CM Brandt Presents Budget Of $130.1 Million To Put Crisis Behind Us and Rebuild Montserrat
By Bennette Roach
The Honourable David S. Brandt, Chief Minister and Minister of Finance,
presented his first budget to the legislature on Thursday last week. It was debated on
Monday and Tuesday of this week. This brief summary is put together with an idea to
highlight some of the matters discussed in the local budget presentation.
Mr. Brandt in his introduction sought to impress that it was his government's view to seek out a viable and self-sustaining economy and society. In so doing, Mr. Brandt charted the downturn in the economy in recent years, the 66-percent drop in population, the loss of tourist revenue, rising unemployment and inflation. He recalled the tragic events of June 25 of last year, the destruction of Plymouth, the airport terminal and the relocation of residents.
The budget was presented against the backdrop of "far-reaching changes in our physical, economic and social structures," compounded by a "further reduction in the physical land space available for economic activity . . . declines in our human resource base through migration and significant business closures."
Chief Minister Brandt said his "policy-oriented budget" will lead the island out of the present emergency situation and on to a path of rebuilding and reconstruction. To achieve this EC$130.1 million will be spent this year, the largest expenditure budget ever recorded in Montserrat. This figure includes ordinary recurrent expenditure of $47.5 million, emergency expenditure of $13.1 million, and development expenditure of $69.5 million.
Substantial sums will be spent on the provision of more housing for Montserratians displaced by the volcano, the upgrade of health and education facilities, and improvements to the Little Bay Jetty and the island’s road network and water supply.
Chief Minister Brandt told members of the Legislative Council that perhaps the most critical and urgent need was for adequate and comfortable housing. And he said the government wanted every displaced person to have affordable housing.
In this area Government’s policy will be guided by three main objectives:
He spoke to the future and said that the process of refining the Sustainable Development Plan is now on the way. He focused on four main themes: the organised development of the north, increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector, creating partnership with the private sector and fulfilling the needs of vulnerable groups in the community.
In dealing with the port, he said more than $2 million will be spent in providing permanent jetty facilities; $7.5 million will go to improving the road network, while $3 million will be used to improve the water service.
About the airport he said that if the government had its way construction of a new airport would have started the day they had vacated the W.H. Bramble Airport. He called the current process unnecessarily long and said he would have to find what he called creative ways of dealing with the matter if the correct decision is not made by the end of the year.
On the fiscal side, with revenue estimated at $16.5 million, there will be a deficit of $44 million, which the Chief Minister said will be met under present arrangements by the UK Government.
Always ready and willing to thank the BG, he said that while more can be done by the BG and done more quickly, it was recognised that Montserrat could not have survived without financial and other support from London.
To provide some details, included in what he termed, "nine main initiatives," he said the basic allowance of income tax will be increased from $13,000 to $15,000, while the income bands will be adjusted to take account of inflation.
The debate on his presentation was very well conducted with the format taking new precedence, with the members of the house free to speak in any order. The members were all complimentary on the budget address.
The issues of the British Government's failure to support the dying Montserrat Building Society and the stall of the soft loan housing project were addressed by every member of the house.
"Common Cause Must Follow Welcome Accord on Budget"
It is undoubtedly a grim pity, at a time when Britain is seeking to establish a working partnership with its dependent overseas territories, that those territories, having run into hard times, must seek sympathetic terms from the homeland.
We on Montserrat hear continually that no one is to be blamed for the volcano. The truth is that many of the problems arising out of the ravages of the volcanic could have been avoided, and for that there must be some responsibility.
What is most amazing is that when discussing aid to Montserrat, British officials and civil servants raise the issue of the large sums of money now lost and spent within the last 15 years in the exclusion zone. They choose to blame the loss on Montserrat.
Very early in the crisis, we learnt of the Wadge Report which has served us well so far since then. The report was ordered by Her Majesty's Government, who did absolutely nothing when it was done, allowing it to gather dust both here and in the UK. Their own officials admitted that. So whose responsibility was it to take action? The predictions in the report are said to have been accurate to date and if attention and action had been taken, there might be no need today for anything to be discussed in sympathetic terms.
Not only should Britain be obligated to their responsibility, we should never be driven to our knees or be considered ungrateful.
If Montserrat throughout its history was always a burden on HMG, our behaviour would necessarily be different. It is not often when a Minister of Finance can present a budget that draws so much support from all quarters, never mind the other shortcomings.
There was hardly a disagreement between the opposing sides of the legislature during the just concluded 1998 budget debate. The Chief Minister in his capacity as Minister of Finance delivered what had to be a fairly comprehensive budget touching on most aspects of life in Montserrat in unusual circumstances. If there were criticisms, they were in those areas left out or where opposing members felt not enough attention or support was being given. Such areas as fisheries, agriculture and tourism, suggesting a passiveness towards development, specially handed down by the reaction of HMG to our developmental needs. Indeed, although the Chief Minister said, "Government will take the lead in investing in the North . . . to create confidence in the economic future of the island,'' going on to say' "this role, however, will be transitional…" There were no concrete proposals except a proposed partnership with the private sector and the Small Enterprise Development project nicely timed by DFID to coincide with the budget, along with other agencies like CIDA, UNDP, the Canadian Co-operative Society and Red Cross.
He concluded his budget presentation by setting out nine main initiatives, which he said were intended "for stimulating our recovery and reconstruction efforts." It may be opportune to mention here that some super critics have called the budget a British budget, since while they are footing 70 percent of the bill, seemed to have called the shots. Obviously. No one took seriously the matter referred to as 'ludicrous' by members of the house when the Minister of Finance repeated the obvious British offer of 25 percent discount on property taxes to those who leave their homes in the buffer zone, to go where and why?
There was much common ground, chiefly on housing, the lack of which CM Brandt blamed on former CM Reuben Meade. Other common grounds were the ports (sea and air); soft loans for housing, the untenable MBS situation and the general slow policy of HMG adversely affecting all sectors.
There is, however, one area that needs very serious attention. It wasn't clear, but it is hoped that the matter of Montserratians’ psychological, mental and social well-being will be seriously tackled, under what is termed, "fulfilling the needs of the vulnerable groups in our community." All groups are vulnerable. Even our government is vulnerable, because it is not yet clear that HMG has given up the idea of closing down Montserrat. Our saving grace in this regard has to be the continued good behaviour of the island building/destroying terror in Soufriere Hills.
Even though the Honourable Mr. Meade called the budget one built on the hope of British performance, it is fair to say that looking at it from a different light, it was one that offered some hope to the continuity of life in Montserrat, even though it brings us back to requiring government to carry through its promises to put people's minds to work in coming up with some clear plans for the future of the island.
It is up to all of our leaders to work hard and fight together on these common grounds, and to work even harder to reach accord on those other ideas, thoughts and actions on which they do not quite mesh.
Dear Editor,
The outstanding novelist Robert Antoni wrote a generally good article on Montserrat in Outside Magazine May 1998, entitled "Another Day under the Black Volcano". I take issue with him however when he refers to Howard Fergus as "Montserrat’s own (he might say lone) intellectual." I don’t know if he wanted to rhyme but I strenuously reject any such claim or any such suggestion; it is just plain nonsense. I cannot live long enough to reach that level of arrogance. I have enough common sense and experience to know that certificates do not equate to intellectual capability.
Any suggestion of a lone intellectual would be an insult to Montserrat and to the many Montserratian thinkers that there are. Even in our depleted population, we still possess great intellectual capital in persons with and without paper credentials. All Montserratians know and often show that: "Studyation beat education".
Thank you, Mr. Editor
Howard A. Fergus
(Long Ground)
British Opposition Member Visits Montserrat
Conservative member of Parliament responsible for International Development, Sir Allistiar Goodlak, this week visited Montserrat.
"We watched from England with admiration the courage and resilience of the people of Montserrat. We asked many questions about the people of Montserrat in the House. I was particularly keen to come here to look and listen to people on island so that when I debate the question of Montserrat I will be able to do so with personal knowledge," Sir Alistiar said.
Sir Goodlak seemed non-committal particularly with respect to whether his government did a better job than the present labour government, saying that he did not wish to get into that. However the Conservative member said his party is most concerned over the situation in Montserrat. He said that he was made aware of some the pressing needs of the distressed islanders and will be pressing the UK government and holding them responsible for the problems of Montserrat.
CM Explains Allocation Of Houses at Lookout Site
Chief Minister David S. Brandt this week told the House of Parliament that the houses being built at the Lookout site will be impartially distributed.
"The houses will be transparently and equitably distributed," CM Brandt said in the debate speech. "They would not be given to friends. There is a committee set up and they will be fairly distributed.
"In order to demonstrate our commitment to civil servants and others, we will allocate five to the police, five to the nurses, five for the teachers and five to the civil servants for them to distribute among themselves."
Minister Tuitt Addresses Industrial Outlook for Island
The Hon. Adelina Tuitt, Minister of Education, Health, Community Services and Labor, pledged during the budget debate this week to seek to continue a good industrial climate in Montserrat.
She said her department would do so "by working with the employer, employee and their representatives.
"We intend to provide the necessary programs," she said, "to assist the labor force with the required skills and training to bring about a better economic climate."
War on Pink Mealy Bug Shows Slow Progress
The Department of Agriculture recently reported the progress of its efforts
to keep the pink mealy bug in check. The destructive pest, which was discovered in the
island late last year, is said to have a broad range of host plants, which include a wide
variety of vegetables and fruits.
Efforts to control the bug include slashing and burning of infested plants and the introduction of a species of lady bird beetle, which prey on the bug.
Easton Farrell, principal agriculture officer, said, "We started the problem of getting rid of it by cutting and burning, but we found that was very costly and ineffective. After speaking to our counterparts in the region we resorted to what people refer to as biological control. We learnt that chemical treatment cannot help because of the location of the pink mealy bug on the plant -- areas which the chemicals cannot reach.
"Apart from that, the bug has a covering which is difficult to penetrate with chemicals."
Island’s Need for an Airport Is One Point of Agreement
WH Bramble Airport destroyed by pyroclastic flows
During the Montserrat Government's budget debate on Monday and Tuesday of this week, every member of the legislature spoke to the need for an airport in Montserrat.
On June 25, 1997, when the tragic pyroclastic flows rolled down the eastern side of the Soufriere Hills volcano, they forced the closure of the W.H. Bramble airport, the only one in Montserrat. Since then overseas transportation has been provided by ferry and helicopter to Antigua, each operating six days a week and a minimum of twice daily.
There were varying suggestions by the government and opposition members as to how to obtain an airport. But it was evident that the British and local government do not agree on the size and location of an airport. Indeed the Honourable Rupert Weeks, Minister of Communications and Works, saw an airport at least five to six years down the road.
Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt chided former CM the Honourable Reuben Meade for suggesting that Montserratians take matters into their own hands and use some of their free time to prepare the area of the airport after HMG was asked to put the road in place. Mr. Brandt said that proposals must be reasonable and was, as usual, critical of HMG for turning down a request that members of the British Armed Forces assist in the construction of an airfield. He said that HMG could make it possible for these "men to go and fight Saddam (Hussein)" and not come to assist us.
Following is a text of the letter setting out HMG’s refusal. It should be noted that the letter presented by Governor Abbott observes that even third countries would not be willing to assist Montserrat in a similar fashion.
LPG Problems Continue But Early Relief Foreseen
A number of problems have arisen that hamper the delivery of bottled cooking gas on Montserrat, according to Mr. Franklyn Michael, head of the Emergency Department, which oversees the acquiring and delivery of LPG.
Mr. Michael spoke to The Reporter following many consumers' complaints that they continually show up to purchase the propane (cooking) gas but leave without it. The problems go back a few weeks, Mr. Michael explained, to an accident involving a vessel from which several empty cylinders were lost. "There was a deficiency in the number of cylinders," he said. "There was also a fire in Nevis which affected the LPG plant. We are not getting the number of cylinders back." He offered some hope for improvement. "We have obtained permission for an order of cylinders," he said, "but those have not yet been delivered. We expect to have those soon." This he said would alleviate the problem caused by the shortage of cylinders.
Addressing the issue of using of the LPG storage tanks that are still in Plymouth at two gas company sites, he said the tanks belong to the companies and not to government, and cannot be acquired as simply as might seem possible.
"The Carr's Bay terminal will have bulk storage in due course and we have made a series of proposals to the government with regards to the future," Mr. Michael said. "The cylinder exchange that we do now is not a method that we favor, but we have no options in the short run."
The numbering system in place at the moment doesn't work well because of the shortage of tanks that are returned with each shipment. He said this will be changed in due course.
Women Move to Upgrade Skills of Fellow Montserratians
The Co-operative Division in the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and the Environment, in an effort to mobilize women, have organised a group who have been meeting each Monday to discuss ways of improving themselves and also to aid in the redevelopment of Montserrat.
The group, who call themselves "Women on the Move," meet at the Brades office of the Ministry of Agriculture. A number of training classes are being organised by the women, to begin in June this year. Each class will last six weeks and costs each participant a nominal fee of $60.00.
The list of classes, which range from cooking to construction and computer skills, may be seen in the invitation for registration to participate in these courses.
The Need for Fishing Accords in the Caribbean
By Pat Ryan
In an article entitled "Finding New Openings for the Fishing Industry," Marie-France Grugeaux, while focusing on Guadeloupe, makes pertinent mention of other Caribbean territories. Montserrat comes in for high praise in terms of cooperation. "…to date the best example of cooperation within the Caribbean is Montserrat. Their initiative could have been a launching pad and an example to more widespread cooperation, had it not been for the volcanic situation which has, for the time being, put things on hold."
The article goes on to cite Dominica, which has given the nod to cooperation without proceeding to any official act of partnership. Antigua began well, it says. "A good neighbours’agreement was about to be concluded when the Antigua Government took a hard line and took Guadeloupean fishermen into custody for fishing in Antiguan waters."
According to Jean-Claude Yoyotte, the idea is to establish a brotherhood of Caribbean fishermen. With this backing, it would be possible to approach various governments with a view to having them give assistance to resolve practical problems.
Recent events in Guyana have been more promising. An interregional mission to that country has just ended. Guyana has the fish but they lack the infrastructure to allow boats in to prepare catches for onward transport. It is now up to regional authorities to move things forward.
Building Society Woes Have Attention of All
One of the most talked-about issues during the 1998 house debate of Chief Minister David Brandt's budget was the problem created by the refusal of Her Majesty's Government to assist depositors of the Montserrat Building Society (MBS).
The Montserrat Building Society, which just over a year ago offered loans to Montserratians to purchase lands in the north, later suddenly found itself in a position where it had to invite a financial expert to its most recent annual general meeting.
Mr. Osborne Nurse told all present at that meeting, "When we examine the interim financial statement for 1997, the deficiency that has become apparent is of the order of about $6 million, just under $6 million.
"Rule 27 of the Building Society is entitled "Termination or Dissolution," and it speaks about the ways in which the Building Society may be terminated or dissolved." Mr. Nurse said in no uncertain terms that the MBS was looking very much at the end of the road.
Mr. D.R.V. (Frank) Edwards, nominated member of the Legislature, in his
comments on the matter, captured the sentiments and feelings of all members in the house,
including the Honourable Financial Secretary C.T. John, who moved out of character to
comment also. Mr. Edwards was powerful in his submission and all but said that no one was
being truthful about HMG’s dealings with troubled financial institutions.
In his submission Mr. Edwards said: "I seem to recall that in a very early meeting with the gentleman who came here from the Bank of England to investigate on behalf of the British Government. I sat in the presence of an august group including the Hon. CM, former Governor F. Savage, and Frank Black, former head of the Aid Management Office. This gentleman gave us a verbal synopsis of the report he intended to present to the British Government (BG) when he returned to England in which he indicated supporting the Building Society that got into trouble and that the British did on a regular basis. He also indicated that he would recommend very strongly that BG come to the rescue of MBS."
Mr. Edwards went on, "I have heard senior members of the BG stating that this is something that is not done. I hear them putting the blame on the Bank of England, some putting the blame on the responsibility of the Treasury. It is well known, I understand, that the BG in the past has come to the rescue of private companies; I understand they are now saying they have never done this."
Other members of the legislature made similar remarks on the issue, but in the end all hoped, as Mr. Edwards put it, "I think we know that they have come to the rescue of private companies in the past and I hope that it is not too late for them to come to the rescue of the BS," expressing also the hope that no stones will be left unturned to bring the matter to satisfactory solution.
Two Montserratians Attend Women in Sports Conference
Montserrat was represented last week at a regional conference on women and girls in sport, held at the Holiday Inn in Trinidad. The three-day conference was attended by newly named Sports Coach Valerie Samuel and Rachel Collis, a member of the interim Sports Advisory Committee.
The main objectives of the conference, attended by representative from CARICOM countries, included:
An overall theme, "PUSH THE LIMITS," was selected, in keeping with the increase in popularity of sports women globally. The philosophy behind the theme is to encourage women to push the limits and overcome physical, mental or financial boundaries to achieve success. A logo designed for the conference read "NO LIMITS, NO BARRIERS."
Resources persons at the conference included Miss Marcia Oxley, programme manager for the Eastern Caribbean Community Sports Development Programme, based in Barbados; Dr. Anita White, director of development of the English Sports Council, and Dr Doris Corbett, associate professor of Sports Science at Howard University in the United States.
The conference committed itself to assist such states as Montserrat that are having difficulty establishing viable programs for the participation of women and girls in all aspects of sport. Both Samuel and Collis have had long involvement in local sports at a national level. Samuel is expected to be very instrumental in the revival of girls’ sport, both at the primary and secondary level. A second world conference on women and girls in sports will be held in Namibia next month.
Local Student Earns Academic Honors in U.S.
Carl Osborne, a junior and the son of. Cedric and Carol. Osborne of
Montserrat, has earned academic honors for the winter term at Northfield Mount Hermon
School, an independent, college-preparatory school in Northfield, Mass., USA.
A member of boys' crew, Osborne has volunteered through the Outreach Program as a United Way committee member and has studied Advanced Placement physics.
Northfield Mount Hermon School is located in northcentral Massachusetts, minutes from the borders of New Hampshire and Vermont, and enrolls 1,100 students from all over the United States and 40 other countries.
World's Largest Football For Jamaica's 'Reggae Boyz'
Jamaica (Reuters) - Jamaica's Tourist Board has commissioned what it says will be the world's largest inflatable football in tribute to Jamaica's World Cup team, the "Reggae Boyz."
The ball will be 50 feet in diameter and is designed to accommodate messages and signatures as a "bon voyage card" for the team, which late last year became the first from the English-speaking Caribbean to qualify for the World Cup finals.
The tourism board planned to put the ball on display at Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan May 11 before taking it to Kingston's Liguanea Park,London's Battersea Park and finally to Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris.
"We believe this unique card will generate a tremendous amount of goodwill and positive media exposure for the Reggae Boyz and for Jamaica as they make their way to France for World Cup 1998," Fay Pickersgill, Jamaica's director of Tourism, told the Caribbean News Agency.
Jamaica makes its debut in the World Cup finals against Croatia on June 14.
"The Current State of the Relationship between the BVI and the UK" was the subject of a panel discussion in Anguilla April 16, part of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the University of the West Indies.
The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Kedrick Pickering, president of the UWI Guild of Graduates, BVI Chapter. Panelists were:
Political issues -- Elihu Rhymer, businessman and former public servant.
Legal and constitutional issues -- Gerard Farara Q.C., attorney-at-law.
Financial and economic issues -- Robert Mathavious, director of Financial Services.
Cultural issues -- Dr Charles Wheatley, president of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College.
Mr Rhymer noted that while public statements presumed a position about the BVI's wishes for citizenship, he was not consulted, and his wish is contrary to that stated.
He said the Foreign Secretary's recent announcement of Britain's intention to take a fresh look at policy towards the remaining Dependent Territories, provides a unique opportunity to make suggestions as to the structure of "the rungs in the ladder that would allow us to reach terra firma with a minimum amount of bruises."
Mr. Farara said one must be clear about the territory's present international and constitutional status, to what extent it facilitates good governance and enables us as a people and as a small country, to realize our long-term goals.
"It is significant, that notwithstanding the recommendation of the Constitutional Commissioners, we still do not have any fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in our Constitution," the lawyer said.
Mr. Mathavious said he believes that, the BV Islander, being pragmatic, opportunistic and individualistic, will continue to "take any situation we've been given and to work it to our own advantage". He said credit must be given the to people for the BVI's thriving economy, although were some advantages from being a British colony.
We must understand that our interest, economically, and the interest of the British government are not always going to be the same, stressed that when it comes to doing what is necessary for the long-term interest and sustainability of these islands, nobody is more committed to safeguarding and preserving their integrity or their reputation than the people of the British Virgin Islands.
Dr Wheatley observed, "We would want to see ourselves as equal partners in any relationship with the United Kingdom, and have the freedom to negotiate and renegotiate these relationships as generations and circumstances change."
A church service, a distinguished lecture and RUN/UWI/RUN were also part of the anniversary observance.
Montserrat, CANA - The experiences encountered in Montserrat by the Soufriere Hills Volcano eruption are being used as a disaster planning guide for other Caribbean territories.
Radio Montserrat on Monday quoted Audrey Mullings, Deputy Coordinator of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Response Agency (CDERA), as saying that the knowledge developed on the island in dealing with the volcano, which has been active since 1995, will be incorporated in a programme dealing with all hazards that could result in disasters.
Mullings visited Montserrat last week after a meeting of CDERA directors in St Kitts, where she said they looked at a framework for disaster management in the region.
Kingston, Jamaica, CANA - The third party in Jamaica, the National Democratic Movement (NDM), has said that it will not be contesting the upcoming local government elections, which are widely expected to be held by mid-year.
In a news release on Sunday, the NDM said there was a lack of adequate changes made to the electoral process to prevent the kind of confusion and corruption that marred the Dec.18 general elections. Christopher Tufton, NDM deputy general secretary, also dismissed speculation that the party was opting out of the elections because it was unable to raise campaign money.
"From Public Treasure To Private Plunder"
By J. Donald Brandt
Stark evidence of sand mining at Little Bay
As recently as three years ago, accepted wisdom on Montserrat was that the island's greatest potential resource for recreational tourism lay in the scenic hillsides, cliffs and crescent sandy beach at Little Bay.
A group determined to improve the beach area for both Montserratians and visitors even staged a weekend beach benefit that raised $5,000 in local funds, which were generously matched by the owner of Gem Radio.
Today, the best advice one could give to that visionary group is, "Hang on to that $10,000."
The pleasant beach that they so rightly hoped to enhance is being transformed, one truckload at a time, into an eyesore only slightly less offensive than the "temporary" dump site that immediately greets first-time visitors to Montserrat.
Since that long-ago party, of course and thanks to our seismic scourge, the quality of official Montserrat's actions changed quickly from unhurried to unintentional. As a result, we have not only that loathsome dumpsite, but also an emergency jetty at Little Bay, now the island's sole port for marine commerce and travel. There was no reason, of course, why the new jetty should seriously affect the continued use by Montserratian's of that long sandy beach for bathing and partying.
After all, the proximity of the jetty at Old Road Bay certainly never discouraged either Montserratians or guests at the Vue Pointe Hotel from swimming, sailing and frolicking at that inviting beach.
Nonetheless, there is not much at Little Bay today to lure the many people who used to delight in its attraction. The seawater is as beautiful as ever, and the sand at the surging water's edge is smooth and appealing. But to get to the water's edge, it is necessary to cross a pit littered with an unbelievable collection of trash.
Most of this litter -- galvanize, sheets of plywood, lumber — has been placed there to provide traction for the trucks of those who are mining the sand from Little Bay Beach, in full view of the police launch, port workers and public officials a few hundred yards away.
It is against the law to mine sand from Montserrat's beaches. That law exists because responsible Montserratians realize that the island's beaches are an invaluable public asset and beach sand is not an inexhaustible natural resource.
Special pleaders for these sand pirates argue that these are special circumstances, and this desperate skirting of the law is borne of economic hardship.
There are throngs of people still on Montserrat who could justifiably claim economic hardship. If each of them took a pail and a scoop to Little Bay, they could speedily reduce the beach to bare rocks.
But wait, the special pleaders say, these desperate measures are resorted to because the persons mining sand need it to mix with cement to make concrete. Oh, really? Cement is not a natural resource on Montserrat. Where do they get it, if they can't mine it here? They buy it? Well then, if beach sand is not legally exploitable on Montserrat, why should they expect to be allowed to haul it away at will?
The pleaders ask us to believe that this began only recently. Long before the volcano became the menace it is today, anyone taking a morning stroll around the bird sanctuary at Foxes Bay was likely to encounter the newest pit created by those mining sand from the beach there. It was against the law even then, and those who defied it were as brazen then as now.
This despicable practice continues with the knowledge of authorities who wink at it, for whatever political or personal reasons. It is time for responsible leadership to demand not only that Montserrat preserve what little remains of its fragile natural beauty but also ensure public respect for the law by enforcement that shows it applies equally to everyone.
The Budget Is a Look Ahead And a Challenge to All of Us
By Kenny Cassell
Here are some thoughts on the 1998 Budget which are neither intended to be comprehensive nor exhaustive. A more in-depth analysis and commentary would require much more time and space.
First, I wish to compliment the Hon. Chief Minister and Minister of Finance on his budget proposals for l998. Compliments are in order because it must be recognised that to "undertake budgetary projections and to formulate budgetary proposals in these difficult and changing times" must be indeed a task inhibited by the fact that Her Majesty's Government had to be convinced that our needs were, in fact, worthy of sympathetic consideration. Nothing can be more difficult than knowing what one wants to do, but being totally dependent on convincing someone else to fund it. We as a people must be grateful to HMG for coming to our rescue in these times of crisis.
Hopefully, we have seen the worst of the crisis and our attention needs to focus on the critical task of rebuilding. This task is by no means easy, since we have to rebuild our economy in just about one-third of the land area formerly available. The Chief Minister's budget proposals have sought to address this situation. Wisely, this was not done in a manner that suggests that Government officials had all the answers, but rather in consultation with the private sector.
The Chief Minister must be congratulated on making the partnership between public and private sectors a reality. For too long we have paid lip service to such a concept and many a discussion or recommendation has remained just that, with little implementation.
We in the private sector are extremely pleased that we were given the opportunity to make specific inputs into the budget process on our own behalf as well as on behalf of the community at large. Many of our recommendations and suggestions were incorporated in the Budget. This kind of constructive engagement of the private sector augurs well for the future development of our beloved island.
The Minister of Finance stated that his Budget is a policy-oriented budget. We are pleased to note that these policies and objectives are part of an overall plan and strategy for our development, in the medium term at least. When demands are 80 high and resources so correspondingly small, careful planning is necessary to maximise the benefits of expenditure. We endorse the main themes recognised throughout the plan, which are:
(i) the organised development of the north of Montserrat;
(ii) the increasing level of efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector;
(iii) creation of a partnership with the private sector for the development and promotion of private enterprise;
(iv) fulfilling the needs of the vulnerable groups in our community.
We look forward to action on all these fronts. Action must be urgent and at times aggressive. Unfortunately, this may be easier said than done. However, we must be relentless in our objectives and tireless in seeking to achieve our goals.
One important goal is affordable housing for all. A key element in the overall housing strategy must be to empower people to build their own houses. Many would like to move away from the dependence mode and build their own houses. Serviced sites, as mentioned in the Budget, are a step in this direction.
Another step would be the implementation of the Soft Loan Housing Programme. There has been too much talk. Action is required now. The Department for International Development (DFID), the East Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and the Bank of Montserrat need to sit down and work out a way to start this project without further delay. After all, we know this project must be handled by the Bank of Montserrat. To do otherwise would send the wrong signals. Let's get on with it, so that people can build their own houses.
Still in the area of housing, another problem is the Montserrat Building Society. It must not be allowed to fold. We need to be a lot more aggressive and insistent. The reasoning or arguments put forward by Her Majesty's Government why they cannot assist are unacceptable. These are the facts:
This is clearly a very unusual set of circumstances without precedent anywhere. The argument by HMG, therefore, that they do not help private financial institutions is not relevant. This is a unique occurrence that requires unusual attention and assistance. Helping the Montserrat Building Society could not, therefore, be regarded as a precedent for any financial institution seeking a bailout from the British.
A humane gesture by HMG is necessary. After all, many people have lost their life savings and with it, the ability to help themselves.
The Minister of Finance presented what one might consider as a comprehensive budget in that he touched on all sectors of the economy and, for the most part, adequately addressed them. However, I feel that treatment of Agriculture and Tourism deserved more detailed mention.
Tourism and tourism-related activity have been the main contributor to GDP in the past. This sector has been severely hit by the volcanic eruption. It therefore deserves critical analysis and imaginative initiatives. Perhaps the incentives to attract investment in hotel facilities in the North need to be increased. Certainly, the offensive against would-be foreign investment by misguided and misinformed individuals must be countered effectively and emphatically.
Agriculture is another significant sector of the economy. We are all too well aware of the fact that the prime vegetable producing areas are in the exclusion zone. The efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture to bring new lands under cultivation must be commended. However, this is just the beginning, and continuous concerted efforts will be required for us to be able to produce more of the food we eat.
Although implicit in the Budget is the realisation that we are constrained by our very small population: and although it is also implicit that Government wishes to do everything in its power to enable Montserratians to come back home as soon as feasible, Government's plans need to cater specifically to a substantially increased level of population, by adopting appropriate policy measures.
Finally, the package of fiscal measures should serve as a powerful incentive to investment in the north of Montserrat and form the basis for the recovery for which Montserratians at home and abroad are so anxiously awaiting.
All in all, the Minister of Finance presented a budget with some vision of the future. It seems to be a realistic budget given the constraints of our grant-aided status. Nevertheless, it is a budget of hope. It gives the impression that all is not lost and that there is a future for those of us who remained on island, as well as for those who have gone away for a while. It is now up to the Government, the Public Service, the Private Sector and the community at large to make the budget proposals a reality by hard work, dedication and understanding.
"Home is an invention on which no one has yet improved." -- Ann Douglas
"One problem with gazing too frequently into the past is that we may turn around to find the future has run out on us." --Michael Cibenko
"No day in which you learn something is a complete loss." -- David Eddings
"Childhood is measured out by sounds and smells and sights, before the dark hour of reason grows." -- John Bethenan
"Management by objectives works if you first think through your objectives. Ninety percent of the time you haven't." -- Peter F. Drucker
"Mystery is a resource, like coal or gold, and its preservation is a fine thing." -- Tim Cahill
"While it's important to win, it's imperative to compete." -- Dave Weinhaum
"Cynicism is an unpleasant way of saying the truth." -- Lillian Hellman
"Nothing is as frustrating as arguing with someone who knows what he's talking about." -- Sam Ewing
Intelligence Test
Try this one!You will be amazed at the number you get wrong! There are10 questions, so you should be able to answer them all in 10 minutes, but watch out for any tricks.
Write each of your answers down, it makes a difference!
Intelligence Test
LOOK FOR THE ANSWERS BELOW
Calling Her Bluff
ONCE A WEEK I play poker with friends and often return home after my husband is asleep. To avoid waking him one night, I disrobed in the hall and put all my clothes in the hamper before tiptoeing into the bed room. He was awake enough to comment, "Looks like you got taken to the cleaners tonight."
--contributed by Shirley LaVigne
One shopper’s access to the ‘copter
Prompts envious tries to co-opt her.
Ladies, here’s how it works,
You know rank has its perks,
And that’s why H.E. hasn’t stopped her.
Jus wonderin what you would do. Let's say theoretically you had planned to build a house just south of the currently Restricted Zone and you bought all your building materials and new household goods for that house in Miami just prior to the June 25th event of last year. Would you import your materials to Montserrat today and generate revenues Montserrat needs under existing standard taxes and charges including normal Customs Duty, Consumption Taxes and Customs Service Taxes for goods you may never be able to use?
Jus wonderin if the Salem Supermarket is only providing parking for shipping containers.
Jus wonderin if the 'officials' are really planning to put another dump in Little Bay and how much Physical Planning is involved.
Jus wonderin why the local employees of HMG do not order vehicles through the local dealers and whether we will see a new agency for new vehicles.
Jus wonderin if the legislator is advertising grease bread and salt fish for Economic Bakery.
Jus wonderin, with the Road Minister, which one of the elected members cannot see what everybody sees every day even if they are from Plymouth.
Jus wonderin why the Plymouth member had to raise his voice to alert one of the ministers who is only about a quarter his size that he needed rejuvenation via a gymnasium.
Jus wonderin if the budget had anything to do with Montserrat and how much of it was really even 30 percent input from the Ministry of Finance.
Jus wonderin if the crashed Bus/Train located on the Post Office road just west of Salem School Campus is just another one of Montserrat's "derelict cars" abandoned on the side of the road.
Jus wonderin whether anyone has thought about removing the mud from under Belham Bridge to protect it against those dreaded mudflows or whether the spectre is just a scarecrow to discourage hopes of returning to the area between Cork Hill and Richmond Hill.
Jus wonderin if anyone thought of offering forgiveness of all property tax to anyone who follows Sir Robert’s recommendation to evacuate the buffer zone but only 25 percent reduction to those who remain in defiance of the advice.
Jus wonderin whether the Speaker of the House uncharacteristically chided a Minister during the budget debate for an allusion to Salem because it was a slip of the tongue or a premature release of a government decision.
Jus wonderin how many more stopgap government measures it will take to force the Tourist Board to abandon its boast that Montserrat is "the Caribbean the way it used to be."
Jus wonderin if the CM and the former CM will ever realize that a national crisis demands far more than the equivalent of two schoolboys shouting "Oh yeah?" at each other after class.
Jus wonderin whether the opposition member is aware that many of his constituents and fellow Montserratians stay in shape by running early every morning, despite the lack of a gym.
THE ANSWERS
1) All of them. Every month has at least 28 days.
2) One hour. If you take a pill at 1 o'clock, then another at 1.30 and the last at 2 o'clock, they will be taken in one hour.
3) One hour. It is a windup alarm clock which cannot discriminate between a.m. and p.m.
4) 70. Dividing by half is the same as multiplying by 2.
5) Nine live sheep.
6) The match.
7) White. If all walls face south, the house must be on the North Pole.
8) Two apples. I HAVE THREE APPLES,YOU TAKE TWO, WHAT DO YOU HAVE?
9) None. It was Noah, not Moses.
10) YOU are the driver.
Grading Scale (out of 10):
10 Genius
9 Mensa Member
8 Engineer
7 Student
6 High school pupil
5 Primary school pupil
4 Teacher
3 College lecturer
2 University lecturer
1 Member of Congress
CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
VACANCY
THE CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (CXC), the regional examining body, invites applications for the post of SENIOR ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (PRODUCTION DIVISION) located at the Council's Headquarters in Barbados.
Applicants should possess:
A good first degree or relevant professional qualifications;
A post-graduate certification in Production Management;
A minimum of five years' experience at a senior level in Production Management .
Applicants should have:
Knowledge of Publication activities (composition, typesetting, etc.) and experience in Print-shop management;
Excellent organisational, managerial, planning, problem-solving and leadership skills through previous job responsibilities;
Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
The successful candidate must be capable of performing multiple tasks, paying attention to details, handling secure and confidential materials and producing work of the highest quality.
He/she will be expected to plan and coordinate the production, printing and delivery of the Council's examination question papers and related materials, overall management of the Division including budgeting, production schedules customer relations, training, evaluating, reporting, motivating and ensuring compliance with laws and regulations governing the use of copyright materials.
COMPENSATION
Salary in the scale: - BDS$55,272 x 2,076 - 76,032
(under review) per annum
Allowances
Entertainment - BDS$575 per month
Travel - BDS$655 per month
Housing - 20% of basic salary
Telephone - BDS$31 per month
The Council also offers pension, group life and health insurance schemes. Relocation assistance is provided where necessary.
Applications, marked "Confidential" accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae documentary evidence of qualifications, and the names, addresses and telephone/fax numbers of three referees should be sent no later than May 19, 1998 to: The Registrar, Caribbean Examinations Council, The Garrison, St Michael, Barbados, West Indies. (Attention: Personnel Division). Fax: (246) 429-5421. Applicants resident in Jamaica should send applications to the Pro-Registrar, Caribbean Examinations Council, Western Zone Office, Caenwood Centre, 37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica, West Indies, for onward transmission to Barbados.
CARIBBEAN EXAMINAI'IONS COUNCIL
VACANCY
THE CARIBBEAN EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL (CXC), invites applications for the post of SENIOR ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT (ANALYST/PROGRAMMER) located at the Council's Headquarters in Barbados.
Applicants should possess:
A good first degree or equivalent qualification in Computer Science from a recognised tertiary institution;
Experience as an analyst/programmer in a systems development project;
Knowledge of and working experience with C++/C and JAVA. Experience with other client/server applications would be an asset;
Working familiarity with Windows NT 4.0 and Microsoft Windows for 95;
Experience with designing systems using Relational Database Management Systems (RDMS) and SO1.
The successful candidate will perform the duties of Analyst/Programmer and will be required to develop and write programs from verbal or written specifications, e.g. pseudo code; work as part of a systems development team to develop multi-user applications for implementations on a Window NT client/server network environment and develop systems analysis reports on appropriate IT solutions to support the Council's business needs.
COMPENSATION
Salary in the scale: - BDS$38,388x 1,464-50,100
(under review) (QB)// - 53,028 per annum
Allowances
Entertainment - BDS$190 per month
Travel - BDS$415 per month
Housing - 20% of basic salary
The Council also offers pension, group life and health insurance schemes. Relocation assistance is provided where necessary.
Applications, marked "Confidential" accompanied by a detailed curriculum vitae documentary evidence of qualifications, and the names, addresses and telephone/fax numbers of three referees should be sent no later than May 19, 1998 to: The Registrar, Caribbean Examinations Council, The Garrison, St Michael, Barbados, West Indies. (Attention: Personnel Division). Fax: (246) 429-5421. Applicants resident in Jamaica should send applications to the Pro-Registrar, Caribbean Examinations Council, Western Zone Office, Caenwood Centre, 37 Arnold Road, Kingston 5, Jamaica, West Indies, for onward transmission to Barbados.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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