready.
Haven't heard what your employer is doing? It's time to start asking around.
Dispel myths about Y2K and make sure your community is taking reasonable measures.
Here are a few basic steps to cope with the local problems brought on by Y2K.
1: Home Contingency Plans
By Greg Alwang and Jim Seymour
"PC Magazine"
Come January 1, 2000, the odds are very good that your basic utilities -- power, heat,
telephone, and so on -- will be working. But some scattered outages and problems seem
likely. Just as you should be prepared in case of a natural disaster, such as an
earthquake, hurricane, you should prepare for the threat of this man-made outage. Only
this time, you've got plenty of warning. Prepare according to your own sense of what the
situation may be like in your area. One thing that is becoming clear is that Y2K-inflicted
problems will likely take on a very localized character.
In general, you should prepare for Y2K or any natural disaster in the same ways. (For our readers in the big countries north - Start to set aside extra nonperishable food and water. You should lay aside dried foods and canned goods now, as you have a chance. The incremental extra cost for buying a few extra packages a week now is a lot easier to handle than one big bill this December. Start buying large plastic jugs of water and storing them in a safe place. Or, start laying aside gallon-size milk and juice bottles that you can fill later on. You should have enough on hand for a couple of weeks.
Think about warmth. No matter how mild next winter may be, if you are without normal heat in your home for a couple of weeks, you'll probably need more blankets and warm clothing. This goes even if you have an alternate source of heat, such as a fireplace or wood-burning stove, or even if you have a generator. Do you have a nearby friend or relative with alternate heating? Does your community have a facility designated for such an emergency?)
Think about your personal medical needs: Does anyone in your family take insulin? Blood-pressure medicine? Estrogen-replacement drugs? You should have extra supplies of those prescriptions and any other supplies you'll need. Do you have flashlights and extra batteries -- and a radio that runs on batteries? Are your security systems and smoke alarms Y2K compliant?
Think about your finances. You should have paper copies of recent bank statements, ATM transactions, securities accounts, social-security statements, and receipts for monthly bills. If your bank's computers are down, it won't be able to supply you with records, but your bills will still come due. You'll have copies ready to send as proof of the status of your accounts. And, as always, you should back up your important computer data files.
Consider keeping a supply of cash on hand -- on the chance that the financial system is disrupted or stores cannot process credit cards. (Anticipating a larger than usual demand for cash, the Federal Reserve Bank has already begun printing $50 billion in additional currency.)
All these preparations make sense in general, in case problems arise later this year or after the New Year turns; we should be prepared -- not surprised.
There's a huge gap between rational preparations for possible interruptions and survivalist-style bunkering against the end of life as we have known it. Preparation makes sense; anticipating Armageddon does not.
2: Help Spread Awareness
By Greg Alwang,
"PC Magazine"
Ignorance is bliss. That's the way many people are dealing with Y2K right now. Some people
are already sick of hearing about it. The media already seem to have overhyped the
subject, and it's only Spring. The danger, of course, is that people will tune out and do
nothing. Yes, ignorance is bliss -- until "it" sneaks up and bites you where it
hurts.
Each person who understands Y2K must be a part of raising awareness about the potential problems -- and the ways to manage them rationally -- within the reaches of their own social and business circles. This is definitely a situation where an ounce of prevention will be worth a pound (or many pounds) of cure. But each person will have to play a part.
Granted, lost in most of the early media coverage is that much has already been done, and much is under way, across many public and private sectors. Much is being accomplished on a local basis. Still, much remains to be done. Indeed, the danger of hearing about what has been accomplished is that people may be lulled into a false sense of security: "I don't need to worry. Others are taking care of this." Don't assume that is the case.
Last October, the U.S. Senate passed the Year 2000 Disclosure Act, designed in part "to encourage the disclosure and exchange of information" in dealing with the Y2K problem. Though the press has painted a pretty grim picture of Y2K, this sharing of information and methodologies has served as a catalyst to Y2K compliance efforts in public and private sectors alike.
Many state governments are offering information and seminars to leaders of municipalities, covering how to identify and correct Y2K problems. Following the states' lead, many municipalities across the country have begun to appropriate funds to provide Y2K-specific training and educate citizens on the progress of Y2K compliance. Check with your local organizations to see whether any Y2K-readiness seminars are offered in your area.
For information on the progress of local Y2K compliance, visit your state's Web page. It's usually www.state.xx.us, where xx is your state's abbreviation. For example, www.state.nc.us takes you to North Carolina's site, where there's a quick link to the state's Year 2000 Project.
Spread the word through your own social circles, such as community organizations, business associations, church groups, school associations, and health clubs. Don't rule out, neighbors, friends, and relatives. Most important, stay tuned to the readiness information in your local community. We're all in this together, and the better informed and prepared we are, the easier the transition will be.
Principal Nursing Officer Draws on 27Years’ Experience
Ms. Valerie Lewis joined the Nursing staff at Glendon Hospital in 1972. She held
positions of Staff Nurse, Clinical Instructor and Sister Tutor, and was appointed
Principal Nursing Officer (PNO) in 1997.
Her experience in Nursing is wide and covers areas such as Midwifery, Ophthalmology, Mental Health and Nursing Education. Among other qualifications, she holds a Certificate in Public Administration; Certificate in Nursing Education and BSc.N. (Hons) from the University of the West Indies.
Ms.Lewis serves on several Nursing Committees at local and regional level and is also External Examiner for the Regional Examination for Nurses.
As PNO her main responsibility is to co-ordinate all Nursing Services within the country; advise the Permanent Secretary and Chief Medical Officer on all matters related to Nursing; monitor the delivery of Nursing Care at all levels and direct Nursing Education activities.
In addition to her duties as PNO she is also the Disaster Co-ordinator for the Health Department.
Ms. Lewis believes that Nursing is a noble profession from which one can derive much benefit. It is a profession that has no gender barrier and she would personally like to see more men entering the profession. However, she warned that the profession requires much commitment and dedication and should not be treated as merely a job.
Because of the advances made in Nursing Education, it is her belief that today’s Professional Nurse is a well-rounded person who can fit into any sphere of society . She is a strong advocate of continuing education and always encourages her staff to avail themselves of the opportunity to enhance their personal and professional growth.
Ms. Lewis believes in striving for excellence but says that in order to succeed one must set goals and work towards those goals.
With regard to the future, the PNO thinks that although the next millennium would be challenging, there is scope for the Nursing Profession.
However, in order to enhance the image of the Profession, Nurses need to change their own self-image where necessary, for the image of the Nursing Profession is dependent on its members developing a positive professional image.
(Week Ending March 12 1999)
By Justin "Hero" Cassell, Agricultural Development Officer
"Eat From the Land, Not from the Can"
Coming Soon
The Ministry of Agriculture in conjuction with Caribbean Research and Development Institute (CARDI) will be hosting a two-day workshop on Integrated Pest Management on January 29 and 30, 1999. The venue will be announced at a later date.
Papaya Seedlings Available
The Forestry section of the Department of Agriculture has available a limited number of papaya seedlings for distribution. Interested persons can collect plants at the Forestry Nursery located to the rear of the Customs Office at Brades, daily between 9 am and 1 pm.
Reflex Action
Dear Reuben, please don’t take offense;
Your heliport, ferry comments,
While splendid suggestions
Faced knee-jerk rejections,
Just because they make so much sense.
High and Dry
Hear ye, let the message go forth,
Isles Bay is restored to the north;
Still among its futilities
Is the lack of utilities,
So what’s all that free access worth?
Jus wonderin if the traffic control department has seen a big white truck perilously parked at a corner in Old Town.
Jus wonderin why so much concern is being expressed about the reoccupation of W.H. Bramble Airport when for those of us whose memory serves us well, will remember the years of 1995,1996, and 1997 where workers were down there playing Russian Roulette.
Jus wonderin when Mr. Labour Speaks would learn to stick to labour issues and leave the politics alone.
Jus wonderin why the husband and wife team of housing department sit face to face sharing the same desk at the Agriculture Department.
Jus wonderin if the CM is going to give us more details about the Rice Mill Industry.
Jus wonderin how near the Drummonds Road is to completion.
Jus wonderin when the people adjacent to the Heliport will receive compensation for damages done to their property and businesses.
Jus wonderin if rumours are true that the CM have so much froth down here and no mauby when he goes to England.
Jus wonderin why the Minister is so reluctant to discuss the education act in public.
Jus wonderin if the same education act will even be discussed on radio.
Jus wonderin why call cards are so expensive compared to direct dialing.
Jus wonderin why it is so expensive just to put down a little piece of airstrip.
Jus wonderin if the price control department still exists.
Jus wonderin if the TEMPORARY GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS will now become permanent.
Jus wonderin if a certain Minister is willing to accept an unnecessary emergency air strip at Geralds so that Montserrat can get a sporting facility.
Jus wondering if this same Minister is accepting the British carrot just so the Minister can say that they did one thing for Montserrat during their term of office.
Jus wondering if Tony Blair knows that DFID’s ‘good ole boy network’ wants to waste $40m to rehabilitate W H Bramble.
Jus wondering if the losses in Plymouth were not a grand enough mistake. Jus wondering if DFID wants to top that mistake by committing forcing an even bigger one at W H Bramble and Geralds.
Jus wondering if it is true that HMG/DFID has already procured two Twin Otters(you know, those planes that LIAT just recently got rid of.
Jus wondering if the cost of those Twin Otters will come out of the money allocated to Montserrat.
Jus wondering if that is the reason for forcing the return to W H Bramble and for an emergency strip at Geralds.
Jus wondering if these Twin Otters will be used as the DFID boys and girls private air service.
Jus wondering how many millions of dollars Gibb Consulting firm has collected from DFID, so far, and how much more useless consulting jobs will be given to them.
Jus wondering what would happen, if the civil service started paying salaries and wages based on goal achievement and good quality output systems, how many members of the service would go home with no pay checks.
Jus wonderin if it is true the Education and Social Minister refused to support the Rotoractors painting because they were not considered a youth group by her.
C&W Year 2000 Readiness Statement
Dear Valued Customer,
Preparing for the Year 2000
As we are approaching the Year 2000, there are a number of computer related issues which, potentially we both may have to face and we trust that you have taken steps to ensure your own Y2K readiness.
During the last 12 months, we have been actively addressing and preparing ourselves to provide you with a continuous service. In this regard, we want to assure you that we have taken steps to ensure that by July 1999 we will be Year 2000 compliant. Thereafter, we will be testing our readiness on a continuous basis.
In addition to the above precautions, we have also made arrangements for alternative measures to service your banking needs, in the unlikely event that we experience any difficulty with our computers. Please be assured that we will be proactive in doing whatever is necessary to take care of your banking requirements.
We will be ensuring that we continue to deserve the confidence, which you have shown in us over the years.
Your Bank…Your Future.
MANAGMENT
IS MOVING
From May 1, 1999 our new location is on the main road into Old Towne in the house between Salem Police Station and the Catholic Church
We hope this will be a convenient location for everyone.
Our numbers will remain the same.
Tel: 664 491 8666 Fax: 664 491 8668 Email: wirealest@candw.
Address: Box 355, Montserrat, BWI
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: editor@montserratreporter.org
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