Widespread destruction of plymouth from the latest pyroclastic flows
Picture courtesy of David Lea, used with permission
Montserratian's worst fears materialised in the early part of this week when pyroclastic flows and surges swept through Plymouth destroying everything in their path. The former capital is in smoking ruins with many buildings burned out or covered by volcanic debris.
Scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) had been warning for some weeks that such activity was imminent and that everyone should keep clear of Plymouth. A cyclic pattern of activity has become established, with swarms of hybrid earthquakes every 12 hours followed by small explosions within the hour. These explosive events start up pyroclastic flows in the Tar River Valley, Mosquito Ghaut, Tuitts Ghaut, the Gages Valley and on into Fort Ghaut.
It was the filled up Fort Ghaut that led to the destruction of Plymouth when major pyroclastic flows "jumped" the ghaut in the vicinity of Lovers Lane on Sunday afternoon and spread through Dagenham in a fan shape run off starting in front of the old M.S. Osborne's car showrooms. At the seaward end of the flows an area from Technical College to Wapping has been covered, with fires burning throughout the entire area.
Helicopter overflights have shown that the majority of Dagenham, George Street, Wapping and downtown Plymouth have been affected, with additional damage in Amersham, Jubilee Town and Ryners Village. Buildings listed as being damaged or burned include the Technical College, Police Headquarters, Government Headquarters, Radio Antilles, the Customs Building, the Port Authority, Capt. Weekes & Lillian's Supermarket, the Public Market, Celeste Fashion House, several churches and hundreds of houses.
During one of the over-flights an elderly un-named woman was spotted in the Groves area and she was eventually evacuated by sea by the police launch suffering from burns to her feet. It is not known how she gained entry to the exclusion zone.
Partial Evacuation of Central Zone
Meantime the increase in activity has caused authorities to clear the low lying areas of the Central Zone. On Monday night EOC and MVO officials took to the ZJB's airwaves to advise residents of Old Towne, Happy Hill, Dr Woods Road, Upper and Lower Friths to evacuate the areas. This followed reports that pyroclastic flow material had reached the upper reaches of the Belham Valley. In addition large size ballistics from the erupting volcano were falling in the zone. EOC officials later reported that about 150 persons from the zone had sought shelter space bringing the total number in shelter to the 1300 mark in a total of 44 buildings.
Police authorities have reported that residents have attempted to get into Plymouth to site-see the destruction and have warned that anyone found in the area will be arrested and charged.
A delegation from Montserrat, led by Chief Minister Bertrand Osborne, visited the UK over the past week to discuss with the British Government future assistance for the people of Montserrat following the tragic events since 25th June.
As part of HMG's response it was agreed that George Foulkes MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for International Development (DFID), would visit Montserrat from 31 August.
The delegation met Foreign Secretary Robin Cook, International Development Secretary Claire Short, and their Parliamentary Under-Secretaries George Foulkes and Baroness Symons and a host of others concerned with the crisis resulting from the volcanic eruption.
The British Government, through DFID, have already pledged 41 million pounds of aid including emergency assistance.
Her Majesty's Government have reaffirmed the UK's commitment to ensuring the viability of the North of the island for all those who wish to remain on or return to Montserrat.
Arrangements are being made to explain fully the options available to Montserratians, to enable informed choice.
The Delegation have also had extensive meetings with the DFID over the past three days to discuss in detail the immediate and longer term needs of Montserrat and its people.
The discussions included a detailed review of progress with the current emergency programme, including the provision of immediate housing for up to 1000 people in the first instance, the upgrading and repair of roads and maintenance of adequate external transportation links. Suggestions concerning improvements to the current programme would be speedily explored.
It was agreed that:
Pending a review of the present food voucher scheme, assistance for children and the unemployed should be doubled, backdated to 1st July 1997.
A pay review for public servants should proceed as soon as possible, and should be in effect by 15th October. They should receive immediately the equivalent of two months' salary as an advance on a pay increase, to ensure retention of vital services.
It was further agreed that these meetings constitute part of an ongoing consultative process.
A wide range of issues was presented to Her Majesty's Ministers including the Government of Montserrat's priorities for helping to revitalise the Montserrat economy, re-establishing a commercial air-link, alternative schemes that would facilitate the creation of adequate housing in the north, help for small businesses to re-establish themselves including related issues of land access, support for the indigenous financial sector, including the insurance issue, and assistance for those who lost possessions.
In response to the Delegation's request for a Limited Assisted Passage Scheme, HMG confirmed that it was already giving this matter urgent consideration.
George Foulkes informed the Delegation that these proposals would now be given careful consideration by DFID Ministers and a detailed response given as soon as possible, directly to the Chief Minister or by Mr. Foulkes in person when he visits the island at the end of August. This response would form part of the process of drawing up costed plans for the North of the island.
Baroness Symons and Mr. Foulkes reiterated the profound sympathies of HMG to those who have lost relatives and friends, those injured and those whose property has been destroyed by this awful natural disaster.
They emphasised that the Governments of the UK and Montserrat were working in partnership for the best interests of the Montserratian people, both those remaining and those who have been forced to flee the island. The visit had been an important part of that process.
The UK ministers expressed their admiration for the powerful, eloquent and responsible way in which Mr. Osborne and the delegation had made the case during their visit and promised that HMG would take full note of this in determining their response.
DESPERATE EFFORT TO SAVE HEALTH SERVICE
Amidst very strong rumors that there was to be an imminent nurses strike, Government moved last week to avert any industrial action by offering the nurses a package to alleviate some of their hardships.
Taking to the ZJB airwaves on Tuesday, Health Minister Mrs. Adelina Tuitt admitted she only heard about the nurse's grievances about a month ago when they complained to the Chief Minister about their lot. The Minister said: "Executive Council have approved an extra month's salary for nurses as compensation, leave will be granted to all nurses who have not been given any recently and a start is to be made on the housing for them shortly as land has been found for this purpose ."
Mrs. Tuitt made no mention of the fact that nurses had expressed no confidence in herself, her Permanent Secretary, John Skerrit, and the Director of Health Services, Mr. Ronnie Cooper.
It is well known that the nurses have been grumbling about the hierarchy of the Health Service claiming that the entire service was in disarray. It seems that much of the blame is being put on the shoulders of Dr. Cooper as he is considered by many nurses to spend too little time on the job and far too much time off island. One Guyanese nurse who broke her contract here to return home was heard to say before she left that she had always considered the Guyanese Health Service to be the worst in the world-until she came to Montserrat and saw for herself the state of things here.
Also high on the grievances list was the state of the St. John's Hospital and the poor working conditions there.
DO YOU WANT TO GET OUT FOR GOOD
London-Residents of Montserrat who have weathered two years of volcanic eruptions will be asked if they would like to get out for good, a government Minister said. Montserrat Officials will meet with British authorities on August 5 to examine proposals to take back to the people of Montserrat. George Foulkes, Minister for Overseas Development said "Effectively, the heart has been torn from the south of the island by the volcano." Nearly half of the British colony's 11,000 residents have left Montserrat since the Soufriere Hills volcano roared to life in July 1995 and began spewing ash and rock. On June 25, an eruption killed at least 10 people, according to government figures. Nine others are missing or feared dead. Infrastructure in the inhabited south of the island around the evacuated capital, Plymouth, has been damaged.
"Because the volcano has destroyed life on the island, we have a difficult decision to make," Foulkes said.
Foulkes said the government wanted islanders and their government to decide whether they wanted to stay on the island or leave en masse. More than 1,000 Montserratians live in crowded shelters on the north of the island. So far, the British Government has committed 37 million pounds (US$60 million) to Montserrat.
The Government will hire an opinion polling organisation to conduct interviews with the 5,000 islanders who remain on Montserrat, and the several thousand others who moved to Antigua, the US Virgin Islands and Jamaica. Montserratians will be asked whether they want to be re-housed on the island's northern coast with British and international aid or take assisted passage to other Caribbean islands or to Britain.
An initial geological survey shows that the volcano is likely to remain active in the near future. "It is an inexact science but it looks as if the southern part of the island will be out of action for at least five years," Foulkes said.
Foulkes said although Britain would help develop the largely barren north of the island, the two staple employers of Montserratians, a rice factory and the tourism industry, would be hard hit.
If the majority went away, it would be difficult to maintain an infrastructure," Foulkes said. "They have to decide whether they are able to make a go of it on the north of the island."
This article was published in the Trinidad Guardian Sunday July 27, 1997.
"Let's Give Thanks"
The grass root level regional response to the crisis in Montserrat has been overwhelming and we should give thanks to our Caribbean brothers and sisters. There has been an outpouring of love and affection for Montserratians in the crisis. This has been shown through telethons, radiothons, food collection points, donations of clothes and equipment, cash donations and offers of help to house Montserratian school children for the summer and even longer periods. The Montserrat Branch of the British Red Cross has been the conduit for much of this outpouring of affection and they have started to distribute to the aged and the needy amongst us. They are however, desperately short of hands to help in the distributing process, yet many of our young people are lazing around in the shelters playing dominoes and cards! Come everyone, if the rest of the Caribbean is taking time out to help us, surely we can help ourselves a little and give a hand for nothing. Too often these days a selfish attitude is creeping in where we will not do anything, but in times of crisis surely we can donate some of our time to help. Lets have a change in attitude and see the Red Cross turning people away, not because they have nothing to distribute, but because they have too many volunteers helping!. Christian Aid from the U.K. have now placed an officer here- a commendable move. He will assist the Montserrat Christian Council in their relief efforts and who better to ferret out the real needy in our community than our churches? They should have their ear to the ground and will really know who should benefit from the generosity of our neighbors. Lets hope that the aid is going to the right places and that some persons seen driving away from the Red Cross building with their yellow plastic bags are not hogging it all. There are needy amongst us all but some more needy than that other! So as we give thanks to our friends the length and breadth of the Caribbean let a few Christian principles prevail and let the real needy be looked after, after all that’s why the aid was given in the first place!
Sir,
Please permit me the space to express my feelings of the catastrophic episode which is occurring in the tiny Colony of Montserrat.
My heart yearns for the people of Montserrat, which is the island I left behind for the British Isles some 42 years ago. This island has been beset with pyroclastic flows, ash falls and volcanic "Blowouts" for the last 20 months. The effect this has had on the Southern, Eastern and Central parts [including Plymouth, the Capital] is that the villages have turned into Ghost Towns. They have not been lived in for months and the effect that this has had on the infrastructure of the island has been detrimental.
Scores of small businesses are no longer in existence. Hundreds of people have lost everything they have ever had. Thousands of people have been uprooted from these "No Go" areas to the rest of the island which is habitable. Many are living in sheltered accommodation. Families are cramped together, men, women and children alike. Some are living in churches, eating meals on gravestones. Sir, I am sure you [like me]find this abhorrent and unbelievable.
I watched a documentary on British Television and saw an old lady who came to the UK under the Evacuation Scheme. In order to survive she was forced to camp out in the cold and thus was deemed homeless. This is surely a sad state of affairs.
My heart goes out to these people. The constant threat of the volcanic eruption does not go away. These people need help in their hour of need.
I am sure this letter would go straight to the heart of the Government, which will be sympathetic to the people of Montserrat. Possible solutions could be:-
To implement a five year plan to replace the current two year one.
To declare a State of Emergency in all areas that are in the Volcanic path and these be declared Danger Zones.
Small Businesses be recompensed for what they have lost.
People who have lost their livelihood be paid sums to start again. Teams of British engineers be sent to the island to build roads and bridges in the North.
A new airport at Hell's Gate.
A new city at either Rendezvous or Blake's Estate as there are hundreds of acres of land laying dormant for many years in these parts.
A team of private investors to build factories for export all over the world.
The " Danger Zone" could become a tourist resort for North Americans and Europeans.
These are just a few ideas that could help these people who have left and dearly wish to return, and those that are still there. You may ask where the money would come from? The money can come from the private investors would come back to the British. This should be in conjuncture with the Secretariat in Montserrat, the Governor , the Montserrat Government and the Leader of the Opposition, and the Montserrat Parliament.
In closing I would ask that you most sympathetically print my plea so that hopefully, those in authority might be touched by my letter. Well after all, when the Falklands crisis occurred the government was there for those people. Weren't they?
J Locker Esq. - London
Dear Editor
A "housing and household related items voucher" in Montserrat at this time would enable all persons on island to return to homely living. Those persons who now have land in the north of the island would have money to enter them into home construction,whilst others can buy land, contribute to mortgages or build houses.
Mr. Editor, forced evacuation and exclusion zones are words which have been introduced into our vocabulary since June 25, 1997. A housing and household related items voucher would bring back many persons who were forced off or excluded from living on Montserrat.
Widen the food voucher system, to a housing and household related items voucher, to redress the in- balance of housing on Montserrat.
Alwyn Howsen
by Cleo Ponteen
Squatting in the corner on some turf
Wading through the horrors of life
In total darkness
In oblivion
Seems like I've got a million stories
In my head
Fact or fiction
Filled with a drumming of an insomnia song
Trapped in a world of no sense, rain and thunder
It's kind of like a movie
But we're all the stars
Lights, camera, everyone get in position and
ACTION!!!!
Hold up, wait a minute
My skin is all ashy
Could you please pass me some lotion?
I'm under water
In another world
I need a guiding light
As the world turns
For, I only have one life to live
I'm in the centre of the fire and
I'm cold
I'm afraid of this
Bright, hot, verging, red, fiend
Who's running the show
Aspiring to be higher
I guess
All that glitters ain't gold
Is this the same little flower
We fought to liberate?
I can't even buy a petal of it
Even if my credit was good
But like my old granny says
God works in mysterious ways
So let's make a toast
Here's to hoping and trusting
That God will protect us
Leading us in the path of eternal happiness
Seems like the fire
Has brought me wisdom
How about you?
If you think the systems working
Ask somebody who doesn't
Written by Cleo Ponteen
Chief Minister Bertrand Osborne said before leaving for the London talks, that the Limited Voluntary Redundancy (LVR) package is being re-examined.
The [LVR] was established two years ago to allow civil servants to resign from the service when they choose. Chief Minister Osborne said, "A hold has been placed on the number of civil servants wishing to take up the Voluntary Relocation Scheme to England."
Mr. Osborne also said that the freeze will remain in place until the review is done.
Teachers from Montserrat have joined their counterparts from across the Caribbean at the 28th Biennial Conference of the Caribbean Union of Teachers.
The meeting is currently taking place in Bermuda under the theme "Education in transition -A Challenge to Teacher's Trade Unions" The five day Conference is addressing mainly education reform. Discussions will focus on the harmonisation of OECS legislation on education and the free movement of skilled people and professionals in the region.
The situation in Montserrat, especially problems faced by teachers in the Montserrat Union of Teachers, will also feature prominently in the discussions.
Colin Riley, Hyacinth Browne, Calvin Riley and Ingrid Osborne are the Montserrat representatives at the meeting.
Canadian Assistance to Montserrat
The Canadian High Commission announced today that a grant of CDN$100,000.00 will be provided to the Government of Montserrat, to retrain dislocated small business operators and those now unemployed as a result of the volcanic activity of the Lang Soufriere volcano. This grant would assist with retraining in alternatives to traditional business ventures and to work in the existing economic climate.
This brings the total Canadian assistance to Montserrat to CDN$285,000.00, and is the third such grant since the volcanic emergency in 1995. The funds are being made available through the Canada fund for local initiatives programme that is administered by the Canadian High Commission in Barbados.
Following the arrival on island late last week of diesel and petrol, the storage tanks at Carr’s Bay are filled to capacity and in addition supplies of LPG cooking gas also arrived on island over last weekend.
The number of people who have relocated to Britain under the voluntary evacuation scheme now stands at 1405 with a further 180 persons confirmed to leave over the next few weeks. Since inception of the ferry service to/from Antigua the number of passengers has been 2093 to Antigua and 1000 from Antigua This includes children on holiday schemes overseas.
The passenger pavilion at the Little Bay Port is nearing completion and should open this coming weekend. It will provide check-in, immigration and customs facilities and a waiting room for passengers.
There is a current shortage of sand and aggregate because of the closure of the quarry as it is in the exclusion zone. In addition there is also a shortage of building blocks. The private sector has put into place the importation of these items and the shortages should soon be eliminated.
The OECS Science Activity was held in Kingstown Medical College in St. Vincent from July 18th - 26th, 1997. It took the form of an environmental Science Camp rather than the usual Science Fair. The theme for the camp was, "Preserve Nature To Save Mankind." Participants were drawn from Anguilla, Antigua, B.V.I, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Lucia, and St.Vincent and the Grenadines. Both Jamaica and Barbados were present as observers.
The eight days of camp were filled with numerous daytime activities which included an impressive flag raising opening ceremony, field trips to Bequia's Turtle Sanctuary and whale Museum, the St. Vincent Botanical Gardens, Archaeological Museum and Aviary, Vermont Nature Trails, Fort Charlotte, Kingstown's Industrial Site and the Ottley Hall Marina. During the evenings, the students were involved in lecture-discussions, a symposium, making journal entrees and a cultural concert.
The Montserrat contingent was led by Head of the Science Department (Ag) M.S.S and Steering Committee member for the OECS Science Activity Mrs Claudette Weekes. Participating students were Ronnie Cooper, Diane O'Garro, Carla Fergus, Shane Seargeant, Arlene Hodge, Jerome Jemmotte, Cheris Lewis, Angela Gerald and John Dyer. The chaperons were Mrs Hyacinth Bramble-Brown, Mrs Gertrude Shotte and Mr Selwn Aymer.
By far the Montserratians were the most popular group at the camp for everyone wanted to know about the volcano and how its activities impacted on the lives of the people. The Montserrat display corner at the Medical college attracted many viewers and this kept the students and chaperons busy answereing a plethora of questions about the Emerald now Volcanic Isle. On display were video and audio tapes, large photographs, charts, souvenirs, sample ash tiles, sulphur ointments among other things.
The most significant exercise for the group was the presentation of a paper at the symposium entitled "The State of my Country's Environment," by Arlene Hodge and angela Gerald. Slides, large photographs and overhead transparencies showing the risk map and E-W, N-S cross-sections of Montserrat were used to illustrate the text. Ronnie Cooper and Jerome Jemmotte competently operated the overhead and slide projectors respectively.
Montserrat's contribution to the night of cultural entertainment consisted of a poem, and a dance to the music of Arrow's song "One Day At A Time". But perhaps the most touching presentation was the rendition of the song "Away From Home". Many campers were moved to tears for the works were stirring, the voices harmonized nicely and the students were attractively attired. Many campers marveled at the fortitude, resolve and resilience of the performers.
May God be pleased to heal our land so that many more Montserratians may have a chance to represent their country with pride and dignity.
The Aid Management Office (A.M.O.) has recently revealed that over 30 million pounds have been consumed in approved projects in the past twelve months after a major review of it's project portfolio, the organisation was able to calculate funds consumed in promoting the "redevelopment and rehabilitation of the Montserrat economy through the development of the safe north of the island".
The list includes:
| Emergency housing Emergency Jetty at Little Bay Building Material Help Project Scientific monitoring of the volcano School building programme Food voucher programme Road improvements in the North Construction of new prison Budgetary aid to the Government of Montserrat Northern water supply In addition the following equipment has been ordered and funded by Britain: New hot mix plant Generating plant Bulldozer - D9 Mobile crane Hydraulic excavator |
£6.5M. £2.65M. £1.50M. £1.40M £1.42M. £1.20M £1.10M. £1.10M. £6.81M. £1M.
£880,000. £701,000. £250,000. £155,000. £115,000. |
The AMO is presently working with the Government of Montserrat on the development of several other major projects, and these will be shortly submitted to London for final approval.
It is expected that several of these projects will form the basis of the ongoing discussions in London between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of Montserrat.
Two experts from the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute
in St Lucia were on island earlier this week to examine the
problems associated with solid and liquid waste disposal. Dr
Ronnie Cooper, speaking on radio, said that Dr Sweeney and Dr
Singh from the institute looked at various sites in the northern
zone to determine which would be the best place to site a
disposal facility.
Dr Cooper pointed out that the site at Little Bay, currently being used, was posing health problems and that it was important to move it as soon as possible. "It is only temporary and we need to find a permanent site as soon as possible" added Dr Cooper.
Dr Sweeney and Dr Singh's report is expected shortly and it is hoped that work will then move quickly to open the new site and to clear the Little Bay site.
The West Indies Guard Ship HMS Liverpool returns to Montserrat later today for what is described as a "routine visit". Liverpool is always thought to be within 12 hours sailing distance of Montserrat during the current volcanic crisis.
It is reported that the ship has been taken part in anti-drug activities in the Windward Islands and that during her upcoming visit to Montserrat will help to photograph the extent of the damage to various parts of Montserrat due to the volcanic crisis.
Many home and property owners as well as Insurance Companies have been calling for a complete survey of damaged property on island. It is hoped that the ship's helicopters will fly a grid pattern over Montserrat to film still-shots of the damaged areas.
Earlier this week Cable TV attempted to show photographs of damaged property on Channel 5 but many residents had difficulty in interpreting them. It is hoped that HMS Liverpool's anti submarine capabilities can be utilised for the photo mission and later on the results will be available to the public.
by Tom Mowry
Salem Primary School Shelter
Approximately a year ago, the following was part of a letter I sent to my brother in answer to his encouragement that I should move away from Montserrat. In light of the present conditions and the current discussions regarding Montserrat and its people, I believe I should repeat my thoughts but in a format that might have greater distribution.
"When I retired and chose to move to Montserrat, I was making a commitment to myself and to Montserrat, that this was to be where I would live, my permanent home for my future. Therefore, my life and future is inextricably connected with the future of Montserrat. The future of Montserrat is my future.
In the past years, Montserrat has experienced hurricanes that arrive then depart leaving devastation behind. Water shortages come and go, temporarily making life uncomfortable. Now comes the volcano.
Hurricanes, water shortages, and volcanoes are acts of nature. Only God can determine their coming and going or what damage they might do. Man has no control over these acts of nature. Man can only deal with the effects of natural disasters.
After a hurricane leaves, all the people can do, what the people of Montserrat have done in the past, is pick themselves up, clean up, fix up, and get on with their lives as best they can while praying another hurricane does not come soon again. The people of Montserrat have demonstrated they have the strength, determination, and the patience to preserver.
However, the difference between a hurricane like Hugo and our volcano is that a hurricane is temporary. Such is not the case with the volcano, it has wakened and no one can know what it may do or when or if it might return to its former inactive state. It is with us and could be with us for God only knows how long.
3 times the people have relocated, twice they have returned to their homes, twice they have cleaned up the ash, and twice they have tried to resume their former lives. Even if it was determined tomorrow, that the unsafe zone could be reoccupied, could the businesses afford to move back? Do the people have the resources to return and resume their lives? What if there would have to be one more relocation and another and another after that? Could the people and business survive such dislocations over and over? However, with this third relocation, it seems clear, the people of Montserrat may not be able to return to the southern danger zones for months, possibly even years.
What has given the people of Montserrat the strength and courage to overcome disasters in the past? During these relocation's from where does their admirable patience and perseverance come from.
It is not monuments and buildings that make a country unique and different. It is not its green beauty nor its beaches that is Montserrat. It is the people and culture of Montserrat that makes it unique and different. It has been the people and culture of Montserrat that has made it possible for this island to survive and overcome disasters in the past.
The damage caused by the volcano is all about us. We deal with it every day, but I fear there is a greater devastation being caused by the volcano and that is the insidious destruction of the Montserratian culture. How long can the culture of Montserrat survive, with children attending school under tents, people who had been independent , contributing members of the society, having to take handouts of food, being forced to live in cramped group shelters, with no privacy or dignity?
I fear these conditions are causing the fabric of the Montserratian culture to begin to fall apart. If all the people can do is sit passively waiting for the next ash eruption or pyroclastic flow, their feelings of depression and hopelessness can only increase. Is it any wonder that families are being broken up? Fathers and mothers are being forced to leave their families to seek employment elsewhere. Children are being sent to family and friends so they can continue their education. The culture of Montserrat which has provided the foundation to overcome devastation in the past may be disappearing.
The question must be asked, just what is the future of Montserrat? Indeed, does Montserrat have a future?
What direction and goals for the future of Montserrat are being given the people? So far, I only hear encouragement for the people ( who have the funds to purchase airplane tickets) to fly to Great Britain where they may have to live on the dole for years, or move to another Caribbean island where they can live as intelopers. Quite simply these are solutions that will destroy Montserrat. They may destroy the independence of the Montserratian people and make them life long dependents of the handouts of others.
If these solutions are motivated by what would be the most economical, then why make any effort? It could be much more cheaply and simply accomplished by putting up a sign saying, "Would the last person leaving Montserrat please turn out the lights."
Is it believed that at some year in the future, when the volcano becomes inactive, the people of Montserrat can return and pick up their lives where they left off? If that is the belief, then that belief is fatuous. Years from now, if there was the attempt for the people to return and rebuild the facilities and economy of Montserrat, dear God what would be the cost? Certainly that would cost a great deal more than trying to maintain a viable Montserrat now! But worst of all, could the culture of Montserrat ever be rebuilt?
A large portion of the population appear to be determined to remain on Montserrat, come what may. This determination should be utilized. I believe that right now, if the people of Montserrat had some direction, some goal, such as developing a governmental, business and civic center, if they were provided the means to build homes, in the safe zone, it would be much more economical. I believe that if they were given the chance, the people have the strength to come together and succeed in saving themselves, their culture, and Montserrat. Unquestionably, to accomplish this there is the need for an immediate and massive infusion of materials and financial assistance. Possibly the provision of materials and financing can not be expected to come solely from Great Britain. It might be necessary for Great Britain to give permission for Montserrat to seek grants and assistance from other agencies and governments.
The question remains, what is the future of Montserrat? Does Montserrat have a future? Is it to be abandoned and the people of Montserrat are to become one more group of wondering unwanted refugees, or is the future of Montserrat to be once more for the people to have the opportunity to overcome this latest adversity and emerge even stronger?
Because the volcano has now become a killer, and the entire southern portion of the island has been abandoned, because people have reasonably become frightened, I believe their sense of hopelessness has grown, and entire families are leaving the island in droves. I fear that my concerns for Montserrat and its people, which I voiced so many months ago, are going to come true.
As a people, it is essential to the social ethos of Montserratians to have a "nice piece of land to put a house down." We take pride in our homes, and however long the time period, we insist on at least matching our neighbour in the size and beauty of the exterior of the house, if nothing else!
Now that we have lost most of the land area on Montserrat, what adjustments are necessary? Even before that, let us take a look at the safe zone! When we do, it seems that most of the land is unoccupied but how many houses can be accommodated within the densities of Olveston, Woodlands and the villages further north.
We do have enough land to house everyone including those who recently left, But what is being planned for the future? There is little to be heard of this. Instead we have constant discussions about the unavailability of land and nothing about the failure to look ahead at our future needs and our response to those needs. We must match our response to our needs with the availability of resources.
Sooner or later, Montserratians are going to have to get accustomed to living in apartments, so why not start now? Many of our people would be happy to get any type of apartment in exchange for life in the shelter. The program to build approximately EC$30 million of prefabricated houses seems very misguided, if not just simply fatuous!
This is in keeping with so many decisions taken on our behalf, many of which seem so confusing today.
We elected our representatives, expecting them to form a government only to find out the whole thing was tomfoolery, and that the Government is not really any government.
We thought we had a gas shortage and the cars were lining up from the Sweeny's gas station , sometimes all the way down to Davy Hill, only to get EC$30 worth of gas. The next day the same cars were lining up again! They introduced the automobile registration number to determine who gets gas on what days but still only $30.00 for each auto. That did not help, so they filled up the tanks for those who wanted that. And suddenly the lines disappeared. Now the question is whether there was a gas shortage or not. It seems that many Montserratians believe there was none. There is the feeling that some people enjoyed seeing us wait in lines for $30.00 worth of gas while in their fancy, expensive new vehicles they did not have to wait even one minute. All this is confusing in this day and age.
We find a similar confusion with this matter of land availability. The politicians and some top bureaucrats have been saying there is no land available in the north so the Government will have to acquire compulsorily. Quite a few people in Brades and elsewhere have been harassed and warned that they must sell their properties to the Government or they will be taken from them. But a white American Admiral is reported to have offered a little under 20 acres at Brades for sale and thought it had been purchased by the Government when they came back to him and said they want only one acre, at least initially. In other words, they did not want to spend the money to buy it all in one transaction.
With little effort, Angelo's found land in Brades, Victor's in Davy Hill and M. S. Osborne in Brades. The largest land owner in the North offered the Government approximately 200 acres to build a new town and told them they could have whatever other acreage they needed (for non-destructive purposes, of course).
The simple fact is that the Government of Montserrat has more land available to it than it can use, yet its Ministers and others have been telling our people that land is not available. It was not until last week that one of them finally admitted the truth.
Further to this confusion, when one thinks of those wooden boxes they have put up scarring our landscape, the shoddy and leaky bare bones school at Lookout, and the approximately EC $30 million prefabricated houses that are planned, initially without any input whatsoever from Montserratians, it is so difficult to comprehend. It seems that most Montserratians are trying to figure all these things out. Why are they trying so hard to confuse us!
Note: Dr Lee is a major landholder in the north of the island.
The cyclic pattern of activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano continued for most of the week. Swarms of hybrid earthquakes , indicating magma movement, were being recorded every 12 hours. Following these swarms an explosive eruption usually takes place within two to three hours with large ash clouds reaching heights of up to 30,000 feet.
Many areas also suffered from the fallout of pumice type material, the size of cricket balls in some areas. After the explosive eruptions there are usually large pyroclastic flows in the Tar River Valley, Tuitt's Ghaut, Mosquito Ghaut, the Gages Valley and Fort Ghaut.
Last weekend, pyroclastic flow material in Fort Ghaut overs-wept the banks of the ghaut and entered Dagenham and Plymouth. The material is extremely hot and everyone is being urged to keep clear. In addition, there has been genuine pyroclastic flow material in Fort Ghaut reaching as far as the Molyneaux area. This led to the evacuation of low lying areas of the Central Zone.
Some views of the dome were obtained during the week and it is clear that a large V shaped crater has been blasted out of the dome top, most of the pyroclastic flow material is thought to be coming from this area. It was also noticed that the Cable & Wireless towers on Chances Peak have disappeared and some damage has been waged on MVO equipment on the peak.
Yesterday (Thursday) an explosive event occurred in the evening without any hybrid swarm and this is worrying scientists at the MVO as this is showing that there is some instability of the dome.
The scientists feel that this is the highest level of activity ever demonstrated by the volcano and that everyone needs to be vigilant and keep tuned to local radio for updates.
The siren system now in operation is that if a continuous siren is heard, this means everyone should get out of low lying areas of the Central Zone and when the wailing siren is heard, this means "all clear". Residents are urged to stay indoors during the explosive eruptions and keep clear of glass windows in case of breaking glass. During clean up and ashy periods everyone should wear their masks.
by Bennette Roach
It was just under two years ago when the first big ash-fall darkened the skies over Plymouth, forcing the first major evacuation therefrom.
I was not in Montserrat then and continued to miss many of the major events but not on September 17, 1996 and June 25, 1997. Now it is August again and I am missing the worst events to date. So it is that since Thursday last week that the volcano moved into a new phase when the long expected devastation of Plymouth began. For those who have followed the Scientists reports and explanations, they would argue that although it was for some weeks, a major event was expected on the Eastern side of the dome, when it arrived it was fatal for too many. Now, only those who kept saying, "if and when" we return to Plymouth, must be shocked at the latest development.
Since December last year when Scientists pointed out to me the movements and activities of the volcano and the dome, I reported that Plymouth would be surely in danger (December 1995).
It is sad that so many lost their lives and many more their property and possessions. It is unfortunate each loss, because I maintain that the management of this crisis can now see just how miserably they have failed Montserrat. Ultimately, they are to be blamed and it is still up to them to do the things that can give some semblance of what could have been.
Just this week, I received a message from Montserrat from someone who had their heart in the crisis and were dealing positively with it. The person said, "we have failed our people miserably".
It is almost pointless to rehash my many pleas to begin the process of planning Montserrat's future, but now that Plymouth is no longer, there perhaps will be more seriousness.
Hopefully, Government will be prepared to compensate all those businesses and families for the loss of possessions, equipment and merchandise but which, with a little initiative, understanding and foresight could now have been stored and secured in the safe northern zone.
There are those of us who sought assistance, receiving a flat 'NO' whenever British officials thought that help was unnecessary. When I first expressed this idea some months ago, it was not too late, but like everything else in this crisis, only saving lives was important, even this was bungled.
I cannot mention that housing was also considered insignificant and this has been a tragedy for the island and for many persons.
It must be noted that although over £40M have been spent in connection with the Montserrat crisis, much of it has been used and paid from other sources such as that allocated for housing. This situation has been the sole cause for people eventually fleeing Montserrat. Further study of the list of projects shown on page 10 shows that projects which were approved by Britain reveal how little activity has taken place.
The Chief Minister and his delegation to England must not return to Montserrat with smiles and promises of approved funding and more promises. What they will find at home is that those things which they are now receiving is too little and too late.
The meat of the crisis is upon us and after two years we are far from ready and the people of Montserrat, unfamiliar with the undertakings and what to expect. I cannot help recalling the many comments and inferences from the Governor and Government British officials and others too, that the Government needs to be more aggressive. These have not gone unnoticed. The times we've spent whispering over the slowness of the British government response could have been spent moving gears into action.
CARICOM Governments promised heavy equipment over six weeks ago; Generators for MONLEC, funding for the NDF to assist small businesses, yet where is it? We have been promised local television services so that people could get closer to the volcano in safety and get a better understanding of its actions, again where is it?
Having said all this, is it now too late? Is the time ripe to evacuate the island completely? Is the volcano going to be the final ally of an inactive Government, a docile, trampled and uninvolved people? With its record of pledges and stallings, has the British Government now set the stage for a final evacuation?
Leeward Island Youth Team Selected
Following the Leeward Island's youth training camp in Anguilla, the L.I. Board have announced the team to play in the Nortel Youth competition in Guyana later this month.
The full team is Sylvester Joseph ( Captain), Bertel Baltimore, Jason Christopher, Kerry Jeremy, Branko Payne, Amwaa Prince, Daniel Thomas, Marlon Martin, Runako Morton, St. Claire Challenger, McPherson Meade, Zhuan Sweeney, Elsroy Powell and Tyrone Greenaway, (Vice Captain).
The Leeward Island's youth left Antigua on August 6 for the tournament which will be held in Guyana August 9 to 28.
Manager of the team Montserratian Lowell Mason, is pleased with the make-up of the 1997 team and feels it will do well in the tournament.
In related news, a personal development seminar will be held following the Guyana tournament for youth players. According to the West Indies Cricket Board a squad of 15 players will be chosen to participate in the seminar. The seminar will be held from September 1.
Jus wonderin if the ZJB Manager is too worried about the volcano?
Jus wonderin why the Chief Minister's Office did not have a fall back position?
Jus wonderin if the ex Chief Minister is getting the right pension?
Jus wonderin, why everytime Archie acts as Governor, something happens?
Jus wonderin, why the GIS man can't get access to ZJB?
Jus wonderin, what the delegation did in England?
Jus wonderin, why the Independant Member is Acting Chief Minister and not the Fashion Queen?
Jus wonderin, who writes the EOC Today?
Jus wonderin, why Arrow is the King of Oswego?
Jus wonderin, who is representing Montserrat at the World Games?
Jus wonderin, who is the Vue Pointe's only guest and where does he park his chopper?
Jus wonderin, where Twistie has gone to?
Jus wonderin, why the Navy ship is here today?
Jus wonderin, where the Editor has disappeared to?
Jus wonderin, why the Chief Scientist is looking exhausted?
Jus wonderin, why the Chief Acting man is so unpopular?
Jus wonderin, why the CARDI man turned Christian?
Jus wonderin, why the Hero loss his fingernails every time the volcano erupts?
Jus wonderin, why the Cricket coach is keeping a low profile?
Jus wonderin if pink mealy bug comes in as part of aid.
Jus wonderin if H.E's new assistant is volcano proof!
Jus wonderin, who gets the hard hats?
Jus wonderin, who decided that $80 can really serve a child for a month?
Jus wonderin if the Fashion Queen is running the helicopter service!
We have compiled a pictorial of some of the damage caused by the deadly pyroclastic flows of June 25th.
Persons interested in employment as:
are asked to contact the Labour Department during working hours 8am-4pm to register at tel: 491-4010
House Plot in Olveston
10,890 sq.ft.
Contact:664-491-2283 - For more information
Prime Lots for sale
Palm Loop:
Woodlands:
Olveston:
West Indies Real Estate
Paula Dutcher Tel: (664) 491-8666
Up to 10 persons from Montserrat who wish to relocate to Nevis can be accommodated. Housing and assistance with meals will be also be provided. Interested persons should prepare to travel by August 31, 1997. Arrangements can be made for persons who cannot afford to purchase airlines tickets to travel aboard the vessel MV Carib Queen.
Interested persons should contact: Mrs Frances Allen-Williams at telephone number: 1-869-469-1805 Monday thru Friday between the hours of 8:30am - 4:30pm.
Also a vacancy exists for a 60 year old plus female for a live companion in Nevis. Call 1-869-469-1805 for more information
To all customers of Barclays Bank Montserrat
We are aware that a number of our customers have relocated to be neighbouring islands as a result of ongoing activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano in Montserrat.
Any customer wishing to operate their account may do so by calling at any branch of Barclays Bank PLC in the Caribbean.
Customers will be required to produce identification and proof of account.
Barclays stands committed to providing quality service at all times to its Montserrat customers.
The Bank of Montserrat Ltd. will be offering for sale and will accept written tenders for the following:-
1 1995 Hyundai Accent - R2255
Conditions of Sale:
Please call Ms. Bernadette Mathew to arrange an appointment to examine the vehicle.
MV Freda W.
With all machinery including main engine 405 H. P.
Rebuilt new March 1996.
Class Bureau - Excellent condition.
3 generators, all Lister Blackstone engines.
Speed 10.5- 11 knots.
Port of Registry, London, England.
Gross tonnage 428.
Dead weight 600.
Crew quarters, kitchen and storage rebuilt new.
Includes: 15 ton telescopic crane Mac Gregor, hatch covers, 2 hatches - I hole.
Fax. 664 - 491 - 3010. Great Western Shipping Co. Ltd. PO Box 56, Plymouth Montserrat.Negotiable - asking price US $400.000
Present trading-Caribbean.
Caribbean Cove
Question: Are you ready for an action-packed, exciting career with the newest attraction in the islands?
Answer: Caribbean Cove is seeking qualified applicants for the position of: Kitchen Manager/Chef
Candidates should be able to work flexible hours and have the following qualifications:
Responsibilities:
Interested persons should submit Letter of Application and Resume to:
Global Marketing Enterprises Limited P.O.Box 476 Charlestown, NevisThe Registered Land Ordinance, 1978
(Section 135)
Claims to ownership of lands have been received from the persons listed in the Schedule below.
Any objections to these claims must be lodged in writing to the Land Registry, Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat within six weeks of the first publication of this notice.
Schedule
Edith Rose Morgan Parcel 168, Block 13/12. Land at Baker Hill. Bounded as follows:- On the North by parcel 13/12/169 (unclaimed). On the East by parcel 13/12/112 (Thomas Baker). On the South by parcel 13/12/66 (Philip Emanuel Baker). On the West by parcel 13/12/169 (unclaimed).
Agnes Farrell Parcel 20, Block 15/9. Land at Drummonds. Bounded as follows:- On the North by parcel 15/7/24 (unclaimed). On the East by parcel 15/7/24 (unclaimed). On the South by parcel 15/9/21 (Susannah Dee). On the West by parcel 15/7/24 (unclaimed).
Stephen Greenaway Parcel 104, Block 14/4. Land at Carr's Bay. Bounded as follows:- On the North by Public Road. On the East by parcel 14/4/63 (Henry Greenaway). On the South by parcels 14/4/102 (unclaimed) and 14/4/105 (Sarah Smith). On the West by parcel 14/4/100 (Getrude Spencer, Verna White et al).
John Abraham Weekes Parcel 48, Block 13/22. Land at Forgarty. Bounded as follows:- On the North by parcels 13/6/7 (Doris Sweeney and Margaret Payne) and 13/17/84 (unclaimed). On the East by parcel 13/17/84 (unclaimed). On the South by parcel 13/17/84 (unclaimed). On the West by the parcel 13/17/84 (unclaimed) and Public Road.
Edith V. Reddock
Registrar of Lands (Ag.)
Dated this 7th day of August 1997
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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