GOM Committed to Thatch Valley Airport, Seducted to a Gerald’s Airstrip
By Helena Durand & B.
Roach
The Honourable Minister for Communications and
Works Dr. Lowell Lewis has noted his government’s commitment to construction
of an airport in Thatch Valley repeating the ruling NPLM party’s manifesto
promise, while all but confirming that there will be an airstrip at Gerald’s.
The manifesto says: “…The
completion of an airport for fixed wing aircraft is an urgent priority.
Ideally, a landing strip of 4000 feet, capable of accepting American
Eagle flights from Puerto Rico is needed for future economic activity.”
But in a communique this week the Minister seemed
resigned to the idea of an airport/airstrip at Geralds: “The
reports are not back yet, but the feedback so far suggests that Old Quaw would
not be suitable, that Thatch Valley would be the ideal location, but will cost
200 million dollars, and that
Geralds would be at least, safe for islanders, up to 9 seats.”
He seemed certain of what he would expect, “I
have no problem with the outcome, as it allows us to proceed with plans for both
the short term temporary, and long
term permanent airstrip.
And the people of Geralds know that we did everything in our power to
avoid putting the air strip in their village.
“Those
who think the islander is no advantage over the helicopter are wrong.
An islander can fly direct to St Martin, or even Barbados, as we have had
to do for medical evacuations in the past.”
Later this week he is reported to have said:
“At the end of this week, we get a report from Civil Aviation
authority. It is expected to confirm that Thatch Valley is our best option. It
will also tell us of the feasibility of Old Quaw, and whether the information
available on Gerald’s is sufficient to allow the start of the temporary,
interim solution that the United Kingdom has offered. Whether or not that
decision is made, we intend to continue with our ultimate plan for an airstrip
at Thatch Valley,” Dr. Lewis said
at the meeting of the Legislative Council on Tuesday, adding that the intention
has been taken to the highest level in the United Kingdom.
Just last month a memorandum coming from Dr.
Lewis’ Ministry dated June 21,2001and signed by himself, noted the possibility
of an airport with similar capacity at the Northern tip of the island commonly
referred to as Old Quaw. He noted
too that the Director of the Emergency Centre had been asked to make enquires as
to what was “required to make the area suitable for landing by an aircraft
such as the C130. I have also asked the Manager of the Heliport to arrange
quotations and orders for the equipment needed to collect meteorological
data.”
The memorandum was circulated weeks after the
Minister had written to the Head of DFID Mr. Barry Kavanagh requesting his
presence to a meeting to discuss matters relating to the airport. Mr.
Kavanagh’s reportedly responded that he did not have the “time” to attend
to such a meeting.
Dr. Lewis’s ministry, under his direction has
been working towards getting an airstrip at Old Quaw rather than the DFID
preferred Gerald’s Bottom which most, if not all, Montserratians are against.
Montserratians and British Citizenship
By Helena Durand and
Bennette Roach
Soon, Montserratians and other British
territories, may no longer be denied entry and access to certain countries come
September, 2001.
The Nationality Act, a Bill to grant British
citizenship to Montserratians and other Overseas Territories has been tabled in
the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. Introduced
by, Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for foreign and Commonwealth Affaires,
Baroness Amos, a CANA reports credits her as having told the House of Lords last
week: “It is no longer appropriate to use terms such as dependent territory or
colony, terms which are outdated and which fail to reflect the nature of our
relationship with the territories.”
She also pointed out that: "In consultations
on the content of the bill the governments of the territories concerned made
clear that granting British and European citizens the right of abode in their
territories would risk fundamentally altering the social, cultural and economic
fabric of the territories;" and that the right of abode is non-reciprocal,
which means that British citizens in the metropolitan country do not have the
right of abode in the territories.
If approved, some of the uncertainty which plague Montserratians regarding their
national status, will cease. The Bill will formally change the name of the
Territories and approximately 200,000 citizens who live on the islands.
The Bill evolved out of the 1999 White Paper
entitled ‘Partnership For Progress And Prosperity-Britain and Overseas
Territories.’ It alters also those terms in the British Nationality Act 1981,
and will add a new definition of British Overseas Territory in the
Interpretation Act 1978 so that the term can be conveniently used in all future
legislation.
While becoming British citizens, the Bill which is expected to be passed by
September this year, will give persons the right of abode in the United Kingdom,
the right of free movement and residence, and the opportunity to work in EU
member states. The British territories in the Caribbean include Anguilla,
Bermuda, British Virgin Islands (BVI), Cayman Islands, Montserrat and the Turks
and Caicos Islands.
Leader of the Opposition Hon. Reuben Meade said
in an interview with the Montserrat Reporter, “right now we [Montserratians]
are partially British citizens and we don’t have certain rights and
privileges, and this will now offer us those rights and privileges. Some people
feel it’s a negative, it’s not, because we are still Montserratians
irrespective, and we determine who we are.”
In a statement at the recently held UN
De-colonization Seminar in Cuba, Parliamentarian Chedmond Browne said, “… I
also want it clearly understood here that the people of Montserrat are not in
favor with the British government’s attempts to manufacture our integration
into their empire through making us British citizens. Mr. Chairman, it should be
abundantly clear that this citizenship will not change our present colonial
position and may in fact devolve further what little administrative authority
the elected government has. Mr. Chairman, we view this as a way, by the use of
papers and documents, to circumvent de-colonization and remove us or to use the
terminology, delist us…”
But Hon Reuben Meade said, “Montserrat is not
part of the United Nations, and if we are looking at de-colonization,
de-colonization is not a function of the United Nations. It is a function of the
people of Montserrat. If the people of Montserrat wish to become independent,
they have to determine that for themselves. In other words, the politicians have
got to go to the people and a significant majority of the people, at least more
than 50 per cent of them have to say yes we want to be independent. British
passport is a British passport. You don’t want to accept it, then you behave
as though you’re not British.”
He said that the unofficial percentage required
in terms of getting a ‘yes’ vote is 66 per cent of the votes cast in favor
of independence, which is pretty much standard throughout in matters of this
nature.
Governor Longrigg suspends prison sentences
By Helena Durand and
Bennette Roach
Responding to a request of Chief Minister Hon.
John Osborne, His Excellency Governor Longrigg has suspended the mandatory two
year sentences which were recently handed down on two young men at the July High
Court Criminal Assizes.
The two men George Farrell and Rexford Davis, who
upon conviction were given a custodial two year sentence a week ago for illegal
possession of firearm under the firearms Act, were released today.
In a press statement Governor Longrigg said, “I
have consulted the Executive Council on 19 July. In view of the commitment made
by the Government to amend the Firearms Act and the action already taken to this
end; and in view also of advice I have received that it would be reasonable to
assume that, in the absence of the mandatory requirement for two year sentences
under the current Firearms Act, custodial sentences would not have been imposed,
I have decided to exercise my powers under Article 7 of the Constitution and
suspend the sentences passed on Mr. George Farrell and Mr. Rexford Davis for two
years.”
He noted that in practice, this meant the men get
their liberty forthwith, “But should they commit a further offence within two
years, the existing two year sentence will be added to whatever sentence is
imposed for a subsequent offence.” The release stopping the press noted the
Chief Minister had conceded the Governor’s statement.
Chief Minister Osborne who earlier was one of a
Legilsative Council three–man Sub-Committee to look over the Fire Arm Act, had
just Tuesday at the Legislative Council the meeting, lamented the fact that the
young men had to have been given custodial sentences. He announced then that his
government had decided to introduce a Bill to amend the Act which would then
restore to the judiciary full discretion as regards what kind of punishment
should be imposed on an offender convicted under the Act. He also expressed his
intention of securing passage of this amendment through the Legislative Council
at the earliest possible date and has since issued appropriate drafting
instructions to the Attorney General.
Pardons and suspension of High Court sentences
are not common occurrences in Montserrat, with this being the first for Governor
Longrigg who only took office less than three months ago. Over two years ago,
Governor Longrigg’s predecessor Anthony Abbott came under fire from the press
for issuing pardons to two men who were involved in the Barclays Bank robbery,
doing so in dubious circumstances without consultation with the Chief Minister.
"It is More Than
Time to Take Matters of the White Paper on Board"
In February a four-person team led by Barrister
Gillian Dare representing the Foreign and Commonwealth Office paid a visit to
Montserrat primarily to update the British
Overseas territory Islands and test their reactions so far to the issues
surrounding the white paper.
As very often is the case, they met with various
groups of people which included among other the Montserrat Christian council and
the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce, former Chief Minister Brandt and other
members of the Legislative Council.
To some extent the visit was ill-timed for
Montserrat. It could not have been deliberate because of the circumstances that
prevailed at the time
Former ministers Adelina Tuitt and Rupert Weekes had just
thrown the island into an early election campaign a week ago.
Last week the Montserrat Reporter highlighted a
problem that has been plaguing Montserratians for decades as migration and
visits to England became more than the occasional. The visit of the team after
the new homosexual law was enacted and foisted upon us, merely reinforced that
the law was going to be passed regardless of any position the territories took.
That, it could be argued was already a breach of the tenor of the White Paper,
which suggested ‘modern partnership for progress and prosperity’, a new
relationship to suit the day of equality and friendship – more specifically
“self-determination; - mutual obligations and responsibilities; - freedom for
the territories to run their own affairs to the greatest degree possible; to
include Coordination, Citizenship, Financial regulation and Human rights.”
The homosexuality issue when raised with the
commission by some groups hardly got a comment but received notice.
It was pointed out to the group however that as
far as Montserrat was concerned, there was little progress made from our
perspective. The team suggested that their was some progress with respect to the
issues in the White Paper, but they were stopped dead
on the matter and told that
although and because Montserrat was a special case, with special circumstances
the new proposed partnership seemed more onerous than before.
The citizenship issue was raised and it was
reported to us that all matters relating thereto were being dealt with and it
was expected to happen without any serious objections from the British
legislators.
The news this week
that the House of Lords would soon give its blessing certainly was no surprise.
What is still surprising is how little informed, Montserratians both at home and
abroad are, about the effects and meaning of this than new Bill.
Worse, it has not been for want of suggestions to
have the matter discussed. It was raised several times at press conferences and
other forums, but no action has been taken.
Much of the bad experiences of Montserratians
during their travel would have been avoided if people knew exactly what their
status were in the varying circumstances. Immigration officers all over seem not
to know exactly how to deal with the passports issued Montserratians wherever.
While they appear not confused, it always raises questions and of course the
decisions vary often not to the benefit of the Montserratian.
So the question is how will British citizenship
improve the Montserratian status when he is traveling or politically? We are
told the British citizenship offer guarantees that Montserratians may opt to
become a British citizen while maintaining Montserrat nationality, or not to
take British citizenship. Citizenship will not entitle one to full British
benefits except in emergencies.
The confusion that exists now must be tackled
immediately to avoid much ill feelings and sufferings later on and which in fact
are being experienced now anyway. There is much to be discussed and while the
matter of self-determination, constitution reform review are in the air, it is
more than urgent that these matters be dealt and the people who will be affected
be involved all the way.
The fact is that much of our future development
and how we proceed with it depends to a great degree how well our people
understand what is involved, the meaning and effect any action or agreement we
enter into will have on us and our children.
It is not enough to tell Montserratians they can
now have British citizenship, without telling them in an understandable manner
what is involved and how it will affect them.
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
Seeing God’s Actions In Our Lives
Then Peter recovered his senses and said, “Now
I know for certain that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me…” Acts 12:11
We may not have experienced a rescue this
dramatic, but I am confident that we all have been “set free’ by the Lord in
one way or another. And when that happened, we may have, like Peter at first
doubted that it was happening.
Peter, asleep in prison between two soldiers and
in chains, was awakened by an angel
who led him to safety. At first, Peter thought that he was seeing a
“vision”, in other words, that he was imagining things and was not truly
being set free. Only when he was finally led to safety and the angel left him
did Peter “recover his senses” and understand what had happened.
We human beings do not always comprehend what is
happening to us, nor do we always see the hand of God in the events of our
lives. Let us pray that we can also recover our senses enough to recognize the
ways we have been led to safety by God’s hand. Let us give thanks and praise
to the One who has rescued us.
Mark
Neilsen
Acts 12”1-11; Psalm 19:2-5; 2Timothy 4:6-8,
17-18; Matthew 16:13-19
Reader
Says Dust Story is Racist
Its
a shame that such a renowned newspaper like yours will run such an atrocious
atricle on dust germs being blown from Africa to the Carribean.
Stop behaving like the white Press.
This is absolutely a racist way of looking at the black man.
Don’t get into the stupid syndrome of "everything from Africa
being bad". Could you imagine
how long these germs will have to travel across the Atlantic Ocan to get to the
Carribean.
Shame
on your newspaper. How did they survive? You should retract the article as there
is no truth to the whole piece.
Peace.
John
Jhammond@aol.com
National
Park Needed To Protect Fishing & Tourism
Dear
Editor,
I
have personally witnessed the indiscriminate anchoring of private as well as
commercial vessels along the western coast of Montserrat.
I am sure that the owners of these vessels are not aware that directly
below them lies one of the most diverse ecosystems that Montserrat has.
Divers are describing significant recent damage
to the reef at Little Bay. It goes
without saying that these areas are a vital nursery for the fishing industry and
a source of income from tourist operations.
It takes decades for coral and sponge formations to form, but only
seconds for them to be destroyed.
These,
along with other areas, were under consideration for a marine national park
prior to volcanic activity. The
majority of documentation and statistics, studies, and research have all been
done, yet the destruction of a valuable asset continues unchecked.
A
marine national park for Montserrat is a necessity for the future sustainability
of the island’s fishing and tourism industries.
Yours
sincerely
Stephen
Macnamara
PENSION
INTEGRATION – WHOSE CONFUSION?
Mr. Editor your ‘aside article’ on the above
topic in the Reporter of June 08, 2001 on such an important issue gave the
impression that the publishers as usual avoided homework.
The ‘story’ is based on proposed changes that will affect
approximately 513 employees (the consultant’s figures) who are major
purchasers of goods, services. Etc, etc, in this population of 5,000, and you
failed to deliver.
Mr. Farrell, the CSA representative is quoted as
saying “we need to know what we are getting before we get into it.” He
perhaps should have said we need to know what we will be getting into before
we get into it. But what will he and his members be getting into?
A shift to Social Security for those 513 persons
will see their disposable incomes/take home pay reduced that is, if all else
remains unchanged. A three (3) % off the top of their pay along with other
deductions will cause a drop/fall in their spending power. This as economists
would say is a decelerator at work. Its impact will be felt by all and sundry,
particularly those dependent on the injections to the monthly round of spending
as a major source of earnings. Were we to say that the average take from each of
these 513 persons is $120/monthly, then each month $61,560.00 does not make the
spending round. With the economy as is, the impact could be just short of
devastating. The annual figure amounts to $738,720.00. Do we want this just now?
Uncle Desie, who hung his mouth where the soup
fell, and now back living in England was of the view that dockworkers were seeing
too much of their pay. How correct would those workers now retired on minimal
pensions say he was? Why their pensions are low is another story altogether! Are
the 513 persons in a similar position? I think not! These people are employees
of the GoM and GoM has a “non-contributory pension scheme” for its employees
where they have put in twenty (20) years of qualifying service. It is perhaps
the differences between what presently is and what is proposed with insufficient
details, which makes Mr. Farrell so cautious about what he and his members may
be getting into.
As a government employee, one can be fairly well
assured that at the end of his working life, this being 55, he will receive
terminal benefits which in most cases is taken as cash gratuity and reduced
pension to which he has made no monetary contribution. This has been the major
condition, and the one which goes to the heart of the matter, which made it
possible for GoM to compete for the cream of the crop. You received your
wages/salary to spend or invest as you saw fit and was yet taken care of in
retirement.
But let us not forget that both parties
benefited. The downside for the employee was the plus for GoM. Because of the
pension provisions one can equate this with the capped level of remuneration
earned by government employees, but they had security of tenure.
Pre-volcanic eruption data taken between Public and private Sector pay would
support this. Persons gravitated to the Private Sector where higher pay was the
main determinant.
By introducing the change now, which some learned
persons think is long overdue, GoM will free itself of the need to pay pensions
from current revenues. It will make its monthly contributions and the Social
Security then takes up the responsibility when the time comes to make payouts.
This should improve budgeting and the cash position as there is less call on the
revenue in the fiscal year making hopefully for improved performance.
The above are some benefits, and if the trend is followed as has occurred
elsewhere, these very contributions can be tapped into for various reasons.
Hopefully, we will not overbuild a radio station again. History must not repeat
itself thus. If I was a GoM employee, what would be the impact other than
reduced take home pay?
I would not be able to retire at 55 and get all
my benefits. There will be no choice of having a lump sum gratuity to clear off
my debts or take a cruise, put money in the bank and have a reduced pension.
(Here lies the major change). I would also be required to continue in employment
with GoM until I got to age 60 before getting my pension and no lump sum. Is it
a wonder that civil servants don’t like the idea?
The consultant, in my view also gets himself into tangles on the
retirement issue. At one point in the document which I saw he states that moving
to Social Security would be beneficial. The reason given is that this would
provide upward mobility for younger employees who will fill positions vacated by
those older persons freely leaving because they are no longer forced to stay in
order to get a pension. I disagree!
The act of increasing the Civil Service
retirement age to 60 years in line with that at which Social Security payments
are made would see persons working longer and extended by five (5) years the
time one retires from the service. How can you extend working the life in the
Civil Service, the main area of employment historically and for the foreseeable
future and yet expect upward mobility for the younger employees? Perhaps a lot
which should have been made available for scrutiny has not, or am I a
blockheaded fool with no powers of reasoning?
I’ll take leave now and have you, Mr. Editor,
do all the follow up research and publications.
Jon Bardis
Editor's note
Carrying a news item, does not require the
paper to stir up controversy, between
opposing parties by researching advantages and disadvantages for either.
They have to work out their differences of
opinion and choose.
New Nursery and Primary School For Lookout
Preparatory work has begun for the construction
of a new nursery school at Lookout.
It is one of the government’s main projects
geared for early completion.
The school, which is expected to cost over
EC$500,000 Minister of Education Hon. Idabel Meade said, will be targeting the
provision of the best quality of early education.
She said by January next year, the school should
be able to accommodate children from ages 1-3 as a day care centre, “and early
childhood education for at least 20-30 children.”
She said the school would probably be mainly for
children of the north because of transportation problems but that, “it’s not
a problem if one wants to attend the Lookout Nursery school.” She also
confirmed that a primary school will be opened to accommodate children for the
new school year in September. However, she noted that only classes one, two, and
three at the primary level will be available. “After class, the children will
be able to go back into a higher grade most likely, the Brades School, but that
is still in the pipeline.”
The new primary school she said does not yet have
a name, but she is positive that before long one will be announced.
Construction of the Nursery School is being
undertaken by Ryan Investments Limited. Manager John Ryan said work on the
building, which will be hurricane resistant, is expected to be completed within
six months.
Reportedly, they must first undertake the
dismantling of the wooden structures on the site.
Leicester Montserrat Assoc Dontates Beds to Montserrat
The Glendon Hospital of Montserrat recently
received 16 beds through the Leicester Montserrat Association in England, to
distribute between the Hill View Home and the Margetson Memorial Home.
Mrs. Carol King who has been in regular contact
with the Association since 1999, visited here recently for a first hand look at
the situation. She then managed to secure the beds, which were shipped to the
island.
The donation, a Ministry of Health press release
states was timely, because "Many of those [beds] in use, particularly in
the Margetson Memorial Home and Hill view Home, were either very low or not in
good working condition." This situation the release stated, did not only
make residents uncomfortable, but that, "care-givers found it very
difficult to operate with these very low beds."
US$850,000 sporting facility for Montserrat
By Helena Durand
The Montserrat Football Association (MFA), in
collaboration with FIFA, will construct a purpose built and adequate sporting
facility at Blakes, costing US$850,000.
The project proposal was conceptualized by the M
FA, in the wake of volcanic
activity which began in 1995 and subsequently destroyed Sturge Park the island's
main sport centre in the capital city Plymouth.
Because of the island's history as a nation of footballers and
enthusiasts, makeshift arrangements did not deter them from preparing the
national team for participation in the World Cup Qualifiers of 1999, in the
Dominican Republic vs Montserrat (3-0 & 3-10.
The personal involvement of Mr. Austin Jack
Warner, Vice president of FIFA, resulted in the tabling of the project's
potential at a FIFA Meeting in Bahamas in May 2000.
The economic analysis of the project and its social value in providing a
positive and lucrative past-time for youth; enhancing the involvement of women
in sports; bringing hope and encouragement to a people called
"Montserratians" who had lost all their life's earnings and investment
as a community, and redressing the apparent loss of community, worked to make
the project winsome.
To that end on July 26th, 2001, a nine
member delegation, including Mr. Warner will arrive here for the ground breaking
ceremony at Blakes. Mr. Warner will have an audience with the Governor, Chief
Minister and the Minister for Sports.
The project is two-phased. In the first phase,
elements to be financed in the Montserrat Football Development Project are
acquisition of six acres of land; construction of the field; secure perimeter
fencing and access/service road (Government of Montserrat).
The Montserrat FA has noted its commitment to the
continued resurgence and success of football on the island. The construction of
the this new facility has potential for increasing the Montserrat's range of
tourism products and provides a center for football here. The facility will also
contribute greatly to social stability and is seen as a catalyst for further
development of the island's displaced communities, especially the youth and
women.
Public Library Finds a New Home At Last
The Public Library housed at the BBC building in
Brades was officially opened on Wednesday.
The Library boasting 3000square feet of space, is
stocked with books of every kind, covering fiction, non-fiction, science and
others. There are sections sporting, local authors, Caribbean authors and black
authors.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education
Mr. Alric Taylor who chaired the function noted that the library service in
Montserrat dated back to the 1890’s on a subscription basis, but by the
1940’s had embraced the concept of a free library.
Although the function was most impressive as
persons from a cross section of the public milled about, the library was not
always housed in such magnificent surroundings. In 1996 shortly after the
volcanic crisis began, it was moved to a three bedroom unfinished house in
Woodlands. Service was limited because of the space.
Today Librarian Ruth Allen expresses the wish
that “lots of people will come to the library and take advantage of what it
has to offer. “There is plenty of space, it is quiet and conducive to study,
and we subscribe to a wide variety of periodicals, news letters, news papers and
more, she said.”
She was particularly grateful to her staff of
four; three permanent and one part time. “All the hard work of packing and
unpacking is done. It is a good feeling, as we now see the evidence of our
labour. I want to thank members of our families and friends who supported us and
my church group as well” the Librarian said.
Among persons present at the function were
Professor Fergus and lady Fergus, Minister for Education Mrs. Idabelle Meade,
who formally declared the library opened, government and non-government
officials.
We Will Spare No Effort Controlling Loose Cattle
By Helena Durand
Although reasonable attempts have been made in
the past to control loose livestock, the Minister of Agriculture says the
results were minimum.
At the sitting of the Legislative Council on
Tuesday, Mrs. Dyer-Howe said the unattended movement of roaming livestock on the
hillsides cause erosion of the landscapes and create hazards for both vehicles
and pedestrians. And to rectify the situation in the shortest possible time, her
Ministry spares no effort.
“Where possible, the meat will be given to the
hospital, prison, old people’s home and the Meals On Wheels Programme. Some
animals will be tagged and taken to the pound for disposal in the usual
manner.” She called on livestock farmers to tether their animals securely as
“firm action will be taken to control this very serious problem. Mr. Speaker,
if this problem is allowed to continue, we will lose our chance to restore
greater self-sufficiency in crop farming. Our crop farmers and backyard
gardeners, who contribute significantly to all our livelihood, are driven to
give up as their efforts continue to be destroyed beyond recovery, and their
investments go down the drain time after time. The loose livestock problem if
not swiftly reduced now, will spell the end of crop farming in Montserrat and
the whole island will suffer. Mr. Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture does not
intend to sit by and allow this to happen.”
Community urged to intensify lobby for bill
NEW YORK, CANA - Brooklyn Congressman Major Owens
and Montserrat community activist Vera Weekes are urging the Caribbean-American
community here and Congressional representatives to support a bill that would
grant permanent status to Montserratians living in the United States on a
temporary basis.
In a letter to his congressional colleagues, Owens said that the bill he has
introduced in the House, was a humanitarian gesture that should bring relief to
about 1,000 Montserratians who, since 1997, have resided in New York City under
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) because of volcanic ravages to the British
Caribbean island dependency.
"Please join the humanitarian effort to provide a permanent home for
victims of this continuing natural disaster," he said, referring to the
on-going activities of the Soufriere Hills volcano, which, since 1995, has
almost annihilated the 39-square-mile island, about one hour by boat and 15
minutes by air from Antigua.
"It is unlikely that the conditions will substantially improve in the near
and not so near future," added Owens, who represents the 11th Congressional
District in Brooklyn, the largest district of Caribbean immigrants in the United
States.
Weekes, who is also Fiscal Advisor
and Outreach Coordinator at Brooklyn's Medgar Evers College's Caribbean Research
Center, said that any gesture to assist her compatriots in attaining permanent
residency or citizenship would be most welcomed.
About two-thirds of the island has been rendered uninhabitable in light of the
volcano's continuous activities.
The southern, central and eastern sections have been completely destroyed,
including the capital Plymouth, the center of commercial activities as well as
the lone, small airport in the east has also been ruined.
Consequently, the population has been dramatically reduced from 12,000 to 4,000.
Eight thousand nationals have fled to several regions of the world, including
Antigua and Barbuda, and other Caribbean islands, Great Britain and the United
States, while the remaining
residents live in an eleven by seven mile-area in the north of the island.
The bill, introduced in the House by Owens is now before the Judiciary Committee
and the Subcommittee on Immigration and Claims.
If approved it goes to floor for further debate.
While many Montserratians on TPS are overjoyed about the initiative and hope
that the Bill becomes law, they complain about what they regard is the
obsequious and uncouth treatment meted out to them by some Immigration and
Naturalisation Service (INS) officials whenever they renew their status annually
or seek temporary waiver to visit a relative in their homeland.
"If they (Congress) pass that Bill, it'll give us the freedom that we have
been crying out for," said Mavis Ryner-Harris, who's living in Queens and
is on TPS. "They yell and scream at us. We feel like we're in prison."
ZJB Drops One of its FM
Frequencies
Radio Montserrat (ZJB Radio) has temporarily
dropped one of its FM frequencies.
Effective Wednesday this week, Radio Montserrat
is being broadcast only on FM 95.5 for areas in the north and FM 88.3 for areas
south of St. Peter’s. The FM 88.3 frequency can also be heard in the north.
According to a news item on ZJB, service on the
FM 91.9 frequency which previously served the south of the island was
discontinued from Wednesday. Senior Technician Ivor Greenaway said the change
was made to allow the station to better serve its listeners. He said in
addition, many of the Japanese vehicles being brought into the island are
equipped with radios that can only pick up frequencies below 90 mega hertz.
Mr. Greenaway said too that Wednesday’s change
over was made to ensure that no listener is disadvantaged.
Bird
- No Tolerance to Civil Unrest for Early ElectionsAntigua
CANA
- Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Lester Bird has warned that government
will not tolerate civil unrest in an attempt to bring down his government due to
a new wave of taxes to help stabilise a staggering economy.
Bird's
warning at the weekend came after last week Thursday's "Peoples'
March" at which organisers openly vowed to employ the strategy of St
Vincent and the Grenadines' then opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP) to create
civil disobedience in an attempt to force early elections and eventually bring
down the government.
"Any
group that wishes to carry out civil disobedience, as far as I am concerned,
would have to take the consequences of doing so.
"There
is a question of law and order and a question of the rule of law and I just hope
that it would not come to that," he told a news conference.
While
acknowledging that protests were the democratic right of persons, he said they
did not mean that the government would collapse.
Alister
Thomas, one of the organisers of the Peoples' March,' told the just over 1,000
protesters that government was being given until mid-July to roll back the tax
measures or face civil disobedience by the end of August as part of efforts to
force the collapse of the government.
Bird
wants the private sector and non governmental organizations to join government
in improving the quality of life for the 68,000 residents of this twin-island
state.
Government
has been coming under intense pressure from the political opposition and the
business community for planning to retrench some workers by November,
introducing a two per cent turnover tax on gross earnings of unincorporated
businesses and professionals as well as an environmental tax on vehicular tyres
and a hike in property taxes.
The
Prime Minister, however, noted that the tax measures had begun to improve
cash-flow as the Inland Revenue Department had collected EC$11.2 million
(US$4.14 million) more in taxes for the first five months of 2001 compared to
the same period last year.
Government
expects the economy to show further signs of improvement when a EC$162 million
(US$60 million) project for the expansion of the Carlisle Bay Hotel begins in
addition to the EC$270 million (US$100 million) sports and business complex by
the Stanford Group of companies and the EC$46 million fisheries project.
Lousy
tax collection, under-invoicing and lower receipts from tourism, as well as
hurricane destruction over the past five years have been cited as major reasons
for a tight fiscal although the economy has registered an average of six per
cent growth over the past 20 years.
Caribbean IWC members likely to vote pro-whaling again
Antigua, CANA
- The six Eastern Caribbean members of the International Whaling Commission
(IWC) are expected to continue their pro-whaling voting pattern when that
organization meets in London next Monday, a senior Antiguan official said
Tuesday.
The IWC commissioners of the six nations --
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St
Vincent and the Grenadines -- did not meet here this week as planned due to
previous commitments by St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
Antigua and Barbuda's IWC commissioner Daven Joseph said a round-robin among the
six Eastern Caribbean states resulted in a common position in favour of the
"principles of sustainable use" of whales.
Joseph declined to say whether that meant they would again all vote against both
the establishment of a southern ocean whaling sanctuary and a moratorium on
whaling.
Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Lester Bird
last week openly tied his country's support for whaling to aid from the
whale-hunting nation of Japan as well as the fact that the minky whale is not an
endangered species.
This country has since 1996 received EC$90 million (US$33.3 million) in aid from
Japan for various projects mainly in the fisheries sector, and the country is
currently negotiating for EC$40 million for a sewage plant.
The IWC is headquartered in Britain and was established in 1946 and is made up
of 41 members.
St. Kitts Cabinet helps Tourist Industry, waives hotel accommodation tax
St. Kitts, CANA - The Government of St. Kitts and
Nevis at a cabinet meeting Monday agreed to waive the hotel accommodation tax
for a 15-month period.
"Mindful of the difficulties being experienced in the Tourism Industry
throughout the Caribbean, and of the fact that there have been hotel closures,
and also sensitive to the particularly critical role that has been and is being
played by Jack Tar Village Resort in the tourism industry of St. Kitts and
Nevis, Government has been engaged in discussions with the management of that
Hotel with a view to finding solutions to support the continuing operations of
Jack Tar Village," a Cabinet statement said.
It noted that Government has adopted a position to be as accommodating and supportive as possible and has agreed to offer certain special concessions to Jack Tar Hotel Resort.
"In addition, and as a gesture of support
and encouragement to the hotel sector in St. Kitts generally, Government has
agreed to waive the hotel accommodation tax for all hotels and guest houses in
St. Kitts for the period commencing August 1st 2001 and ending October 31,
2002," the Cabinet release said.
The St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Administration said it has agreed to grant
these concessions with the expectation that hotels and guest houses would use
the savings to maintain, and possibly increase staff, to enhance human resource
development, to increase promotion and marketing efforts and to improve and
upgrade their properties.
51st
GM OF WISICA HOSTED in NEVIS
The
51st General Meeting of the West Indian Sea Island Cotton Association (WISICA)
was held at the Old Manor Hotel in the parish of St George, Nevis.
Representatives
from its five member countries, namely Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Jamaica,
Montserrat and host country Nevis were in attendance for the first time ever.
The
purpose of the meeting according to President Leroy Roach was to promote and
develop as well as to market the cotton industry in the territories of the West
Indies. He also noted that there is a need to have a secured market to operate
from as well as to get maximum benefit from the industry.
Talking
to the Government Information Service, Honourable Livingstone Herbert, Minster
of Agriculture observed that for the last five years, cotton production was at a
very challenging time, as the industry was faced with extreme weather conditions
that included a period of drought. He also noted that there would be an increase
in five to ten acres for the production of cotton for the upcoming cotton
planting season.
The
WISICA was incorporated on March 3, 1945 and traditionally held meetings in
Barbados. However, the members of the association decided that in order to
enhance greater interest in the islands for production, they needed to move
meetings to different locations annually. The last meeting was held in October
2000 in Jamaica.
Trade-minister criticizes Jamaicans about CARICOM trade
Jamaica, CANA - Senior Jamaica Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Paul Robertson believes that Jamaica's
productive sector does not take Caribbean Community (CARICOM) trade serious
enough.
He said that Jamaica's strong focus
on North America means that many local producers were missing opportunities in
CARICOM.
The productive sector could gain by focusing on its regional "backyard
before seeking to take on larger markets, Dr Robertson said at a function here
this week.
"I think we should do a better job of exporting into the Caribbean. There
is no doubt that Jamaica hasn't been looking southwards in the ways that we
could. We don't take the rest of the Caribbean as seriously as we should. We
must do it for our survival," he said.
Medical Benefits Scheme COI Opens in Antigua
Antigua,
CANA - A Commission of Inquiry into alleged fraud at Antigua and Barbuda's
Medical Benefits Scheme (MBS) began Monday with an announcement that the
three-man commission would go in search of information dating back to the
beginning of the fund.
In
opening remarks, Commission Chairman Sir Alister McIntyre said that going back
to the inception of the MBS in 1978 depended a lot on the availability of
documents and the memory of former officials of the scheme.
"If
at the end of our exercise, it appears that there is insufficient information,
documentary or otherwise, to enable us to commence our inquiry from 1978, we
would have to advise the Governor General and respectfully request that the time
frame of the inquiry be amended in order to permit us to start at a later
year," he told the gathering at the Multipurpose Centre.
Those
present included a battery of local and foreign lawyers aswell as the three men
-- Dr Errol Cort, Bernard Percival and Bernard Walker -- who the Prime Minister
fired from as ministers based on the findings of a forensic audit.
McIntyre
emphasised that the three-man commission, comprising himself, British Queen's
Counsel Sir John Roberts and LIAT (1974) Limited auditor Oscar Frederick of
Antigua, did not regard the probe as a "naming and shaming exercise,"
a witch-hunt or a vendetta.
Lawyer
for the Commission is well-know Barbadian Queen's Counsel Dr. Richard
Cheltenham.
McIntyre
promised that those subjected to criticisms would be given an opportunity to
defend themselves.
The
commission chairman assured that any violations of the law would be made public
but pursuing such breaches of the law rested with the Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP). Already, the DPP is in possession of a copy of the forensic
audit report.
Gaps
and deficiencies in the administration of the MBS, he said, would be stated in
the recommendations of the report.
A
Commission of Inquiry is not be governed by court-room rules of evidence and
procedure and so anything that is considered relevant would be considered to get
to the truth.
He
warned that those subpoenaed but failed to do so would be cited for contempt in
accordance with the Commission of Inquiry Act.
Provision
has been made for private hearings in rare and exceptional circumstances.
Witnesses
are expected to first submit written statements on which they would amplify or
expand in their oral appearances.
In
an effort to guarantee fair, accurate and balanced coverage of the Inquiry, the
commissioners have called for a meeting with the media here.
"We
are conscious of the fact, however, that vital as the role of the media is that
there is always the danger in the course of a Commission of Inquiry, that
evidence may be distorted and/or exaggerated and that as a consequence
reputations may be damaged and/or destroyed and often irretrievably so," Mc
Intyre said.
Terms
of reference for the Commission of Inquiry were proposed by the 15-affiliate
coalition of labour, professional, business, religious and political
organisations and accepted without amendment by the government.
The
Commission of Inquiry will probe the disbursement of funds from each account
established and operated by the state-run fund, and the procurement policies and
practices for administrative, medical and pharmaceutical supplies and equipment
with special regard to weaknesses and abuses of the said policies and practices.
Other
terms of reference are the overall financing of the construction of the MBS'
pharmacy building and community clinics and in particular whether the projected
costs were exceeded; the disbursement of funds not qualified for benefits, and
the overall operation of the MBS with a view to recommending the improvement in
the management of the scheme.
The
decision to hold the inquiry was made on June 1, after several months of formal
and informal calls that were all rejected by the Prime Minister Lester Bird who
then relented.
Deepening Integration on Agenda for OECS Summit
A proposal for passport-free travel among
Member Countries is among wide ranging issues before OECS Heads of Government,
when they meet July 25th and 26th in Roseau, Dominica.
Heads of the nine-member grouping will also seek to agree on a long-range vision
for the Member States - whether as separate States or a more cohesive body.
These discussions follow renewed debate on deepening integration within the
OECS, sparked by the recent direct call for action by Vincentian Prime Minister
Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.
The Summit also gets an update on the economic and fiscal situation in OECS
Member Countries. Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Governor Sir Dwight Venner will
inform Heads about the difficulties facing the countries and the need for joint
or co-ordinated action.
Sir Dwight will also present recommendations on the financing and functioning of
the OECS Secretariat. He was appointed by the Heads at their Special Meeting in
Grenada in April, to chair a Technical Committee to review the Secretariat's
operations.
The Heads will also take the opportunity to discuss the pressing issues of air
transportation and tourism. The Secretariat will present reports on recent
ministerial meetings in these sectors.
The meeting will also try to reach agreement on the way forward for the widely
publicized claim by Venezuela of sovereignty of Aves Rock (also called Bird
Island) off Dominica.
The OECS comprise; Anguilla, Antigua/Barbuda; the British Virgin Islands,
Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and
the Grenadines.
Third term for Carrington With
a Desire for Integration
By Rickey Singh
Barbados, CANA - Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
heads of government have shown their confidence in the work of Secretary General
Edwin Carrington, by unanimously agreeing to grant him a third five-year term in
that post.
In confirming the decision by CARICOM leaders Thursday, Carrington, who has
built up an impressive record in the service of the region over some three
decades, said he intended to work "more vigorously" to complete
"our promise of meaningful regional
integration into reality."
That "reality", as explained in an interview with the Caribbean News
Agency (CANA), involves "the completion" of a triple set of major
initiatives.
These are the establishment of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME);
creation of its related institution, the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) -
which will have original jurisdiction in interpretation of the new CARICOM
Treaty - as well as the completion of a new Community Secretariat headquarter
complex being built by the Guyana Government at an estimated cost of
approximately US$9 million.
The Trinidad and Tobago-born economist, first became involved in serving the
region in September 1970 when he was invited by the now late William Demas -
first Secetary General of CARICOM - to work with the Community Secretariat as
head of the Economics and Statistics Division.
He kept rising in the ranks of the Secretariat as a civil servant seconded from
Trinidad and Tobago public service - from which he retired in 1998 - and was to
become the Community's fourth Secretary General in 1990 when he succeeded the
Jamaican economist, Roderick Rainford.
At 63, Carrington, a former two-term Deputy Secretary General and later one-term
Seretary General of the Brussels-based Secretariat of the African, Caribbean and
Pacific (ACP) states, credits Demas as "being the single most influence on
my involvement
in the service of the Caribbean Community".
His current second term expires in 2002 but it was essential that the CARICOM
governments make decision before their 23rd annual summit, scheduled for Guyana
next July to either renew Carrington's contract or find a new Secretary General.
The consensus was for a third five-year term, similar to that original given to
Demas.
Carrington said that "working to build a region is certainly much more
difficult than doing so for a single nation. It requires a commitment to long
and dedicated service ... I am grateful for the confidence of the Community's
heads of government in extending my
service for a third five-year term".
The Secretariat is currently facing some 13 resignations, including at executive
management level. And a report on its future structure and functioning is
currently being considered with a view to recommendations being submitted for
decisions by CARICOM leaders when they hold their 13th Inter-Sessional Meeting
in Belize in February next year.
Government, hoteliers to talk about closures
St. Lucia, CANA - The St. Lucia government and
representatives of Rex Resorts International will meet here next week to discuss
the plight of more than 300 workers whose jobs have been jeopardised by the
company's decision to close two of its St. Lucia hotels.
The 140-room all inclusive Papillon Hotel and the five star Royal St. Lucian
which has 96 rooms will close Sunday until December because of what the owners
say is a slowdown in business.
There has been no official word from the hotel group, whose headquarters are in
Britain, about the termination arrangements being put in place for the 330
employees who have however been promised re-employment when the hotels reopen
December 15 for the usually lucrative winter season.
Tourism Minister Menissa Rambally announced the meeting with the Rex management
Friday after visiting the two properties to be closed and speaking with the
employees.
She said later that she was "inspired" by their "resilience"
in the circumstances.
Rambally also said she was "gratified" that some other hotels would be
absorbing a few of the displaced staff.
Antigua, CANA - Antigua and Barbuda police
were Saturday on the hunt for two men who made off with a 20,000 Eastern
Caribbean (US$7,407) payroll while the money was being carried to a local
beverage factory to pay weekend wages.
Police spokesman Assistant Police Commissioner Rolston Pompey could not be
contacted but a senior police detective told the Caribbean News Agency (CANA) no
onee was arrested but a number of suspects were being questioned in connection
with the heist.
Kingsley Joshua, Sales and Marketing Manager of Antigua Brewery told reporters
that two armed and masked men held at gunpoint the three employees transporting
the money in a company bus on Friday.
No one was injured but the company vehicle was damaged when one of the robbers
opened fire.
Police found the tinted-glass car, which had no license plate, a short distance
away from where the robbery was committed.
Joshua said he suspected that the robbery might have been committed in collusion
with workers of the company.
"I personally believe that it
is an inside job because the bus goes to and fro all the time and is a bus that
carries passengers in terms of shift workers and so on," he said.
Company officials said the payroll was not normally transported under armed
guard or police escort.
Attorney General leads team to Privy Council
St. Kitts, CANA - St. Kitts and Nevis Attorney
General, Delano Bart and Director of Public Prosecutions, Dennis Merchant are in
London where they will appear before the Privy Council in the Bertil Fox Murder
Appeal this week.
Fox, the Petitioner, was found guilty by a jury on May 22 1998, on two counts of
murder for the shooting deaths of his former fiancee and model, Leyoca Browne
and her mother, Violet "Babs" Browne.
Sentenced to death by Justice
Neville Smith, Fox had his appeal to the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court
dismissed on May 10, 1999.
In one of his several grounds of appeal, which will be heard before the Privy
Council in London on July 16 and 17, Fox contends that he was sentenced to death
in breach of his rights under Section 3 (a) of the Constitution of St.
Christopher and Nevis.
Antigua to intensify marketing efforts in offshore
Antigua, CANA - Antigua and Barbuda said Monday
that it would aggressively market the twin-island state as a clean offshore
jurisdiction now that Britain has removed its two-year old financial advisory.
Prime Minister Lester Bird said that his administration would do this in the
context of the fight against money laundering through its offshore and
traditional commercial banking systems as well as online gaming institutions.
At the same time, Antigua is optimistic that the United States would follow the
UK lead and remove its advisory.
The new Republican administration of US President George W. Bush has dispatched
a list of undisclosed questions to the Antigua government but Prime Minister
Bird believes that would not retard the progress already made.
Bermuda to offer citizenship to long-term residents
Bermuda, CANA-Reuters - Hundreds of long-term
foreign residents in Bermuda, long denied equal rights to home ownership and
employment, will be eligible for citizenship under legislation announced on
Friday.
The Bermuda government unveiled plans to grant citizenship to up to 400
residents and job protection through a permanent residents' certificate for up
to 1,100 more of the estimated 2,000 foreign residents who have lived on the
island 20 years or more.
Many in the majority black population resent the demands of the predominantly
white long-term residents for citizenship and job protection in the
22-square-mile (57-sq-km) resort island of 62,000 people.
Home Affairs Minister Paula Cox said a shortage of staff in Bermuda meant
foreign workers were essential to keep the flourishing offshore financial
services and tourism sector afloat.
"It balances the right of Bermudans to sustain themselves, to sustain their
essential character and to meet the needs of the Bermuda community with hopes of
people to become Bermudians," Cox said of the citizenship plan.
Amnesty urges probe of Jamaica street killings
MIAMI, CANA-Reuters - Amnesty International urged
Jamaica on Thursday to fully investigate the killing of 25 people in three days
of politically tinged gunbattles in the capital earlier this week, including
allegations that police and soldiers fired indiscriminately at unarmed
civilians.
The London-based human rights group also urged Jamaican political leaders to
"make clear to their supporters and every other citizen that violence
against their political opponents or the security forces is not
acceptable."
Gunfights broke out early on Saturday when police conducted a weapons raid in
the blighted Tivoli Gardens neighborhood, a stronghold for the opposition
Jamaica Labor Party.
Government officials with the ruling People's National Party said police
responded to gunfire and firebombs from "criminal elements." But
opposition politicians accused the security forces of shooting bystanders and
fomenting unrest for political reasons ahead of next year's general election,
charges the government denied.
Government spends billions on poverty eradication
Jamaica, CANA
The Jamaica Government has spent over J$24 billion (US$533 million) on
projects under the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NPEP) since 1995, an
official has said.
Of the amount, approximately J$4.65 billion (US$103 million) was allocated for
the 2000-2001 financial year.
State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Derrick Kellier, told
parliament that there were presently 56 recurring programmes and projects under
the NPEP.
These programmes operated alongside special ad hoc projects which formed the
basis of a package of services and opportunities for the country's poor and has
led to a steady decline in the amount of persons living below the poverty line,
he said.
Noting that the government was committed to improving the conditions of those in
poverty, Kellier said that a programme was underway to streamline the processes
for social policy initiation, development, implementation, monitoring and
evaluation.
Called the Jamaica Social Policy Evaluation (JASPEV), the programme is getting
support from Britain's Department for International Development and is intended
to last for seven months.
Kellier said Tuesday that as an expansion of the effort to improve the standard
of living of the poor, the Government was in the process of reforming the safety
net programme. Funding for the start of the project is being provided by the
Government, the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank.
Nature has oh so many faces.
You watch those too soon July waves
kissing the lips of the shore
at Little Bay like lap-dogs.
Watch them ripen in September
take on the ugly side of the Atlantic
the colour of its moods, copycat
depressions with a vengeance.
They will box the cheeks of cliffs
with demon rage, spit bad words
in God's face, scatter the shingles
with whom they lately played. Rabid
they leave a signature of madness on the land
Nature has oh so many faces,
We can be their looking glass.
Howard A. Fergus
By Justin ‘Hero’
Cassell
(Agricultural
Development Officer)
“EAT
FROM THE LAND, NOT FROM THE CAN”
From the DA’s Office
– Two more projects Approved
Once again farmers are
the beneficiaries of assistance from the Ministry of Agriculture.
1.
Egg Production & Marketing Project
This project aims at
self-sufficiency in egg protection. Major Egg producers will be provided with assistance to
expand their operations to a level that meets local demand. Currently 27,000 dozen eggs are imported annually.
Expansion plans are for 1200 layers to be in peak production by February
2002.
2.
Irish Potato Project
Local farmers have
produced Irish potato successfully for several years.
The production in 1993-1994 was such that potatoes were exported to
neighboring islands. The current
monthly consumption on Montserrat is 28,000 lbs all of which is imported. Irish potato is considered to be a crop readily marketable
locally. It is therefore one of the
targeted crops in the Ministry’s import substitution program.
The Ministry of
Agriculture and the Montserrat Christian Council are collaborating in a venture
to make the cost of planting material more affordable to farmers.
Attention Importers
The Ministry of
Agriculture has updated the list of countries on which restrictions have been
imposed on the importation of foodstuffs of cloven-hoofed animals.
These include cattle, sheep, goat and pigs especially.
These countries are India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Israel,
Jordan, China, Taiwan, South Africa, U.K., Holland, France, Argentina, Ireland,
Kuwait, Uruguay, Brazil, Columbia, Republic of Korea and Swaziland.
Importers must beware
of the seriousness of this disease and do not import foodstuff from the
countries listed above. Imports
from these countries will be confiscated and destroyed at the ports of entry
according to law.
The Ministry has
invited implementation of a number of preventative measures to combat the
possibility of entry of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) into Montserrat.
Fishermen Undergo
Training
Training in net
mending is now into week two. Eleven
fishermen have so far participated in the program, which runs for another few
weeks.
Brades Nursery
Cabbage and Eggplant
seedlings are available at the Agriculture Nursery in Brades.
Tomato and Sweet pepper seedlings will be ready next week.
THE ECCB DISFAVOURS MONTSERRAT
— New Representative Appointed
By Claude Gerald
The bad news keeps on coming to this volcanic
island that is moving at pedestrian pace towards recovery.
This time via the wings of the Eastern Caribbean
Central Bank, this noble corporate body is engaging in dinosaurian politics in
the management of its affairs on Montserrat. Word is out that Mr. C.T. John, who
had a protracted stint as Financial Secretary, is replacing a long retired civil
servant, Miss Alfreda Meade as the Institute’s representative on Montserrat.
In fact Mr. John is currently at the ECCB’s headquarters in St. Kitts
undergoing ‘training’ to yet man another important arm of this island’s
affairs. Training for a man who is yet not tired of retiring!
At the very core this is morally unpalatable for
many reasons. Whilst there is more than a hint that the ECCB is simply
rubberstamping the appointment of the retired geographer cum Permanent/Financial
Secretary, it has to bear more than average responsibility for foisting on a
weakened Montserrat the likes of Mr. John at this time. Mr. John has dominated
and manipulated the affairs of the Civil Service and other areas of life for the
better part of the last 25 odd years. Bright and gifted, he is believed to have
the personality to ‘work ‘ himself into positions of influence where his
hands are not seen but felt. Insiders claim he could surgically operate from
within to great effect with the cleanest of hands. Genius. Experienced though he
is, one has to wonder about his usefulness to Montserrat at this time in this
capacity. Strange, on demitting office as the 13 year-serving Financial
Secretary in November 2000 he boasted exultantly that ‘Me nar wok fu one odda
man in a me life-nough a nough, bouy’. Was that designed to lull others into a
false sense of security?
We have an unhealthy recycling sub-culture on
Montserrat that speaks not to the utilization of organic waste as such but to
maintaining certain personalities in office for an eternity. And as an extension
they are empowered to engrave themselves in their respective positions with
impunity as others watch and just in a hush, grumble their dissatisfaction. And
when they finally decide that enough is enough, they may select a replacement
that is soft, docile and sub-standard, so that unknowing commentators could make
favourable comparisons to the outgoing. As they move on, premeditatively, they
would have constructed a bigger nest for their own occupation. The system
therefore suffers through wanton intrigue and ineptness. Selfishness stinks
stinkingly! Nonsense triumphs blissfully!
Whilst commentators can question the
effectiveness of Miss Meade, it is to her credit that she wanted to go into
retirement peacefully in the late 80’s to early 90’s. The job of
representing the ECCB locally was virtually hatched for her. And not for any
magnanimous reason. But rather to keep the seat warm until it is convenient for
a select successor to decide when succession was appropriate. It is undeniable
that one Bilton Bramble, an able and accomplished accountant/manager with both
Montserrat and St.Kitts lineage was the first choice for the job. Bilton was
‘done in’ viciously through the nastiest of ‘bad talk’ that had its
origins on Montserrat. He failed though he passed with colours flying and the
system slipped in place the current holder of the position. She plodded along
waiting for the appropriate moment to self expire. Was this part of a master
plan that is now bearing fruit to satisfy the narrowest of interest? Only the
Elect must enter the Kingdom of the Select?
How could the ECCB as a developmental body and to
some extent local officials stomach this travesty? In an island in which the
population diminishes disturbingly due to lack of opportunities with a
generation and a half already lost; and school leavers who could reach fifth
form only, ‘must go’, the burning question that requires answers is how come
so few have such large privileges? So much control is exhibited over the state
of play that an albatross flying at its highest would take a back seat. The fact
is that the remnant of what was once a silent Montserrat, except for the
volcano, sits even more silently in the face of white collar atrocities and thus
unknowingly perhaps, crediting the discredited. The cycle goes on and we find
ourselves trapped in a Sargasso Sea of confusion, apathy and disillusionment.
Geographers are familiar with the stalemate that exists in that part of the
North Atlantic Ocean.
It must be remembered that even with the most
potent magic potion, the rejuvenation of the aged and dying cannot go on
indefinitely and that even as it proceeds there is at least, significant
intangible damage to the psyche of the population. We become warp-minded and
powerless. We see and yet feel we are not seeing. We hear and remain
dumbfounded. Who runs society we
ask and what are they made of? Is there substance to their make-up? Could this
disorganization continue and for how long?
I can think of several qualified, capable and
young Montserratians who can fit this bill adequately. Abroad, they only await a
call to return to a job of substance that befits their training and experience.
What is the point of schooling the young to assume key positions when the top is
top heavy with expiring passengers? The newly trained want upward mobility. They
wish to explore, experiment and grow. They want to be themselves, to earn
proudly and not to be handpicked for the wrong reasons. It is interesting to
know how long would be Mr. John’s stint this time and who is the targeted
replacement? That maybe encased in the tightest of secrecy.
The Government of Montserrat is implored to look
closely at these developments. This must boost the popularity of the new
administration at Brades. Sanctioning, would suggest that it is all right for
individuals with inside track by virtue of their varied positions, to self
propel at the expense of other deserving individuals. The lesson is plain: we
must beware of promoting development on the shoulders of those who could act as
‘bouncers’ to those who have a legitimate claim to enter the party of
accomplishment and professional growth. This uglification of Montserrat and its
people must be rigourously reviewed and curtailed. It would not be too far
fetched for the authorities to seek to dissolve the advancement of Mr. John,
even at this time, to allow for adequate ventilation of a developing stench
within the human resources of the ECCB on the Emerald Isle.
Claude Gerald is an agricultural economist,
with an abiding interest in the socio-political development on Montserrat.
E-mail, ceegee15@hotmail.com
Bajan
Equation
The
‘copter contractor repeats,
MVO
means the bulk of receipts;
Perhaps
they’d unravel
Their
lack of tour travel
With
a craft that provided more seats.
Unreal
Estate
Against
the new dome we’re ‘protected’
Because
‘no one knows’ what’s expected;
Yet
in all that’s included
In
the zone re-excluded
Are
dwellings that won’t be affected.
Jus wonderin if de Cable & Wireless worker
gonna pay the airline worker for the damage he did to her white re-con car on
Black Friday night.
Jus wonderin if it was her peace of mind that
drove to the extreme.
Jus wonderin how the officer taking all this now
in the life and death situation.
Jus wonderin who think they fooling who.
Jus wonderin why some men want to control women
when they don’t act responsible.
Jus wonderin if authors of Montserrat Electronic
Information think that they putting their description about themselves and what
is being obvious on the Internet would throw us off track.
Jus wonderin about the man who moved from the
house in Look Out a week before the special return home.
Jus wonderin who tekin who back
Jus wonderin if anyone could stop the wedding
this time this one.
Jus wonderin why CK have de black bird rocking
still.
Jus wonderin which part of de bird wings clip.
Jus wonderin why in this day and age some young
ladies can't conduct themselves appropriately especially when it is expected.
Jus wonderin who knows what hurts him/her pleases
another.
Jus wonderin who is like a fish out of water now
that de man gone.
Jus wonderin what these girls have in common.
Jus wonderin if this well known man is a real man
or a maniken.
Jus wonderin why not wear a skirt since he acts
like who wear them all de time.
Jus wonderin if every favor must have strings
attached.
Jus wonderin
Jus wonderin who or what really convice them that
a nine-seater will be in any way beneficial to Montserrat.
Jus wonderin who foolin who that Montserrat will
ever have more than one airport under the volcano and two others.
Jus wonderin how a 9-seater airstrip at Geralds
will improve in the minutest way the development of Montserrat.
Jus wonderin how quick me could get the British
citizenship.
Jus wonderin if I will have two passports when I
take British citizenship.
Jus wonderin I I will have to pay the high
departure rates in the other British islands.
Jus wonderin who could see that nothing objected
to even after two years still go the other way.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: editor@montserratreporter.org
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