Budget Debaters Look at Deficits, Private
Sector
Debate on the 2001 budget
took place on Monday, when members of the new Legislative Council spoke on the
issues raised during Chief Minister’s John Osborne's budget address last
Friday.
During his budget speech,
the Chief Minister, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, projected a
deficit of $28.6 million. Expenditures were estimated to be $55.3 Million, and
Revenue stands at $26.6 Million. The government will also spend $77.8 Million on
development projects.
Mr. Osborne said the budget
set the stage for actions geared towards self-sufficiency. To reach that level,
however, he said the private sector has to be the driving force within the
economy, with the government as enabler. CM Osborne noted that the economy is
still in crisis and that the island is locked in a severe framework, retarding
recovery from the volcanic emergency.
Addressing the local economy the CM said,
"In 2001, we have continued to feel
the effects of high fuel prices and their impact on charges for diesel-generated
electricity. These have in turn produced undesirable consequences for inflation.
…It is clear that price movements on essential items can lead to high rates of
inflation. This is one thing we must avoid."
Referring to the negative growth of the
economy he cited in part the slow pace of implementing several public sector
projects which should have brought important economic benefits to the island
last year. As a
consequence of this, he promised, "The first order of business for this
government is to fully investigate this situation and remove the bottlenecks
that have robbed the economy of the full benefits of these projects. It is clear that economic performance during recent years has
been driven by construction and government services. Therefore, we must not
tolerate any further delays in the implementation of these projects."
In related news, the
Montserrat and British governments will meet next month to discuss spending for
the next three years. Those discussions will focus on the Country Policy Plan
(CPP). CPP is a strategy paper
prepared by the United Kingdom government every three years, and sets out the
government’s Development Assistance Programme. The talks, which had been
scheduled to take place at the end of last year and the beginning of this year,
were put on hold because of the collapse of the previous government. So far the U.K. Government has agreed in principle to spend
£55 million here over the next three years.
The provision of housing,
private sector development and infrastructure are expected to be the main issues
taken forward by the government of Montserrat during the talks.
That spending proposed by
the British government, however, may not be adequate to meet the objectives of
the new government. That doubt was expressed by Deputy Political Leader, and
Minister for Communication and Works, Dr. Lowell Lewis, who believes that it is
imperative to implement certain measures to compensate for the reduction of
British aid over the next few years.
“If you tell us in
advance” said Dr. Lewis, “that by the year 2004 your aid is going to be less
than £10 million, and you have not made any attempt to produce the
infrastructure or the businesses that would allow you to produce the remaining
£30 million, or £20 million that you need to keep things going, it won’t
work. You’ll be bankrupt.”
He maintains that his
government has no problem being told that it has to be out of grant in aid by
2005, “ but you have to agree that in order for that to happen, we have to
have projected activities with revenues that will produce the money you did, to
balance us out. That is common sense,” he said.
It was clear that the whole
budget presentation hinged on the aid the British Government was prepared to
deliver and that the government would be looking for the time to put its own
house in order, recognizing that there must be problems they can deal with to
change the recurring ineffectiveness of the aid being delivered.
The opposition members
questioned to some extent the government's ability and sought explanations on
how it planned to earn the revenue it said it would, since the figures did not
match estimates and actuals from the year before.
The CM responded by
reaching out, saying he considered the opposition's presence as advice, and
refrained from answering the questions. Instead, he invited them to be a part of
the governing, but not the executive process.
"I want, when you see
the time come for negotiations, crucial negotiations -- I’m not saying
executive -- certainly with our aid donors and so on, that all nine of us sit
before them and discuss where we are going, or where it intends to take us. I
intend to discuss with them further, where they have made good points, to see if
we can implement those points that they have made along with ours, along with
the way we think."
Fixed-wing Airport A Priority -- Dr. Lewis
By Helena Durand
The
provision of an airport with fixed-wing facility is a priority for the John
Osborne Administration. The commitment to secure it came from the Hon. Minister
for Communication and Works Dr. Lowell Lewis during his contribution to the 2001
budget debate.
Dr.
Lewis said that government is committed to ensuring that Montserrat has an
airport that can accommodate at least a Dash 8 aircraft within the shortest
possible time.
In
the meantime, safety and upgrading work will continue at the Gerald’s
Heliport. He said, however,
notwithstanding the work at the heliport, efforts will be concentrated on
getting an airport which will enhance the economic development of Montserrat.
“We
must be able to accommodate a Dash 8 aircraft” Dr. Lewis said; “so that we
can access the services of LIAT and the Caribbean Star. It is the only economic
option, as by accessing these services, we’ll avoid the high overheads and
cost of contracting the services from smaller aircraft.”
He
said the increase per load of passengers and freight will keep prices
affordable, and also ensure “increased customer comfort and safety.” Any
short-term air access should be at the preferred location for the long-term
facility, he said
The
people of Gerald’s are adamant about keeping their lands," Dr. Lewis
explained, "and they’re demanding an alternative location for even the
temporary strip.”
He
said, as minister responsible for Communications and Works in collaboration with
colleagues, the airport is an important issue “that we are dealing with as a
matter of urgency to make sure that EU funds are not lost, and we can proceed
with an airport project for 1st July as scheduled. I am very
concerned that whatever project proceeds, will take into account all safety
issues and also provide us with the best economically suitable facility as
stated in my budget presentation.
"I
feel that we should attempt to access the services of LIAT and Caribbean Star as
soon as possible. In discussions with government, we have identified a location
other than Gerald’s Park which could be completed for $30 million. I am not an
airport expert, but I cannot ignore the concerns of experienced pilots who tell
me that the ghaut at both ends of the proposed (Gerald’s) Hilltop site would
generate turbulence which would not normally affect a helicopter, but would
affect fixed wing aircraft.
proposed airport site at Old Quaw
"I
understand from experienced pilots that the site at Old Quaw would have 1,600
meters of landing area, and is almost 10 percent off the alignment of the W H
Bramble airport and is much safer to approach since W H Bramble had to fly
towards the cliff and from there, left before landing. Because our number one
concern at the present time, is ensuring that the EU funds are not lost and an
airport project starts by July 1st, we are collaborating fully with
DFID and the Italian consultants to make sure that we do not have another white,
green, brown, or golden elephant.
Dr.
Lewis said the Management and Staff of Montserrat Aviation Services, in
collaboration with their partners in Antigua, Carib World Travel and Carib
Aviation Services, are doing an excellent job of ensuring that their services
operate efficiently. “However they look forward to seeing the arrival of LIAT
Dash 8s in Montserrat, with the capacity for transporting economically viable
numbers of passengers and quantities of freight.”
He
also said the government “wish to see the ferry operations
continue in the long term and support proposals for a project which would allow
the purchase of the ferry, the training of crew and maintenance staff so that it
becomes an asset of the people of Montserrat.”
Mr. Eugene Skerritt, Permanent Secretary in the
Ministry of Communications and Works, told the Montserrat Reporter that a
three-member team of Italian consultants is here assessing the Gerald’s site
for the temporary airstrip. There
were supposed to have been two teams, he said, but one was unable to come. The
team here will also be looking at other sites, he said. However, “Gerald’s
site is first because of the $10 million which we will get from the EU, if we
use that site and have it finalized in time for July 1st.”
The
Italians' job reference, he said, also includes safety measures where the site
is concerned. He said if the orientation is not correct, for instance if they
find that there are “too much wind gusts and other mitigating factors, then
there will be no accord. You could cut a flat piece of land any place, but it
doesn’t mean it’s good for an airstrip.”
While
here the team will meet the Chief Physical Planner, architects at the Public
Works Department, officials at the MVO, and also fly to Antigua to talk with
airlines there.
An airport with the facilities for landing a
fixed-wing aircraft, likely a Dash 8 aircraft, may be more of a dream than most
people realize, as the Committee for the Redevelopment of Montserrat (CRM)
express their dissatisfaction with Gerald’s Park as a venue consideration.
The CRM met with two Montserratian pilots at the
heliport earlier today to discuss the future of air access to the island in the
near future. The pilots also met
with government and the consultants and made some contributions to the
discussion regarding air traffic in Montserrat. Both pilots, Tony Meade and Carl
Burke, also recorded their serious reservations about the possibility of an
airstrip, whether temporary or otherwise, being constructed at Gerald’s Park.
Montserratian pilots Carl Burke and Tony Meade
Mr. Burke told reporters at a press conference
today that among concerns which haunt him about the proposed airstrip project at
Gerald’s are, “When Dr. Lewis invited me down to have this discussions this
morning, I realized that the government of Montserrat is committed to using its
resources available to it to make a sensible decision and also an informed
decision about an airport in Montserrat. The runway being proposed at this time
is approximately 500 meters, which in the Caribbean is pretty much a short
runway and requires a STAL aircraft to operate in and out of that airfield.”
STAL, he, said means Short Takeoff And Landing.
“The main concern” he said, “was obviously
the location, also the adjacent terrain and any other safety issues which we may
have considered. One of the things that we focussed on was the turbulence in
such a location, and in the final analysis, it was decided that an airport being
on the northeastern or eastern side of the island would inherently have some
form of turbulence.”
Mr. Meade noted, “My main concerns for
Gerald’s were one, the length of the strip, the location of the strip. The
proposed 500-meter or thereabout strip would put that strip probably in the
shortest strip in the Caribbean.”
The STAL operation, he said, is a very critical
operation requiring very experienced pilots and certain conditions. “It
reduces the margin of safety, and this is in the manual of the particular
aircraft,” he said.
He stated that using STAL aircraft means “that
basically you’re flying very close to the edge of the operation enclosed of
this aircraft. Any deviation in speed, windspeed…and you could run into
problems. “
As
an example, he used the recent crash on St. Barts. The aircraft in question was
a STAL aircraft. “Obviously the pilot got into some difficulty which he could
not handle, as a result 20 people lost their lives.”
“It
is a very difficult and expensive operation when you are talking about airports.
And when you are putting down a temporary strip, it is going cost you money that
is wasted, if you are not going to use that site again for an airport. So let us
look at something which is more long-term, and a viable opposition which will
serve the country a lot better.”
Mr.
Burke said a 500-meter airport “would not be attractive to the scheduled
carriers to come into Montserrat; therefore, it will not be generating any
revenue for the country in terms of cargo operations, and in terms of local
taxes, the government collecting landing fees, departure taxes, things like
that, so that the airport could sustain itself. You’ll be more or less
confining yourself to this area which is going to be temporary, when in fact,
you may end up using it a for a long period.”
He
conceded with the Editor of the Montserrat Reporter that yes, the aircraft would
be flying over a populated area, putting not only the passengers at risk, but
the people on the ground as well.
Member
of the CRM Mr. Raymond Tyson said, “I think the Gerald’s project is doomed
from the beginning, because there is no future development and Montserrat needs
an infrastructure over a period of time. If we don’t have an airport or a
runway, it’s like not having a telephone to the outside world. If this is
going to be a temporary situation, then we going to end up with it being a
permanent situation.” He said there are alternatives which the committee has
looked at.
Mr.
Julian Romeo of the CRM expressed his horror at the very idea of placing an
airstrip at Gerald’s, temporary or not. “As far as CRM is concerned, we
smell death.! We smell the death of human beings. We smell the death of a
society, which is Gerald’s and the people of St. John’s, having to move
them. We smell the economic death that would stench Montserrat for years, if
we’re locked into this little room we have here…We smell total disaster for
Montserrat as far as Gerald’s is concerned. And we want to let the people of
Gerald’s know especially, and Montserrat, that we are behind not having an
airport. ”
"After Little Debate,
Coming to Grips With Our 'Take It or Leave It' Budget"
Last year we described our
legislators as lacklustre as they went through the motions of debating a budget,
while even opposition members sympathized with a government 'whose hands are
tied' when it comes to decisions regarding the finances of the island. This year
the budget debate took on the appearance more of a discussion than a debate as
the Chief Minister refused to take on the challenges and questions posed by the
opposition.
The honourable CM and
currently minister of finance, John Osborne, commenting on the fact that there
was not the usual scathing opposition attack at budget debates, said: "I
have to say that they’re being very cooperative, I would even like to say that
they’re being very kind…; all that they have said in my opinion, Mr.
Speaker, is to help the government to function better. It’s the first time I
have come to a house where you have so-called Opposition and all they have to
say is to advise the government how to make better decisions and I appreciate
that a hell of a lot.”
Once the budget speech was
read on Friday the stage was set, and a fresh legislature must have been
somewhat taken aback to find so little to find comment on. In the first place,
the budget was taken up from the previous administration, with few or no changes
as promised by the new administration. They cited legal constraints allowing no
time to prepare one of their own, plus the fact that the British Government had
already allocated their aid to Montserrat in their own completed budgetary
arrangements for 2001.
In the unavoidable
grant-in-aid atmosphere, the most that the opposition could do was ask questions
regarding figures presented on some revenue items in the estimates.
Based on the budget
presentation and the brief responses in support of it by other ministers, Minister of Communications & Works
Dr. Lowell Lewis came in for congratulatory remarks for his summary of the true
state of affairs for Montserrat, financial and otherwise.
He began: "Everyone is
aware of the constraints that our team met on coming to office.
Most, if not all of our finances come from the Department for
International Development henceforth referred to as DFID.
"The business of
Montserrat has suffered from five years of mismanagement and wastage.
I quote from the United Kingdom House of Commons Select Committee Report
of March 1997: 'The committee was appalled at what they saw in Montserrat, at
the conditions the people were having to endure, and at the mismanagement and
confusion which have been evident throughout the crisis.'"
The appalling information
that the island was currently in worse decline from being at a standstill,
following the expenditure of a very small amount of the development aid package,
was a subject of discussion, especially when it seems it will be months before
projects approved under that program will be ready for implementation. What is
even more distressing is that the projects may all have to be re-invented.
This new government is
under pressure to curtail if not undo some of the wasteful habits of the
purseholders who offer the money, but spend it the way they feel like,
encouraged by the attitude and behaviour of their own managers and policy
framers.
They are under the strain
of turning around the successful efforts of allocations which do nothing to
develop our economy. The honourable Clare Short's words so far have been carried
out to the fullest, since she promised that no one in Montserrat must benefit
economically from British aid in our disaster. Sure, offer "golden
elephants" and all, allocate huge sums, but make sure that the projects are
cumbersome and pay as much as possible to our own British workers/consultants
(in Montserrat) -- hazard allowances, weekend breaks. Have our own British
workers frustrate implementations. Ensure that no one can then refute our dear
and now former Governor Abbott's contention that it doesn't make sense to say
that Britain has other motives when they are giving us so much money.
Take the airport issue,
which this new government is taking on as its #1 priority, because of the
pressing need not to lose promised European Union funds and because of the
extreme importance an airport is to Montserrat. Sure they have promised and will
give us an airport. But do they care that this airport will do nothing to
improve lives and livelihood in Montserrat? Do they care lest this become
another "white elephant," like the Government Headquarters and Davy
Hill housing?
It is our understanding
that a project currently underway to effect repairs at the Government
Headquarters reveals that it would already be cheaper to build a new GHQ than to
fix what is there. As for the Davy Hill houses, they should be just pushed away
and new houses reconstructed. On top of that, many of the homes at Lookout fall
in the same category, not to mention the waste involved in their construction.
Yes we need an airport, but
one that offers us a future and improves our current air facility, without any
safety hazards whatsoever. Today there are (EU) experts on island to begin
looking into the overall preparations for an airport at Geralds, but we expect
that the government will be pushing them to look at the latest proposal of a new
site, one that we know the present Minister at Communications and Works has
reports on, and one that from all reports satisfies the conditions of our
advisors.
Also with us are our own
long-standing senior pilots, working with LIAT and Caribbean Star, who advise
that it makes no sense for many reasons to put an airport at Geralds. Not least
of those reasons is building an airport in an area that is one of the island's
current and will be one of its biggest housing developments, and near the
island's only hospital -- an airport referred to as temporary and with no
extension possibility whatever. It sure is pleasing to hear the CRM group
finally say their recommendation will be NO to an airport at Geralds.
Except for the
editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily those
of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers.
Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles.
All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are
welcome. Send your contributions to The Editor, P.O. Box 306,
Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org.
Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped
envelope. The Montserrat Reporter
is a privately owned independent newspaper.
Jus Wonderin items
may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430
It Takes Time To Be Near And Know
Jesus said to him, “Have
I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Phillip? (John
14: 9)
Getting
to know someone takes a long time, and the knowing cannot be forced. It happens
over time and through love. It would take time for Phillip to know just how
close Jesus was to him. It would take time for Phillip to know that Jesus was
becoming a living part of his very life-- and that he was being invited to
become a living part of the life of Jesus.
This sharing in the divine
life is the gift of the Father through the working of the Spirit. We already
share in this fullness through baptism, yet over time, we learn more and
celebrate better who we are in the Lord.
The church is the mystery
of God’s self-disclosure. Through all its forms, it is where God gives
himself. Yes, I could say I know that all along, but I am so much like Phillip,
so near to Jesus and yet so far from understanding him. Phillip stayed and grew,
through God’s grace, in the knowledge of the Lord. In the staying is the
knowing. It takes time and faith -- and a prayer that the Lord be generous to us
with both.
1 Corinthians 15:1-8; Psalm
19:2-5; John 14:6-14
Rising Unemployment Raised in Budget Debate
By
Helena Durand
Opposition Leader Reuben T.
Meade is concerned about the lack of employment on the island for young school
leavers.
He expressed that concern
at the budget debate on Monday. He said persons who have their children
attending school elsewhere may not be as concerned,
“but (for) children leaving school in Montserrat, there must be
opportunities for those children to obtain employment, not to seek employment,
to obtain employment.”
For those who do not have
the requisite skills, he said, job attachment and job placements, could be made.
“Some of these kids could
be assigned to a particular business or an institution and be given some pocket
change as they continue to learn to adapt to the business world; so that they
too can become contributors to our economic development,” he said.
That may be easier said
than done, however, as the Montserrat economy continues to fail.
Teresina Bodkin of the
Development Unit said in an interview with the Montserrat Reporter that a social
survey conducted by the Unit in 1997 revealed that there was a 6-percent
unemployment rate, at a time when most of the people had migrated overseas.
She believes that the
current figure is closer to 10 percent of unemployment, primarily because by the
end of 1998/99, the housing projects were finished and unemployment was
“pushed upwards.” There has not yet been another survey.
Mrs. Roselyn Cassell-Sealy,
Director of the National Development Foundation of Montserrat and newly elected to the Legislative Council, told
the Montserrat Reporter, “the economy is in a bad state and something has to
give. The business sector is under intense pressure.”
She said there was a steep
decline between 2000 and 2001. “Business people are experiencing difficulties
and the feedback is that casual workers are being laid off.”
More and more people, she
said, are seeking financial help from NDFM, wanting to be self-employed. That
demand for assistance, she said, will continue to increase unless there is some
stimulation of economic activity.
She noted too that even if
one wanted to get into a new business, there is no market for a new traditional
business, “because there is no demand for goods and services as the people
have no money.”
Mrs. Cassell-Sealy said
that for the time being, the construction industry holds the key to the economic
growth, construction of housing projects, or government offices, whichever.
“Some economic stimulation” she said, “must begin soon.”
The fact that EC$1.6
Million, is expected to be harvested from taxes imposed on imports and company
tax, Mrs. Cassell-Sealy said at the budget debate, may well be the straw that
breaks the back of the private sector, which is currently experiencing severe
cash shortages. She noted that a further decline is expected in the economy, and
it will undoubtedly affect the private sector’s ability to meet its tax
obligations.
“I’m a little concerned
that it would seem as if, an increase of $700,000 is anticipated to be collected
from Company Tax. While I have to commend the government of Montserrat for its
initiative in strengthening the collection of taxes, I have a concern that the
private sector may not necessarily be able to meet these expectations; and as
such then, I would want to ask, has the government considered a plan B, in the
event that there is a shortfall of tax collection? …because the business of
the country must be continued.”
Stress Management Workshop Focus
By
Helena Durand
A three-day Stress
Management and Disaster Preparedness Workshop (SMDP) was held this week at the
Vue Pointe Hotel, facilitated by Psychiatrist Dr. Davendra Sharma.
The training exercise was a
collaborated effort of the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), the
Emergency Department and the Ministry of Health.
Dr. Sharma focused on a
different aspect of disaster. “By and large, there is a lot of money and
effort put into the physical side of disaster, mass casualty and so on; that is
important, but also important is the emotional needs in the life, after the
disaster, or even before a disaster,” he said.
For instance, a volcano, he
said, has a long pre-impact phase, “So people get burned out, depressed,
fed-up, stressed; filled with uncertainty and fear, compared to an aircraft
crash where the emotional consequences are more post-impact.”
The workshop sought to help
through counseling those for whom disaster meant loss of family, property, home,
pet or livelihood.
Those who help were also
considered. “The helpers themselves often go unrecognized," Dr. Sharma
said, "but they have their own emotional needs because they have to deal
with stressful situations."
PAHO now recognizes stress
management as important, he said, in terms of general health and well being.
“If you can deal with your emotional side of yourself, you will become
stronger as a person.”
Skits were enacted in the
practical sessions of the workshop, portraying the various scenarios in which
the’ Helpers’ find themselves. These were assessed and their weaknesses and
strengths and evaluated.
During the workshop,
different groups and agencies came together to plan strategies for organizing a
programme. Dr. Sharma told the Montserrat Reporter that he hoped a central
committee could be organized as a sub-committee of the Emergency Department, to
formulate programme policies for the department.
Fire
without Permit Can Draw $100 Fine
A little
fire, says Mr. Andre West of the Fire Department, can lead to a big fire,
particularly in this dry and windy season.
He made
that statement after the Department responded to a fire in Salem recently. The
fire was set by a man who said that he “was just burning some bush.”
However, the bush fire got out of control, necessitating the services of the
Department.
Mr. West
told the Montserrat Reporter that the Department would like to remind residents
that it is an offense to light fires without a permit from the Fire Department.
“When
a permit is issued” he said, “The Department checks to ensure that the area
in which the fire will be lit, is safe; and also checks to ensure that a hose
and water are available.”
He said
if a hose and water are not available, a trench should be cleared around the
area to prevent the fire from spreading to nearby flammable material. He said
persons who continue to disregard the law as it pertains to this issue, will be
prosecuted and could be fined up to $100 for summary conviction.
Bank of Montserrat Names Anton Doldron
Manager
Mr. Anton Doldron of
Trinidad has been appointed Manager of the Bank of Montserrat Limited as of
April 1st, 2001.
A press release coming from the bank states that Mr. Doldron
has had 20 years banking experience, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in
Industrial Management and a Masters in Business Administration. Mr. Doldron
joined the Bank of Montserrat in January of 1998 as Assistant Manager. He had
been acting Manager from September 2000.
Prior to joining the bank,
Mr. Doldron held a number of senior positions in another indigenous bank in the
Caribbean.
He succeeds Mr. Gregory
DeGannes who is now manager of the Antigua Commercial Bank in Antigua.
Skepticism Greets CM's
Call for Unity
Chief Minister John Osborne
is seeking to have a government of National Unity in Montserrat, and promises to
do all it takes to include the Opposition in what his government does.
Opposition members Reuben Meade and Mrs. Roselyn Cassell Sealy
In his rebuttal to the
opposition's presentation at the
budget debate on Monday, C.M. Osborne said,
“Having listened to the honorable Reuben Meade, I also want to let him
know that even though they claim to be on the other side, this government is not
going to be government as usual like he is accustomed to before. We think he has
ability…and I’ve already given him notice that he will have some work to do.
What we intend to do from this side of the House, Mr. Speaker, is that
during our major negotiations, to make sure there is no misunderstanding, and to
make sure that the people know what is happening, we intend to invite them, both
of them, to join us, when we are talking to major aid donors to participate in
those negotiations.”
He said he did not want to
the make the mistakes he has seen made before by earlier governments, “having
to come out and explain to people what transpired in those meetings, and to be
accused of not doing what we are supposed to do.”
The people, he said, have
elected nine persons, and he does not feel that the responsibilities of the
country could be run only by his NPLM seven. “I want when the time comes for
negotiations, crucial negotiations, I’m not saying executive, but certainly
with our aid donors and so on, that all nine of us sit before them and discuss
where we’re going.”
Regarding the Chief
Minister’s plea for national unity, Mrs. Roselyn Cassell Sealy of the
Opposition told the Montserrat Reporter, that in her personal opinion, because
there is a government in place, she will in no way be a member of the
government. “I will absolutely
move to work with the government to ensure that what the government does is in
the interest of the people of Montserrat.”
She said in any country,
there is a need for guards to guard the guards. Therefore, she and opposition
leader Mr. Reuben Meade are the watchdogs on behalf of the society. “What we
can do, where it is required, is to work with the government to provide whatever
assistance they may need from time to time, and we both have the expertise to
give to them on behalf of the people.”
She stated that she and Mr.
Meade were put there to serve the people of Montserrat and that is what they
must do. She said her area of expertise is helping people start a business; and
if in that capacity she can influence the government’s policies, then she has
no qualm about working together with the government in the interest of the
people.
Mr. Meade has also
committed himself to working along with, and supporting the new government.
That, he said, is in keeping with a good opposition, but said he believes that
the Chief Minister may just have been paying lip-service.
“We are willing to make
our contribution where it is necessary and expedient to do so,” he said;
adding, “but we must also recognize that there are seven members on the
government side.”
He said government and DFID
had recent discussions in Montserrat, from which he and Mrs. Cassell-Sealy were
excluded. “So far it seems, these are just mere platitudes and talks.”
His position, he said, will
not be one of silence. His responsibility he noted, based on the electorate,
“is to provide critical support to government, which means providing
opposition in Parliament to policies which are detrimental to the people of
Montserrat.”
CRUCIAL WORKSHOP TOPICS WEIGH EARLY CHILDHOOD
By Cathy Buffonge
A most useful and
stimulating workshop for early childhood caregivers was held last week at the
Lookout school. Around 22 daycare and nursery teachers, parents, and others
involved in child-care attended the one 1½-day workshop, which was organized by
the Ministry of Education.
Sharing her experience and
ideas was resource person Dr. Angela Dekker of St. Maarten. Dr. Dekker, a mother
of four, is a psychologist specializing in early childhood education and
parenting. She is the director of SIFMA -- the Centre for Information and
Formation for the Welfare of Children.
Discussion centred around
many crucial aspects of child rearing. Dr. Dekker explained that the period from
birth to 4 years is the most important for brain development as well as social
and emotional development. "Education starts from birth," she said;
children learn through play and should be allowed and encouraged to play. In
discussing toys it was felt that toys don't need to be expensive and can be
improvised from things around the house.
Dr. Dekker explained that
it's important to talk to and give attention to babies and young children,
rather than leaving them to the continual background noise of TV, radio and
general conversation. She also
spoke about the negative influence of violent TV programmes on young children.
Parents should watch TV with their children so that they can check the content,
she said. Parents need to answer
children's questions, listen to their children's points of view, and talk with
(not at) their children.
Praising children is very
important, she said, as it builds their self esteem and confidence, and makes
them feel loved. There was much discussion about the negative effects of
labelling children as "stupid," "bad," "ugly" or
other such terms. These labels can stick to a child for life and are a severe
blow to children's self esteem, preventing them from reaching their potential,
since the child internalizes these labels and starts to believe them. This is a
form of emotional abuse.
Although participants were
in agreement about this, they felt that there are people out in the community
who will use these labels, sometimes even affectionately, without realizing the
damage this can do to a child, and it might be very difficult to stop this
habit. Perhaps some of these people were themselves labelled this way when they
were children. One should reinforce a child's good points. If the child does
something wrong it's OK to pull them up for what they did, but not to tell them
they are bad.
Sexual abuse of children
was another topic covered. Dr.
Dekker circulated a picture booklet which could be used by parents and teachers
to help young children to be aware of and avoid sexual abuse. This booklet has
been used successfully in St. Maarten and perhaps this idea could be adapted for
use here.
This was a most valuable
workshop, covering some very important topics. Education Officers Mrs. Eudora
Fergus and Mrs. Rosemund Meade also participated in the workshop, showing their
commitment. In opening the
workshop, Minister of Education Mrs. Idabelle Meade said, "People are our
number one resource. We must capitalize on our children." Also speaking at
the opening were Mrs. Fergus and Director of Education Mrs. Oslyn Jemmotte, both
stressing the importance of children's early development.
More such workshops would be very helpful in spreading the message,
perhaps using evenings so that more working parents could be involved.
Occupational Therapist In Montserrat for
2 Years
United Nations Volunteer
Tammy Foote has been recommended by the Department for International
Development (DFID) to serve as an Occupational Therapist to the Community
Services Department.
She took up her post on
April 17 and is scheduled to work with the Department for two years. For the
duration of her stay here, Ms. Foote will provide individual and group care for
nursing homes, and hospital patients who suffer from strokes and other
contractions.
She will also consult with
the Planning Division and architects who are involved in constructing new
sheltered housing on the island. Her role there is to ensure that proper
infrastructure is in place to cater to the needs of those whose mobility is
reduced.
Brades PTA Pledges To Combat Illiteracy
The Parents Teachers
Association of the Brades Primary School has vowed to improve the level of
literacy among students. In a statement commemorating PTA week, President Roy
Greaves said the association will work with education officials to eradicate
illiteracy in the government school. The theme of the week was
’Parents and teachers – a new partnership in education.’
“Children in primary
school at the various stages must be helped to thoroughly understand the rules
of English and Grammar, and learn to read, write and spell correctly,” Mr.
Greaves said. This, he said, was one of the reasons Parents and Teachers of the
Brades Primary PTA decided to pool their resources in a new partnership geared
at eradicating illiteracy and semi-illiteracy from their school.
The partnership, he said,
compels both parents and teachers to lead by examples, which the students must
feel impressed to imitate, ensuring that they do not settle for mediocrity, no
matter in what circumstances they may find themselves.
Kenneth Allen Named New Judge in Antigua
Montserrat-born Kenneth
Allen Q.C. has been appointed High Court Judge of Antigua.
In welcoming the new
addition, Attorney General Dr. Errol Curt said Judge Allen's being there will
greatly assist in reducing the backlog of cases in the High Court.
Judge Allen is no stranger
to Antigua, Dr. Curt said, because he has previously served as Acting Judge on
the island.
Consultant Develops Websites for Tourism
Ms. Sally McGea, a US Web Development
Consultant who is here in Montserrat representing Caribbean Programme for
Economic Competitiveness (CPEC),
has emphasized the need for businesses here to pay more attention to the
promotion of their services on line.
Sally McGea
“One never knows who’s
looking and why,” she told the Montserrat Reporter. Being here, she said, is
part of a venture undertaken in conjunction with the Montserrat Tourist Board
and the National Development Foundation of Montserrat (NDFM), but funded by
CPEC.
During her six -week stay,
she will organise training for website development in the tourism sector. “The
training will look at planning to marketing,” she said.
Already she has met several
clients in tourism related areas such as hotels, restaurant, taxi drivers,
guesthouses, and real estate agents.
So far she said it is going
very well. “Everybody has different needs, but for the most part, people are
just so pleased at how easy it is to get a website going and to maintain it.”
Product Development Officer
at the Montserrat Tourist Board Mrs. Donna Mae Tuitt says the programme will
allow visitors to the island to know what to expect before they come. Using the
internet as a promotional tool, she said, will also improve the overall
development of Montserrat’s tourism product.
At the completion of her
six-week training efforts here, Ms. McGea said she will be back to assess the
progress and monitor how well the businesses are keeping their sites.
Pink Mealy Bug Fight Continues in Antigua
Antigua, CANA - Antigua and Barbuda
is expected to turn to St. Kitts or Grenada for wasps in its fight against the
dreaded Pink Mealy Bug plant pest.
Janille Gore, Plant Protection Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture, ruled out
the introduction of beetles as the level of infestation was not high.
"The bio-control agent that we
would be looking to use would be a wasp and we are looking towards perhaps
Grenada or St. Kitts who already have insectories in place to produce these
wasps," she told the Caribbean News Agency (CANA).
Ms. Gore said that since the discovery of the Pink Mealy Bug here in December
last year, infestation has been restricted to hibiscus and soursop trees.
Experts are also keeping an eye out to see whether Sea Island Cotton, an
important crop here, is affected.
The Agriculture Ministry official attributed the control of the pest to a public
education drive as well as a species of natural predator wasp that is believed
to have accompanied the Pink Mealy Bug to Antigua and Barbuda.
The Pink Mealy Bug has been spotted here despite heavy vigilance including the
banning of agricultural imports from Guyana and other sister Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) countries where the pest was discovered.
Antigua and Barbuda imports agricultural produce from Dominica and the United
States,.
About five years ago, the Pink Mealy Bug destroyed hundreds of thousands of
dollars in agricultural and horticultural produce in Antigua.
US Said to be Resisting OECD on 'Harmful Taxes'
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CANA -- The
U.S. is showing some resistance to the campaign by the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Development (OECD) to crack down on so-called "tax
havens" in its bid to curb international money laundering and other
financial crimes.
The change arose at the just-concluded Group of Seven meeting in Washington when
the world's leading industrialised nations failed to get the US to be identified
with the OECD's position. The OECD communique deplored harmful tax competition
in some 35 so-called "uncooperative" jurisdictions that include the
Caribbean region.
At last month's Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Prime Minister
Lester Bird of Antigua and Barbuda had written President George W. Bush seeking
U.S. support against what this region considers as the unfair, harmful and
illegal efforts of the OECD to force changes in the competitive tax practices in
their banking sector.
According to Antigua and Barbuda's High Commissioner Sir Ronald Sanders, it was
apparent that President Bush and his Treasury Secretary have considered the
"strong views" of the Caribbean as expressed at the meeting of Finance
Ministers of the Western Hemisphere in Toronto and subsequently at the Summit of
the Americas in Quebec City.
The Caribbean is among some 35 jurisdictions threatened with unilateral economic
sanctions by the OECD. It is felt that without US support for its campaign to
compel jurisdictions to confirm to OECD guidelines on competitive tax practices,
it would be difficult for the organisation to succeed in its campaign which it
is aggressively marketing as aimed at curbing money laundering and other illicit
financial transactions.
Airport Project Aims At
Tiny Pitcairn Island
A recent article in the
(UK) Guardian newspaper about Pitcairn Island, current population 42, says that
a New Zealand construction consortium wants to build TWO airports (one in
Pitcairn, the other on uninhabited Oeno island), a four star hotel, and two
lodges, and to run package tours limited to 30 visitors at a time.
The company reportedly also promises roads and a fish processing plant. In
return it wants exclusive development rights for the whole island, in return for
10 percent of the profits to the islanders.
The adult islanders have voted 22 for, 6 against. Pitcairn
Island's population has dropped from 230 during World War II and looks in danger
of dropping to nothing, as most of the children go to New Zealand to school at
age 16 and don't want to come back.
Earlier this year it was
reported that the British Government was looking favourably at building an
airport on the island at a cost that was said to make it prohibitive.
Antigua Seeks End To
Financial Curbs
LONDON, CANA - Antigua and
Barbuda High Commissioner in London Sir Ronald Sanders, has written to the
governments of the United Kingdom and the United States asking to have the
financial advisories imposed by those countries in 1999 lifted.
"Prime Minister Lester Bird has personally spearheaded the effort to ensure
that Antigua and Barbuda's anti-money laundering legislation and enforcement
machinery meets the highest international standards," Sir Ronald said in a
statement Wednesday.
He added that amendments to Antigua's money laundering legislation signed into
law this week, and the strengthening of the Financial Intelligence Unit with the
allocation of more resources put Antigua and Barbuda ahead of the vast majority
of countries in the world.
Sir Ronald revealed that the Financial Intelligence Unit under the direction of
Wrenford Ferrance had successfully handled a relatively large number of
suspicious activity reports from banks there and had cooperated fully with
foreign agencies in the prosecution of culprits.
"Representatives of both the UK and US governments have acknowledged the
fact that the Antigua and Barbuda government is in compliance with the highest
international standards and stands head and shoulders above others," Sir
Ronald said.
In June 2000, Antigua and Barbuda
was found by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) to be one of the few
countries in the Caribbean that is fully cooperative in the prevention of money
laundering.
Project Will Train Groups for Disabled
KINGSTON,
Jamaica, CANA - A two-year development project is now being undertaken in the
Caribbean to strengthen the institutional capacity of organisations dealing with
the disabled.
Part of the undertaking is the expansion of training and employment
opportunities for members of this target group, as well as sensitising the
public to disability issues.
Implementation of the project, which is financed jointly by the Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), is being
spearheaded by the Disabled Peoples' Organisations of the Caribbean (DPOC) based
here.
"Over the years, programmes for persons with disabilities have faltered
because of inadequate funding and the fact that volunteers, who do much of the
work, do not have the necessary managerial and technical skills," said DPOC
regional director, Derrick Palmer, in a press statement Wednesday.
Noting that training was a major component in the project, he said that the
ultimate aim was to "enable Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs) to manage
their affairs more effectively and thereby improve the quality of service they
provide to their clients."
It is envisaged that the project will help to pave the way for long-term
sustainability of DPOC affiliates in the 13 Caribbean nations, which will
benefit from the programme.
Participating countries are Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados,
Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia,
Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Windwards, EU Talk Of Banana Troubles
Compiled from dispatches
St. Lucia, CANA - The prime ministers
of the four Windward Islands, European Union (EU) officials and regional fruit
marketers met Wednesday to discuss issues crucial to the survival of the
troubled banana industry.
As the meeting took place,
Gordon Baker, British High Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean,
told reporters, "It's now a case of do or die for the Windward banana
industry."
The talks related to money
for struggling farmers and the project, exports to Europe and other concerns for
an industry that is a major source of foreign exchange and jobs.
The discussions involved representatives of the Windward Islands Banana
Development and Exporting Company (WIBDECO), which markets bananas for the four
islands - Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent.
The meeting looked at recent developments in the banana industry, including the
new EU/US agreement on the banana trade.
"The onus is certainly
on the islands to get their act together," Mr. Baker said, "as there
are substantial funds available from the EU and other donors for that
purpose."
The officials discussed the
rate of disbursement of EU assistance and other issues pertaining to the banana
industry, including the recent agreement between the EU and Washington to end
their longstanding banana dispute.
Mrl Baker said there was a plan
which the Windward Islands Banana Development and Exporting Company (WIBDECO)
has put together for streamlining the industry, and developing a market for
Windward Islands bananas, as a banana of choice on the UK market.
Bananas are a major source
of foreign exchange and employment in all the islands, but the industry is going
through tough times.
Caribbean fruit growers' long-standing preferential access to the European
market has come under a beating in recent years, with competitors arguing it was
against the tenets of free trade.
Bush Asks New Deadline For Illegal Immigrants
WASHINGTON, CANA-Reuters
- President George W. Bush urged lawmakers on Tuesday to extend the April 30
deadline that allows illegal immigrants with family or sponsors in the United
States to apply for legal status without leaving the country.
Mr. Bush sent a letter to congressional leaders urging them to extend the
deadline, saying approximately 200,000 undocumented immigrants were eligible to
file for legal status but did not manage to meet the deadline.
Under the law, signed by former President Bill Clinton, immigrants who had
entered the United States illegally but who had close family or a sponsor that
would allow them to adjust their status would be granted a limited amnesty if
they filled out the proper paperwork by midnight on April 30.
In his letter to the top lawmakers, Mr. Bush urged Congress to consider whether
there had been enough time for people to apply for an adjustment of status
before the deadline expired.
Cable
& Wireless Sponsors 2-day Investment Seminar
Cable
& Wireless is co-sponsoring a two-day international conference in Jamaica
intended to update investors and other players in the global financial market on
developments in the Caribbean and its future as a connected and integrated
region.
The
inaugural Euromoney & Latin Finance Caribbean Investment Forum, titled
"Investing in a Connected Future", will be held in Montego Bay on May
9 and 10 at the Half Moon Club.
Speakers
scheduled include Jamaica's Prime Minister P. J. Patterson and Barbados' Prime
Minister Owen Arthur, other government ministers from Dominica and Barbados and
senior representatives of the World Trade Organization, the Organization for
Economic Co-operation and Development, and the Economic Commission for Latin
America and the Caribbean.
Some
200 participants are expected to attend the conference and its workshop sessions
at which representatives of several entities involved in international
telecommunications, Internet and e-commerce, tourism and capital markets will
explore the latest developments and opportunities in their respective fields.
Other
sponsors of the conference include state-run and private sector organizations
from Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago and international consulting
firms Bear, Stearns and Co. Inc., and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
St. Vincent PM Intervenes For Jobless Cameron Cuffy
St. Vincent, CANA - St. Vincent and
the Grenadines Prime Minister, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, has intervened personally to
try and obtain reinstatement for West Indies pacer Cameron Cuffy, one of 41
Cable & Wireless employees who were sent home last Friday.
Dr. Gonsalves told Ian Kyle, general manager of Cable & Wireless operations
in St. Vincent, both by telephone
and in a letter that "Mr Cuffy is a treasured national of St Vincent and
the Grenadines and an exemplary son of our Caribbean civilisation who has
brought much glory to our people in the field of cricket."
"Surely, if your
company finds that it is unable to retain Mr. Cuffy in his current job an
appropriate posting possibly relating to sports development in your company and
the country could be found. Let us face it, Mr. Cuffy is a special individual
deserving of special treatment."
Mr. Kyle told the Caribbean News
Agency Tuesday that the company is in discussion with government about the
issue.
Mr. Cuffy, who has been with Cable & Wireless since graduating from
secondary school, worked in the technical department as a survey officer, a
company official said.
On Tuesday he was named a goodwill ambassador for St. Vincent and the
Grenadines.
OECS Team to Study Reshaping Secretariat
Compiled from dispatches
St. George's, Grenada, CANA
- Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) leaders ended a special
meeting in Grenada last weekend with an agreement to appoint a seven-member
technical team to determine the extent to which the St. Lucia-based OECS
Secretariat should be restructured.
The team headed by Governor of the St. Kitts-based Eastern Caribbean Central
Bank (ECCB) Dwight Venner, will present recommendations to the OECS leaders when
they meet again in June in Anguilla.
OECS chairman and Grenada Prime Minister Dr. Keith Mitchell said some
duplication in the operations of the wider Caribbean Community and Common Market
(CARICOM) and the OECS made it likely that the Secretariat will be streamlined
into "a smaller, more efficient organisation."
The OECS will not be relocated from its headquarters in St. Lucia at least for
the time being, Prime Minister Mitchell also announced. Moving the Secretariat
was among proposals by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, which also
recommended that the institution be downsized and that the number of staff be
reduced.
Leaders also agreed on a formula for countries to make immediate payments on
arrears to the secretariat.
EC$20 million (US$7.4 million) is said to be owed to the St Lucia-based OECS
Secretariat, of which Antigua and Barbuda is reported to owe about EC$7 million
(US$2.5 million).
Antigua has agreed to pay
more than EC$3 million in arrears from its share of the earnings from the sale
of a building in London owned by the OECS. Grenada's London mission currently
occupies the building but Dr. Mitchell said the mission will be relocated before
the end of May to facilitate the sale of the building.
The OECS is made up of
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia and St.
Vincent & the Grenadines. The British dependencies of Anguilla and
Montserrat are also members while the British Virgin Islands and Turks and
Caicos Islands are associate states.
The 15-nation CARICOM includes the eight OECS members plus The Bahamas,
Barbados, Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago.
New Banana Rules Accepted by Ecuador
Barbados, CANA - The
European Union (EU) and Ecuador have announced that they have reached an
understanding to resolve their long-standing dispute over bananas in the WTO.
This follows on the April 11 agreement between the European Commission and the
United States, which was welcomed by African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP)
countries but which Ecuador had rejected.
The agreement is said to be
fully compatible with the one reached between the EU and the US. It recognises
Ecuador's rights and details the qualification and management provisions
governing the "non-traditional operators" through a change in the
proposed regulations.
These initially stipulated (a) the need to be established in Europe; (b) to be
involved in European banana trade, and (c) to have a minimum turnover in any one
of the last three years of 400,000 Euros. The turnover figure has now been
raised to 1.2 million Euros, which accords with Ecuador's interests and also
benefits ACP suppliers.
The new regime abolishes the EU's import breakdown on a country quota basis,
increases the import volumes from Latin America by 100,000 tons, and improves
market access to traditional and non traditional importers from Ecuador.
Grenada to
Expand Computer Education
Grenada,
CANA -- The Grenada government is looking to expand a computer-based project
aimed at enabling the nation to exploit the new information technology.
Having
already computerised the secondary schools in Grenada and Carriacou, the
government is turning its attention to the primary schools.
Officials
say the plan is to give more of the very young students as well as adults,
particularly those in rural areas, access to information technology.
In 1998, the
Grenada government moved to computerise the 22 secondary schools under an EC$5
million (US$1.85 million) programme also involving British telecommunications
giant Cable & Wireless.
The
programme included training for hundreds of students, several teachers and close
to 2,000 other persons making use of the schools' technology.
Crispin
Frederick, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education says the plan is to
expand the project to embrace all the primary schools.
St.
Vincentians Offered Major Tax Reductions
St. Vincent,
CANA - Taxpayers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are being offered reductions
in interest and penalties outstanding on personal income taxes, company tax,
property tax, and motor vehicle licenses.
Prime
Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves announced the program Monday as he declared May tax
concession month.
"We
know that many persons have been afraid to go to the Income Tax Department
either in respect of their drivers license, their motor vehicle license, their
property taxes and their personal income taxes because of the size of the
interest and the penalty," said Dr. Gonsalves,, who has responsibility for
finance within the cabinet.
The
reductions include:
90-percent
reductions in penalties and interest on personal income taxes, company taxes and
property taxes outstanding before 1997, and 75-percent reductions on arrears for
1998 and 1999.
A 90-percent
reduction in arrears on motor vehicle licenses interest prior to 1997,
and a 75-percent reduction on those between 1998-1999.
A 50-percent reduction in all amounts outstanding on personal
drivers licenses before 1999.
Dr.
Gonsalves said the concessions were an interim measure instituted even as a
promised comprehensive overhaul of the tax system is undertaken.
St. Lucia Priest's Death
Doubles Murder Charge
St. Lucia, CANA -
Additional murder charges have been laid against two St. Lucian men who are on
remand in connection with last December's vicious attack on worshippers at the
Roman Catholic Cathedral in Castries.
Francis Phillip and Kim John have now been charged with the murder of Catholic
Priest, Fr. Charles Gaillard, who died last week in Martinique where he was
being treated for severe burns and other injuries. Fr. Charles, who was set
afire during the attack, was buried here on Saturday.
The men had already been charged with the murder of Sister Theresa Egan, a
Catholic nun who was bludgeoned to death while trying to flee from her
attackers.
The accused allegedly stormed the church on December 31 last year and beat and
set a number of worshippers on fire. They also torched bibles, the altar and
other items in the church, a crime that sent shock waves across St. Lucia and
the wider Caribbean.
When the accused appeared before the court over the weekend, they kept laughing
as they were being questioned about their understanding of the new murder
charge.
Grenada's PM Says LIAT Must Cut Staff
Antigua, CANA - Grenada's Prime Minister, Dr Keith Mitchell,
wants the financially-strapped regional carrier LIAT (1974) Limited to trim its
work force as part of efforts to ensure that it becomes profitable.
Newly elected St. Vincent and the Grenadines' Prime Minister, Dr Ralph
Gonsalves, supports a recent proposal by LIAT to convert into equity, the EC$20
million (US$7.4 million) owed to regional governments for landing and
navigational fees.
But his Grenadian
counterpart said last weekend that move alone would not work to resolve the
money woes of the carrier, which in recent times has had to turn to the Antigua
and Barbuda government for loans to pay salaries.
"I think LIAT, like the OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States) has
to come to terms with its large bureaucracy and its bloated staff," Dr.
Mitchell said during a live interview on the privately owned Observer Radio.
Dr. Mitchell called on LIAT's management "to get its act together,"
adding that the region needed a carrier that was viable, efficiently run and
properly staffed.
Latest available figures show that the number of persons on LIAT's payroll has
fallen from 1,050 to 850 as a result of a decision not to re-employ certain
categories of workers who resign.
LIAT has projected a small profit
by the end of this year based on its largely classified three-year recovery
plan.
Grenada is among several OECS member states that have granted flying rights to
the Antigua-based privately-owned Caribbean Star airline, which is considered to
be LIAT's main rival.
One part of the recovery plan is the CaribSky Alliance initiative that involves
Air Caribe and WinAir, as well as the "strategic relationship" between
LIAT and Trinidad and Tobago's flagship carrier BWIA West Indies Airways, which
has a 29-percent stake in the smaller regional carrier.
Student Raffle Reversal Bodes Tougher UWI
Jamaica, CANA - The Council
of the University of the West Indies (UWI) has endorsed the recommendations of
the Mona Campus Council to postpone elections of the Mona Guild of Students
Executive Committee until later this month and to institute stricter management
of the Guild's Affairs.
In a news release Tuesday, the University Council also agreed that the
constitutions of the Student Societies on the three campuses be reviewed and
made more consistent with the regulations of the UWI Financial Code.
Members of Council, the release said, emphasised that the students were an
integral part of the institution
and that as such the UWI bears ultimate responsibility for their actions, good
or bad.
Therefore, the University Council said, the institution should exercise greater
oversight of the students' activities, without restricting their right to
self-expression.
The action by the University Council was prompted by the issue of a raffle put
on by the Guild here. The raffle of a Mercedes Benz car has been drawn, but the
winner has still not been able to collect his prize, as the Guild of Students
had stated that it had insufficient funds to purchase it from dealers EuroStar
Motors.
In the meantime, the winner has sought legal advice on the matter.
Region's Promoters Stress Single Vacation
Destination
At the recently held 5th,
Annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference, Director General and
CEO of the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) John Bell said, one of the main
challenges facing the Caribbean tourism industry “is the marketing of the
region as a single vacation destination."
He said CHA has developed a
three-year multi-million-dollar regional marketing program called "Great
Places in the Caribbean," which will be unveiled at the Caribbean Hotel
Industry Conference in June.
The program seeks to
enhance the Caribbean’s position as the world’s leading warm weather tourism
destination.
Delegates agreed that the Caribbean needs to focus its priorities on four issues; promotion of the region, safety and security, airlift, and investment and product renewal.
Windward Islands must save industry
St. Lucia, CANA - British High
Commissioner to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Gordon Baker, said on
Wednesday that the Windward Islands must take decisive action if they wanted to
save the troubled banana industry.
"It's now a case of do or die for the Windward banana
industry," he told reporters as Windward Islands prime ministers and
European Union officials began one day of talks in St. Lucia.
"The onus is certainly on the islands to get their act together, as
there are substantial funds available from the EU (European Union) and other
donors for that purpose".
The officials are discussing the rate of disbursement of EU assistance and other
issues pertaining to the banana industry, including the recent agreement between
the EU and Washington to end their longstanding banana dispute.
Baker said there was a plan which
the Windward Islands Banana Development and Exporting Company (WIBDECO) has put
together for streamlining the industry, and developing a market for Windward
Islands bananas, as a banana of choice on the UK market.
Caribbean Star Begins Service to St. Lucia
Antigua, CANA - Caribbean Star Airlines, flew its inaugural
scheduled flight Tuesday from the V.C. Bird International Airport in Antigua, to
George Charles Airport in Castries, St. Lucia.
This follows the granting of route rights by the Government of St. Lucia to the
regional carrier to operate four daily scheduled services in and out of the
island, the Antigua-based carrier said in a release Wednesday.
Caribbean Star Airlines now
flies from Antigua to Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, the
British Virgin Islands, Trinidad and St. Lucia.
Caribbean Star Airlines also announced an addition to its existing flight route,
this time, from Barbados to Grenada. This follows the Barbados Government's
granting permission to Caribbean Star Airlines to fly that route.
Chief Executive Officer of Caribbean Star Airlines, Gilles Filiatreault,
expressed his satisfaction on the recent additions to the list of destinations
now available and added that things are only going to get better, not just for
the airline, but more importantly for the traveling public.
A recently signed interline agreement between Caribbean Star Airlines and three
international carriers -- Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and Air Canada --
allows passengers traveling in and out of the Caribbean to be ticketed for
travel with Caribbean Star Airlines from their point of origin, to their
destination.
Marketing Director of Caribbean Star, Sandra Scotland, said, "These
carriers mobilize a significant number of passengers into the Caribbean
annually, and we are happy to be in
position to provide travel possibilities."
Antigua Woos Airlines As Tourist Charters Fade
ST. JOHN'S, Antigua, CANA - Faced
with hotel workers being temporarily laid off or working shortened weeks because
some charter airlines have ceased flying to Antigua and Barbuda, authorities are
working on alternatives to ferry tourists here.
Director General of Tourism Shirley Nibbs said Antigua and Barbuda was among a
number of English-speaking tourism-dependent countries considering subsidising
Caribbean carriers like BWIA International and Air Jamaica to guarantee the
availability of flights to and from North America and Europe.
In addition to exploring an offer of a charter service from Italy, Ms. Nibbs
said that she would be going to Miami on Friday to hold talks with an airline.
She said British Airways has already decided to increase the number of premium
seats on its 777 aircraft from 24 to 68, which is expected to attract more
affluent "up-scale" tourists" who do not want to travel in
"cramped" economy seats.
Member states of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation (CTO) have examined the
"crisis" of airlift into the region and a decision was taken to
subsidise the large carriers and work more closely with the smaller
intra-regional airlines.
"If we need to move to an
issue of subsidy, which is a big thing these days, we believe that we should do
it with the national carriers (BWIA and Air Jamaica) if there is going to be any
support on that level," the Director General said.
Training Teams Draw In Tourney Prep Match
The first training match in
preparation for the 2001 Leeward Islands tournament ended in a draw at Salem
Park last Sunday.
Tyrone Greenaway’s eleven
scored 277 batting first, with a top score from Zuan Sweeney, who made 60.
Half centuries were also made by Tyrone Greenaway 56,
Gregory Willock 51, and Cecil Lake 50.
Bowling for Devon
Williams’ eleven, Mark Stephanie was 4 for 20 and Devon Williams was 3 for 78.
In response, Devon Williams
eleven ended on 250 for 6. Williams set the mark himself with 114 supported by
an impressive 56 by youth star Dolston Tuitt, his first half century in senior
cricket. Gregory Willock took 3 for 56.
The following players have
ben selected to form a 24 man training squad as preparation for the 2001 Leeward
Islands tournament: Phillip Alexander, Sylvester Allen, Lionel Baker, Gary
Barzey, Adrian Carty, Basil Chambers, Penville Fenton, N. Galloway, Caville
Greenaway, Tyrone Greenaway, David Lane, Jeff Lane, Ian Osborne, Nesta Piper,
Mark Stephanie, Darren Sweeney, Zuan Sweeney, Clint Thompson, Garnett Thompson,
Dolstan Tuitt, Sylvester Wade, Dion Weekes, Devon Williams and Gregory Willock
The squad will be joined by
Macpherson Meade, Trevor Semper and coach Sammy Kirnon.
Training takes place at
Salem Park.
West Indies is Firm On
Tour of Pakistan
West Indies Cricket Board
(WICB) is committed to sending a team to Pakistan next year, but Gregory
Shillingford, the Board’s Chief Executive Officer, says Pakistani authorities
have yet to respond.
That he said, is an issue
which has to be settled between the two Boards. He said reports from Karachi say
that the Pakistan Cricket Board had asked the International Cricket Council
(ICC) to intervene and convince West Indies to undertake a scheduled tour early
next year.
Shillingford said he has
held discussions with the Pakistan authorities, and the WICB has offered to go
to Pakistan in 2002. West Indies were originally scheduled to visit Pakistan in
February and March next year before engaging India and New Zealand in home
series between April and June.
Cricket Great's Son
Throws Texts Aside
Ron Headley, son of the
late great George Headley, is anxious to put away cricket text books because of
the way he perceives West Indian coaching.
He is of the view that
though the players have the ability, they are not expressing themselves because
of the stereotype coaching his father had always opposed.
Headley says his father had
always been a great believer in allowing natural ability to flow. The younger
Headley is a qualified coach.
NURSES WEEK
2001
The Montserrat Nurses
Association (MNA) is mobilizing to celebrate another week of activities from May
5 to 12 under the theme “Dignity in Caring – Excellence in Practice”.
Activities for the week are
as follows:-
SATURDAY
5 MAY 11:00 am
-
Church Service at the Mongo
Hill SDA
MONDAY
7 May
-
President’s Address – Radio ZJB
TUESDAY
8 MAY 10:00 am
-
Live Radio call in programme, inviting
the public to air their opinions
about
nursing.
WEDNESDAY 9 MAY 6:30 pm
-
Annual General Meeting at the Training
Centre, Guest Speaker will be Rev.
Florence Daley
THURSDAY 10 MAY
-
Buy your favourite nurse a flower.
Orders can be placed at MSJ Flower Shop
FRIDAY 11 MAY
-
Visit by the Antigua and Barbuda
Nurses Association
SATURDAY 12 MAY
-
Florence Nightingale’s Birthday
6:00 am Cake Sale outside A&F Service Centre
7:00 pm Karaoki at
the Bitter End Bar
Throughout
the week educational programmes will be aired on Radio ZJB.
The
general public is asked to support the Nurses and their activities as much as
possible.
A Work in Progress
As DFID resists further
dunning,
Achieving new projects
takes cunning;
Despite some transitional
quirks
The minister of Public
Works
Seems to have hit the
ground running.
Two Miles Beyond the Mast
Ahoy, sailor, be not so
bold,
Our waters are closely
patrolled,
We will brook no confusion
On maritime exclusion,
So stay as far out as
you're told.
Jus wonderin wha happen to
de cash pan, who tek um up put um back.
Jus wonderin why dem
parents no keep dem pickini after de road after midnight.
Jus wonderin why dem young
gal tink dem so sweet, something must be in de food dey eatin.
Jus wonderin bout de rich
and famoust and what about the poor and outcast.
Jus wonderin who dem three
lucky woman who have de same man.
Jus wonderin if all men are
fools wha de women dem be.
Jus wonderin why de girl no
give de child to de right daddy and stop pick and choose.
Jus wonderin why so many
cattle are left to roam in Lookout.
Jus wonderin why de officer
from Lookout want to run things in Salem.
Jus wonderin wha hard time
run by de C.O.S. he a do advertisement.
Jus wonderin who else a
look fu people fu ha pity pan dem.
Jus wonderin if the other
party organisers see how to have real party like the real people do.
Jus wonderin where
the Plenty Love & Money gone already.
Jus wonderin where is the
tax break promised in the manifesto and budget come and gan.
Jus wonderin who is in
charge of the houses at Geralds.
Jus wonderin if a true some
man dey a radio land who x-woman a cantrol E strang.
Jus wonderin wey the PO is
now working.
Jus wonderin if the barba
in control now.
Jus wonderin why de Salem
areas getting so violent.
Jus wonderin how the
loosing party goin keep silent all the time.
Jus wonderin why every bady
face is so lang dese days.
Jus wonderin where is the
comunicata at the MVO.
Jus wonderin what
differences the new HE will bring from that last wan.
Jus wonderin if the
Minister could handle DFID now dey want to silence him.
Jus wonderin if the cost of
living will increase soon.
Jus wonderin if we could
trust that budget that have no increase in taxes but still talk bout prices
bound to go up.
Jus wonderin when salaries
will do the same.
Jus wonderin if the X chief
was right when he said any new government is bound to make him look good.
Jus wonderin why our money
is used to promote the governor and DFID in a paper that local people do not
read.
Jus wonderin if the new man
will make better use of our aid money.
Jus wonderin why everywhere
you see Bran you see Bassy.
Jus wonderin if Bran will
be as vocal now that he is no longer in power.
Jus wonderin if B&B
means Bad Business.
Jus wonderin what is the
reason party members are so upset.
Jus wondering why the COS
go fishing so often and wha e a try fu catch.
Jus wonderin wha remedy de
young gal dem use fo catch de man dem.
Jus Wonderin with all the
problems from mad cow disease, if Britain realize now what negative travel
advisories can do to an economy.
What is this Big Secret the
Census Office is Keeping?
As Census Day approaches you may begin to fret,
to wonder and to worry. The recurring thought is horror of horrors!
Montserrat
people a go know me business!!!
Well you can put an end to those sleepless
nights. The Statistics Act No. 2 of 1973 clearly states that no person outside
of the Office can have access to any individual’s personal information.
Any of the persons who will deal with the
questionnaires are sworn to secrecy. If this pledge is violated then the full
weight of the law is brought to bear. Penalties include jail time and/or heavy
fines.
No individual outside of the office can have
access to your information. Not even the Governor or Chief Minister!
So of course if these persons aren’t allowed to
view your information, then who else dare try?
We continue to encourage your support for census
2001.
Please allow our census takers into your lives.
Remember, it’s our future, we must help build
it!!!
For the Census Office: Confidentiality is
Priority Number One!
Your Answers are Important Every
Single Person in the Census Counts!
Montserratian Residents All! We
are Counting on You!
Visitors whether for business or
pleasure!! We’re counting on you too!
Census
Day: May 12, 2001
Summary Report of
Proceedings of the legislative Council 27 and 30th April, 2001
In the Legislative Council on 27 and 30th
April, 2001 –
SR&O No. 94 of 2000
SR&O No. 96 of 2000
SR&O No. 99 of 2000
SR&O No. 100 of 2000
SR&O No. 1 of 2001
SR&O No. 2 of 2001
SR&O No. 3 of 2001
SR&O No. 4 of 2001
SR&O No. 5 of 2001
SR&O No. 6 of 2001
SR&O No. 7 of 2001
SR&O No. 8 of 2001
SR&O No. 9 of 2001
11. The
following Bill was passed without amendment –
The Appropriations Act 2001
First Reading ……………… 27th
April, 2001
Seconding Reading………… 27th
April, 2001
Third Reading……………..
30thApril, 2001
This Bill provides for the appropriation of funds
for the services of the Colony for the year ending 31st, December
2001. It also makes provision for the Minister of Finance to obtain advances by
fluctuating overdraft, to meet current requirements.
A copy of this Bill can be accessed at the Clerk
of Council’s Office Government Headquarters, Brades; The Public Library,
Woodlands or the Attorney General’s Chambers, Palm Loop.
Claudia Weekes (Mrs)
CLERK OF COUNCILS
Attorney-at-law Mr. David Brandt would like to inform the general public, that his law offices are now located in ALTON LINDSEY’S BUILDING in the compound of the gas station at SWEENEY’S.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: editor@montserratreporter.org
This site is maintained by West Computer Works. Please read Disclaimer.