The Verdict: An Airport Only At Thatch Valley
By Bennette Roach
It turned out to be a big week in Montserrat this week. Firstly there was the Social Survey Review which saw the participation of a big cross-section of the community attending. Then for four days, Monday through Thursday, there was an ongoing exhibition and nightly consultations on four options of the location of an airport in Montserrat.
DFID and GIBB consultants may be surprised at the response to the consultation, which witnessed the participation of members of government, the public and private sectors, technocrats and others, again a good cross section of individuals.
The consultants held exhibitions of the options during the day and in the night made a presentation hosted by the Ministry of Communications and Works. On the first two nights both honourable Ministers Rupert Weekes and Austin Bramble made brief presentations of their views on the airport matter. The consultants then gave their explanation of the options, which, they repeatedly explained, were prepared by other consultants and given to them to do the necessary feasibility studies.
On each occasion they described the options, including a fourth, which was the redevelopment of W.H. Bramble airport.
Brochures which matched the information posted at the front of the room were passed out to the audience each night. The consultants did not just explain the options but the presentation showed the obvious bias and leaning to firstly, a 600-metre runway and the redevelopment or return to W.H. Bramble. W.H. Bramble was presented as the only runway with 'future jet runway' capability. It showed that to use W.H. Bramble airport in conjunction with a 600-metre runway at Geralds would cost £7million.
The project evaluation costs as presented show for an airport in Thatch Valley, Blakes and Geralds as follows: EC$383million, EC$106million, and EC$98million respectively.
Mr. Austin Bramble, in addition to saying that he is encouraging every Montserratian to say that Thatch Valley must be the only option said also "I have said it more than once and I’m going to say it again and I would like somebody to tell me where I’m going wrong. . I would like the consultants to address the points I make.
"Bramble (airport) is located at the end of the gauge straight under the volcano, but we have seen what has happened. The air traffic controllers and passengers had to run from Bramble on June 25 when the pyroclastic flows came down and did their damage.
"Professor Wadge came in and they did an analysis of the Montserrat situation. He became famous after the volcano had erupted and after millions and millions of pounds had been spent by HMG in Plymouth building offices from which eventually we had to run. My understanding is and you have to correct me if I’m wrong, that had Wadge's recommendations been fully understood and responded to we may not have had such severe losses as a result of valuable aid dollars being spent to erect all of those beautiful buildings in Plymouth.
"Now I cannot understand and at this point in time I am saying it is absurd, it is ludicrous for anybody to suggest that we should go and spend millions of pounds to go back to that. Yes, I think we can sweep the strip off and touch down on it. Use it once it's clear no activity in the mountain, no rainfall with potential mudflow coming out, but when it comes to millions of pounds to establish Bramble as the long-term option for Montserrat to take Dash Eight Aircraft, that to me is nonsense."
The minister said that at this time we need something to give confidence to people that Montserrat is back, to send signals to boost the morale of the people of Montserrat and to build interest in Montserrat. "Instead of that, to consider a 600-metre runway at Geralds will be money wasted. Even a 1,100-metre at Geralds will be no more than what we had at Bramble. LIAT is the organisation which has the experience, the connections and is the logical operator to service Montserrat and they operate only Dash 8s.
"There are thousands of Montserratians ready to return to Montserrat.
What happens now has to be done right."
Throughout the consultations, there were many questions, comments and suggestions, all pointing to a resounding 'No' to facilities at Geralds, Blakes and to any improvements to W. H. Bramble. Thatch Valley was the site of choice.
As the discussions developed, the consultants agreed with many of the points expressed, which show that the projected costs for that option have been overstated. They conceded that considering the environmental impacts of that area did not allow for cheaper methods to be estimated in coming up with final figures in the study. There were arguments discounting their figures involved in the Geralds and Blakes options, which suggested that the costs and time factors were over stated.
There were also discussions, on the safety factors, social impacts, economic and human impacts, which for the most part disagreed with or highlighted weaknesses of the consultants' report.
Another big factor on the final feasibility report was the consultants agreeing that the projected figures used in reaching their financial and economic determinations, if changed dramatically as they have already, would make their report outdated. An example being, in working out their economic rates of return, the whole study was on the best scenario which puts the population at the year 2018 to 10,000 with 4,000 at the end of year 2000. It was pointed out that the population is presently well beyond that, but the consultants reminded its audience that their study began as far back as 10 months ago.
Another factor they had to contend with and concede to was the fact that scientists have said that they projected a 25 percent chance a recurrence of the volcano could take place again in 30 years time impacting on any extensions to the Bramble runway.
Questionnaires were handed out at the end of each evening's consultation. These they said would be used in determining the people's choice option, which clearly from the condemnation of all other options but Thatch Valley would leave no doubt as to the answers to the questionnaire.
In fact the consultants on the last evening said that the questionnaires they have looked at so far suggest overwhelmingly the Thatch Valley choice, as did the survey held back in November last year.
Legislators John Osborne and Brunel Meade put in an appearance and shared their condemnation of all the other choices in favour of Thatch Valley.
Chief Minister Brandt, discounting that he is Chief Minister 24 hours a day, said at the last consultation that he was there as a Montserratian. He took the consultants to task, court room-style, on the issue of their term of reference with regards submitting their opinion on a preferred site. It took some given their opinion on a preferred site and were not required to do so after the consultation. They ran into trouble when they claimed this was not part of their term of reference.
On Friday, Minister Weekes held a press conference where he confirmed that should the British Government refuse to honour what DFID through the consultants said, that it is up to the Montserrat public to decide which option they prefer, they will be prepared to say NO to anything else. Weekes expressed that at this point, consultants should be asked to prepare new figures from actual surveys of the Thatch Valley site, which from the consultations would show lower costs for the airport project.
However, even though many persons didn't understand the reason for it, the brochure listed the total amount of donor funds available to Montserrat for the next three years as £85-90 million. It will be remembered, of course, that Governor Abbott had stated that each and every project including an airport would have to be taken from the £75 that DFID had proposed for the next three years.
Return to Salem Still Is Hurry Up and Wait
by Bennette Roach
Long-awaited news of reoccupation of Salem burst on the scene yesterday afternoon .
On August 16 last year, residents of Salem, Old Towne and parts of Olveston were advised that they would have to relocate to areas north of Nantes River.
This triggered a mass exodus of persons to outside Montserrat. Lack of accommodation in the north and deplorable conditions in the already crammed shelters spearheaded the decisions. Also contributing to this exodus was the growing mistrust of both government and scientific advice as residents of Salem had been led to believe that their communities were safe from the most serious hazards of the volcano.
As a result, several evacuated businesses that had set up shop in those areas and a number of already displaced Montserratians, using limited resources, had built or rented homes. Some to the businesses were forced to close permanently, while others reluctantly relocated further north.
With the shutdown of Salem and surrounding areas, the suspicions of "forced" evacuation grew stronger as HMG moved into high gear their support and accommodation for voluntary evacuation.
Not long after, based on scientific advice, the new central zone between Nantes River and Lawyers Ghaut was being considered unsafe for night-time occupation and Governor Abbott launched a campaign suggesting that businesses and residents leave the zone. Very few responded; even the Governor’s office and some other government offices remained in place. Some diehards resisted any efforts of relocation, which would undoubtedly have crippled our existence on Montserrat and which many believed was the ultimate intent..
On Monday, August 10, 1998, at a joint press conference with the Chief Minister and scientists, the Governor announced his interpretations of the findings of the most recent Scientific Hazards Assessment, a report dated 29th July, 1998.
People having heard and seen briefs of the said report were easily disappointed when they eventually realised that the Governor had not said that it was safe to reoccupy Salem. He had announced that they would intensify the ash cleanup of Salem and Old Towne, which had begun earlier with a view for future re-occupation.
Nevertheless, many people quietly returned to occupy their homes in anticipation of a quick announcement to the effect. Yesterday, September 10, such an announcement was prompted by parliamentary representative for Salem, the Honourable Reuben Meade, who had been leading the resistance against leaving Salem because of the poor options of relocation. In a paid broadcast on Radio ZJB, he stated that scientific advice indicated that it was safe to return to Salem. He said: "We have waited too long for this to happen and are now demanding that a clear date be set. I am proposing that Salem and its environs be reopened no later than September 20, 1998."
Meade went on to show what he thought such a move will require and mean to the island, including, "…it will show the world that we are back. We are rebuilding our economy and not just waiting on handouts."
After citing other benefits, such as easing the cramped conditions under which some people exist in the north, the playing fields for cricket, soccer and basketball, he spoke briefly on the issue of using W. H. Bramble airport temporarily, but without the huge costs suggested, while another appropriate facility is being built.
He then called on the "Governor and his Government to make a definite statement on the date for reopening Salem," suggesting 20th September. "If not we the people will take the appropriate steps to have the area opened officially – even if it is by us," he said, closing the matter by saying that the scientists have given the clear along time ago, inviting one and all to a grand reopening of Salem on the weekend following the 20th September at the Salem Centre.
It was later discovered that the statement was banned from further broadcast, but shortly after that announcement, Government House issued the following release:
"At a meeting on 10th September, Executive Council decided to set 30th September as the date on which, subject to medical advice, it would aim to allow the re-occupation of those areas north of Belham Valley, which are currently within the exclusion zone."
Executive Council was meeting at the time of the broadcast, but it is believed that the matter was slated for discussion. Taken in its full context, this statement still does not clear people for return. If the ash testing does not satisfy its interpreters, then the announcement may yet be withheld. In any case, if even the ash testing proves okay, it would only "aim to allow the re-occupation".
Meanwhile, however, the release was more than warmly accepted by residents. It is widely believed, even expected, that the re-occupation of Salem would see the return of many to the island, including expats, a few of whom had occupied their homes in Old Towne even before now.
"A Make-Do Airport Won't Sustain or Develop Montserrat's Future"
If one were to study carefully the Feasibility Study produced by the GIBB Consultants, they would probably understand why DFID, with their local knowledge of the facts and the information that rapidly unfolds before them day after day, sought to have someone help Montserratians to see what their best option would be for the location of an airport in Montserrat.
Any other purpose for the consultation would be a serious insult to the intelligence of Montserratians and a serious deception with a view to getting them to accept an airport at a location known to be misplaced and useless to the future of Montserrat.
It was pleasing to note that a few local technocrats, although not armed with information from the study itself, grasped enough as the consultation developed to participate and offer their knowledge and expertise. What was disappointing, however, is that many within the civil service had not seen this study, which had been circulated. That highlights a problem that must be corrected very quickly, where studies and information gather dust instead of being circulated and passed on.
The study obviously attempted to direct people's choice to the Geralds option -- the others being Blakes, Thatch Valley -- with a 600-metre runway and the later return to W.H. Bramble airport. It also showed that the only sensible option -- apart from its huge estimated costs -- is Thatch Valley. The study itself is obviously flawed in many areas, most serious being that much of the information used in the projections and for reaching conclusions is already quite outdated.
Last week we cited a sentence from the study, repeated here for emphasis, since it was agreed that much of the resulting information provided was based on this. "The Government predicts that the population will return to its pre-volcano level of approximately 10,000 by the year 2008. It is considered that this projection is optimistic. It is felt that the probable projection would be 7,000 in the next 10 to 20 years. The pessimistic population projection is around 4,000 during the next 10 years."
The population is now well above 4,000 and growing daily. When tourist arrivals from begin to become meaningful again, the projections in the study will be blown to smithereens, particularly if we get not a 600-metre runway airport, but one which will be able to handle serious tourist arrivals.
Also, the guesstimates used in the Thatch Valley option predictably provided the most expensive results. The consultants conceded that using other factors, such as subordinating worry about bats, fishes and reefs to the serious social and environmental impacts that would be inflicted on humans at Geralds, Lookout and St. John's, could produce different results. It is inconceivable that the consultants advised that they relied on a charter service plans that didn't have the necessary aircraft to service Montserrat adequately even with a 600-metre runway rather than LIAT.
It was also discovered that the costs as mentioned for the Blakes and Geralds options could have been understated, as well as the time it would take for a runway to be completed, even though the study mentioned only the construction time. The option for the use of Bramble's, especially where it involved extending it in the future, is ruled out when scientific information and projections are added to the many other considerations.
After this consultation, the only option left is for more serious study of the popular Thatch Valley site, which will substantially reduce the project evaluation cost presently shown to be EC$393 million. This option, it was also shown, is the only one that allows for any real future extensions.
The point made by the ministers of government must be taken very seriously. This is that it makes no sense to become involved in any makeshift airports with the hope of getting serious 10-15 years from now. Build one now that will last for generations. There is the point also that the British Government is obviously concerned about the finance, but the one-time expenditure, spread over three to four years, is less than two percent of the £2 billion DFID has budgeted in one year for international aid.
Is it because there is not a God, in the island Montserrat, why hidden injustice seems to be on the rise. Repeatedly the Lord God, has been speaking to the people of Montserrat, and the people in Montserrat, by the HIS DIVINE CHASTENING. But yet the people in authority, are using their whips against the poor, and are not able to discern the spirit of God, in the people that they themselves are afflicting.
It is a sad case, when authorities allow themselves to be, so blind that they are not able to discern between their right hand, and their left. Such is the case here now.
A few weeks ago, I was confronted by a few people in St. Maarten, about their trying to locate jobs in Montserrat.
They said to me, someone show us you, as you pass and mentioned, that you are from Montserrat, so I said yes, Iam from Montserrat. They said what are you doing in St. Maarten? A man with your professions, I felt bad. I felt as if I had been hiding the fact that, that I am from Montserrat, which is not true.
However one of the young men, took out his pocket book and showed me where, our Chief Minister, the Honorable David Brandt in a speech in St. Maarten gave an open request for neighbouring islands to come to Montserrat to assist in rebuilding our island Montserrat. I can not say no. So I said to them should have been in a position to tell you how to go bout it, but I personally don’t know. Now a young man from St. Kitts parsing by heard what was said to me, and he answered. He said my group that I work with, went up there and some of them had drugs, so they were held. But what you need is a health Certificate from the doctor, and a valid police report and some money in your pockets and you are safe. See here I just got mine.
I don’t know what to do, or what to say. So I went my way. And here I am three weeks later called to represent some people.
Had I been granted the chance even to see them maybe I would know them, because I worked as a builder, plumber, and electrician in St. Maarten so I am well known. What I’m saying is this, Montserratians are all over the world now. And doors have been opened to them whether good or bad and if bad then come home.
We then should not deny that rights of others even to at least see what was done during the volcanic activity here. Since health papers and police record and money qualifies one to enter the country and the country and these have their health paper their police record, and their money. They as Human Beings should have been granted the opportunity to see around the island. I am not the one who tell them come I just stand by to help them if I can. At least time should have been worked out for them, by the immigration department.
They did not come in and illegally try to flout our laws, they paid their way and obtained the prescribed documents.
And if the Lord God, should answer from heaven, he will tell you who did that inhuman act, that you are wrong.
Our laws were not infringed.
By same infidelity was this act put together and I am saying to the instigator, that righteousness exalteth a nation. But sin is reproach to any people. Pro 14:34
If the lord is seek according to Zeph 2:3
Then Zeph 3:8 is expected. If not then Zeph 1:10 shall be even as it is told. Surely the Lord God will do nothing but he revealeth his secrets unto his servants the prophets.
Relton Llewelyn Williams
Artificial Reefs Are Watery Dump Sites
The following, sent to The Reporter for publication, is a copy of a letter to HE Governor Anthony Abbott.
Dear Sir:
Thank you for your response to my letter regarding the dumping of derelict cars into the sea.
You explained to me that the current project will be a repeat of the so-called artificial reef project of 1981 and 1982. You further stated that the original project was successful and therefore the new project will be beneficial to Montserrat.
As you may know, my wife and I have managed the Sea Wolf Diving School in Montserrat since 1992. During this time we have conducted many thousand dives in Montserrat’s waters. Several of these dives had been at the site of the so called artificial reef. These latter dives have been some of the most depressing dives we ever did. The last dive we did at the artificial reef site was in 1996. At that time, 14 years after the cars had been dumped, piles of rusty remnants of the dumped cars could be found separated by vast areas of sandy bottom. Nothing was left of the bodies of the dumped cars. There was very little marine growth on these metal pieces. Some sponges and soft corals (octocorallia) grew on rubber tires and plastic covered steering wheels. There were no corals of the subclass hexacorallia.
The latter include the hard coral species that are capable of building coral reefs. Without them, there is no coral reef. Thus, the so called artificial reef project cannot be called a success. The tape you mentioned in your letter will certainly not replace our own observations.
Furthermore we also found several piles of galvanized roofing material and piles of old ceramic tiles. In other words we where looking at a real subaquatic rubbish dump.
The idea to build artificial reefs from discarded items of human civilization was very popular a couple of decades ago. In the meantime the general perception has changed.
Most experts doubt that artificial reefs have merit. The federal government of the U.S.A. has stopped all funding for these projects. While some items like sunken ships, airplanes etc. are attractive to some divers, especially in environments that do not offer much other excitement, old rusty cars dumped into the shelf of a Caribbean island are repulsive. As the thin metal of car bodies rusts away, the plastic components become mobilized. They will turn up on our beaches. While diving in the Foxes Bay area before the volcanic crisis, we encountered such debris regularly in the near-shore reefs.
Tourism will be a major source of income in the future of Montserrat. Ecotourism and divers will constitute a major segment of the tourist market; we will have to compete for with the other islands. If Montserrat is known as a place where garbage is dumped into the sea, our ability to compete will suffer. The loss in future income may be a multiple of the short term benefit derived from removing the derelict cars from the road sides and dumping them into the sea to keep them out of sight. This solution will augment our problems.
I urge you again to do everything in your power to prevent the act of environmental vandalism of dumping car wrecks into the sea. It would suit the government of Montserrat much better if a sound solution of the garbage problem could be realized.
Yours sincerely
Dr. Wolf Krebs
Geralds Park Suit Still News to Many
Chief Minster Brandt in his capacity as acting Minister for Education, Health and Culture visited the Geralds Park area, on Thursday, September 10, 1998.
This area has made headlines on several occasions, the most recent being the subject of civil action brought in the high court on behalf of its residents since 1996.
On 24th August, 1998, Warren Cassell, a young law student, filed a writ in the High Court seeking a declaration that residents of this area had been subject to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, that it cease immediately, and for damages in respect of the infringements of these rights.
The Reporter has received many calls questioning the accuracy of these reports, since they have not heard this reported on local radio station, Radio Montserrat. Management of the radio station has refused comment on reasons why the matter has not been reported, saying that it is a complicated matter.
Mr. Brandt during his visit spoke to several of the residents there. He told them that he was pained to see the deplorable and depressing conditions in which they were living and that the Government of Montserrat will do all in its power to remedy the situation.
Comments have suggested that this action is a little too late and that it was a direct result of the action that was taken in the law suit. Chief Minister Brandt, responding to accusations of hypocrisy in this issue, says that his government has been working on the problems for some time and that his visit was intended to inform the people there of government's intention to deal with their situation.
He promised that the Ministry of Agriculture has been mandated to find land to relocate the people from Geralds Park to more healthy and comfortable living accommodation.
The Chief Minister also denies that he has placed any restraints on the radio station from reporting the Geralds matter to the public, notwithstanding that the station falls directly under the Chief Minister's office.
Consulting Workshop Weighs Social Welfare
A team of consultants from Price Water House regional and UK offices are presently in Montserrat carrying out a total review of our Social Welfare Schemes.
On Monday and Tuesday this week the team conducted a two-phase workshop at McChesneys with approximately 35 persons in attendance.
The first phase, conducted on 7th September, focused around understanding the broad-based issues that face Montserrat from a national development perspective. This involved understanding where Montserrat is today, where it is endeavouring to be in the future, and, in broad terms, how it is going to get there.
The second phase of the workshop concentrated solely on identifying the issues that face the Social Welfare system.
Further workshops are planned for the future and would concentrate on these issues. Also the consultants will have several one-on-one interviews of various individuals in the community; and desk reviews of previous reports.
It is the view of the consultants that "a new vision of community is being developed (in Montserrat), raising the opportunity to seize the moment and take advantage of all the new interest in Montserrat, internationally, regionally, locally, and make it work for the development of Montserrat."
"…We think it is a huge opportunity for people to achieve a great deal. But clearly they must avoid the trap of becoming too busy, losing morale and losing focus due to the emergency…"
"…there needs to be that partnership that would help Montserratians to develop all those plans. There needs to be a link, there needs to be that inter-connection , there needs to be a constant relationship, people supporting each other. Whether it's the Government of Montserrat or the British Government,
the citizens of Montserrat in general, Public Service, elected political officials, teachers, churches and GO’s, that team has to realize that they need that partnership to support each other and to survive through
these changes," Susan Granger-Tyler, one of the consultants declared.
The four Price Water House consultants presently here with the survey are: Mr. Ken Thompson, a Social Security specialist and independent consultant; Mr. Dion RamCharter, Managing Director of the Management Business of Price Water House in Trinidad; Ms Helen Bailey of PWH, London, Social Work specialist, and Ms. Susan Granger-Tyler of Trinidad, specialising in Social Policy economic planning in developing countries , working with PWH.
Both His Excellency the Governor and the Honourable Chief Minister made opening addresses at the start of the two-day workshop.
Local Enrolments In UWI Are Higher
Local resident tutor Dr. Howard Fergus said this week that the School of Continuing Studies began the new academic year on Monday, 7th September with very encouraging enrolments.
"The interest in education on the part of young adults is remarkable," the University of the West Indies Resident Tutor notes. He reported student registrations as follows:
English 20 Mathematics 16
Accounting 15 Sociology 21
Law 10
Numbers in the distant education programme are also beginning to recover from the slump induced by the volcano-driven migration. Registrations in that programme are as follows:
Certificate of Public Administration - 7
Certificate of Business Administration -10
BSc Management - 4.
This prompted the resident tutor to comment, "The resurgence of interest in education is, as it were, a reflection of the general recovery process. This is a good sign because true development will only come as Montserratians equip themselves to rebuild their country. We welcome outside assistance and capital in the hour of our need, but our dependency must not be total. We can accumulate intellectual capital as a means to greater self-reliance both socially and ultimately economically. Creative minds and entrepreneurial skills will be needed as we confront the challenging task of climbing out of grant-in-aid back to a balanced recurrent budget."
New Medical School Looks to Montserrat
The Reporter today received a fax that referred to "a scam going on on a big scale in California and other States."
The letter, purportedly written by a physician assistant from the U.S.A., went on to say: "This group from somewhere from California are falsely advertising that they have a medical school and extracting thousands of dollars from students…This group is making all false promises that we can do medical schooling most of it from Internet and attend school very few times…People already paid thousands of dollars to this group through agents and Government of Montserrat will be held liable if this scam goes on."
Along with the letter came the medical school’s advertisement and application forms, showing that the school had a web site.
We initiated an investigation and found that this medical school has in fact made application to the government of Montserrat to operate the St. John’s College of Medicine. A government official says that no approval has yet been given to the principals, but their application is being served through the usual channels and the necessary investigations and studies are taking place.
We tried to contact the writer of the fax unsuccessfully. The person answering the telephone number not only denied owning a fax machine but also having anyone with the name of the writer living at the said number. We checked out the Web site mentioned and contacted the principals of the school. Dr. Dan Harrington, confirmed the information received from government officials here, but also said that they have not yet collected any money from anyone.
We were directed to their Web site’s home page at http://www.itgworld.com/stjohns/stjohns.html where we found the following: "A new Medical College, St. John's College of Medicine, is in the process of being established in Montserrat, West Indies."
The Web site provides information regarding the course and an application form for interested persons who must already be involved in the medical field. It describes the course and curriculum: "The College of Medicine M.D. Curriculum has been structured in a Modular manner with each Module consisting of two main components. A didactic/laboratory portion and a distance learning portion."
In an overview of Interactive Technology Corporation (ITC), it refers to this college as: "A College of Medicine with a novel curriculum" It explains this as follows:
"The establishment of a College of Medicine with a Medical Curriculum designed for those already in Medical fields wishing to further their career by obtaining a Medical Degree.
"The program will encompass both traditional and new hi-tech teaching tools. The structure of the program has been designed to enable those who enroll to maintain their present employment with minimal distraction. The hi-tech aspect of the program will provide a distance learning portion to the program, which will be custom built by ITC in affiliation with U.S. educational multimedia company, Interactive Technology Group (ITG), Eugene, Oregon."
Some of the principals have previously visited Montserrat and have had discussions with the government. They are due to return by the end of next week to hold more discussions with government and other businesses on the island as well as home owners, since the renting of homes on the island will be an essential part of their needs.
MVO Estimates Vary On Who Goes Home When
The Soufriere Hills volcano has altered life on Montserrat for years to come and made a few areas unlivable at least for decades, according to Dr. Simon Young, chief scientist at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.
Other less exposed areas, although still in the Exclusion Zone, could be reoccupied in times ranging from six months to a year, he said.
Dr. Young estimated timetables for return to various parts of the island during a recent interview with Winston Cabey on Radio ZJB.
Bleakest in his grim summary of areas nearest the volcano was the area encompassing St. Patrick's and Morris. They have been wiped off the map, he said, adding that there is nothing to go back to south of Reids Estate.
The situation is much the same south of W.H. Bramble airport on the eastern flanks of the volcano.
Long Ground is the only community still visible there, Dr. Young said, and all infrastructure beyond the airport is gone, except for a small area in Spanish Point.
Much of this area may be off limits for decades, he explained, and areas closer to the airport, with the possible exception of the airport itself, will be hazardous for the next few years because of the dangerous instability of the dome.
Dr. Young summarized the outlook for other areas in this way:
Hylroy Bramble Recalls Barbados Symposium
Last week, I attended a symposium in Barbados sponsored jointly by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL). This symposium was run under the theme: "Impact of Globalization on Caribbean Economies." There were 39 participants from 14 countries across the region, from Belize to Guyana. What was noticeable was that among the participants were permanent secretaries, foreign affairs officers, legal affairs officers, labour commissioners and others of this ilk representing governments. The government of Montserrat was not represented. It is my firm belief that given the magnitude of this symposium and Montserrat’s present position as a country under redevelopment, the government should have been represented there. The symposium covered a wide range of issues, such as Globalization, the impacts of regional trading blocks on Caribbean economies, the world trade organisations, intellectual property rights, broadening capital ownership and strategies for action to counteract the negatives of globalization. I would like to give you a brief synopsis of what went on in layman’s terms: Whether we like it or not, we in the Caribbean region, like the rest of the world, are experiencing the effects of globalization. We are living in a global village brought about by rapid technological advances. The multi- and transnationals are moving massive amounts of finance throughout the world. Trading blocks and economic treaties are being made and we are seeing the weakening of currencies worldwide. The impacts of the globalised market and economy have found its way into our small island economies and we as a Caribbean people have to take full responsibility for dealing with the challenges ahead. As a Caribbean people we must face the reality that preferential treatment because of our colonial or commonwealth status is almost nonexistent. It is more profitable for the bigwigs to form other alliances within the Asian or African groupings. As Dr. Neville Duncan aptly puts it -- "the rich have gotten more sophisticated and clever in extracting from the poor."
In essence, the rich are getting richer and the poor poorer. Some persons will say that this has nothing to do with Montserrat. However, Montserrat is a small island economy and cannot be looked at in isolation. If we as Montserratians don’t take stock of our situation we would be floundering as larger more viable economies pass us by. We are not white, like the people of the Falklands; neither are we Indians. We are Montserratians. We need to be flexible and seek opportunity by forging the right type of alliances. Montserrat’s economy is so fragile that it would be literally correct to say we have no economy. Our economy is in no condition to cushion the impacts of globalization. We need to build a domestic economy that will promote competitiveness, bring in new technology and increased and better produce. Our leaders need to reassess our position and try to ensure that we end up with a formidable one, conducive to economic stability and viability. Our worker and private sector organizations need to also reassess their positions. Government must not be given sole responsibility for our destiny. We need to form an alliance for the national good as was done in Barbados a few years ago. That common good bore fruit, for Barbados now boasts the strongest, most viable and stable economy in the Caribbean. I will end by paraphrasing Sir John Stanley Goddard, president of the Barbados Private Sector Organisation: We did not inherit Montserrat from our forefathers. We borrowed it from our children. We are trustees for them. Let us not betray that trust. Rather, let us face the cold hard realities of the world and build a nation of which we can be proud and which our children will be able to build upon for their children and the generations to come.
Coroner's Inquest Set Into June 25 Deaths
The Coroner’s Office has announced that the Inquest into the deaths of those who lost their lives on June 25, 1997, will commence on Wednesday, November 4, at 10 a.m.
By the terms of the Coroners Act, the Coroner’s Court is required to hold an Inquest as to the cause and circumstances of the deaths. Any person who considers that he or she can give relevant evidence that will assist the Jury should contact St. Peter’s Police Station to give a Statement now – they should not wait until the commencement of the Inquest.
Any person, whether an intending witness or not, who wishes to put questions to witnesses who may be called should forthwith notify in writing the Coroner’s Office, at Runaway Ghaut Circle, of his or her request and the reasons for it.
Central Bank Officers Discuss New Directions
Human resource directors of central banks in the Caribbean Community and personnel officers from OECS territories were among participants at the inaugural Caricom Central Banks Human Resources Conference held at the ECCB in St. Kitts last week.
The two-day meeting was the result of a mandate from Caricom central bank governors to provide a forum for the human resource heads to discuss best practices and new ideas, and to coordinate activities.
Succession planning, performance appraisals, and management of change were among the topics explored at the conference.
Medscape News
High Blood Pressure Ups Pregnancy Risks
New York, (Reuters) -- Women with hypertension who become pregnant may be at risk for pre-eclampsia, a potentially life-threatening disorder, if they have high diastolic blood pressure, high blood pressure for at least 4 years, or a history of pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy, according to a report in September 3rd issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.
In addition, high levels of protein in the urine of these women early in pregnancy "is associated with adverse neonatal outcomes," conclude a team of researchers led by Dr. Baha Sibai of the University of Tennessee in Memphis.
Pre-eclampsia is characterized by a sudden, steep rise in blood pressure. Pre-eclampsia strikes about 5 percent of first-time mothers and between 1 percent to 2 percent of mothers during a later pregnancy. If symptoms are not controlled, the condition can lead to eclampsia, a more serious and sometimes fatal condition featuring high blood pressure and convulsions.
The researchers sought to determine specific risk factors linked to the onset of the condition. They studied the gestational histories of 763 pregnant women with diagnosed high blood pressure (readings of at least 140/90 mm Hg).
Sibai and his colleagues report that 193 of the women -- 25% -- had pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, they found that risks of developing the disorder were 60 percent "greater in women who had had hypertension for at sleast 4 years."
In an interview with Reuters Health, co-author Dr. Don McNellis of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development in Bethesda, Maryland, advises that "if a patient knows that they have
hypertension, it's very important to be checked, ideally before pregnancy." Pre-eclampsia risks are especially high in pregnant women who are both hypertensive and obese, he said, but "these are two
factors that are potentially modifiable by treatment before pregnancy or in early pregnancy."
The authors also found that expectant mothers who displayed evidence of proteinuria -- a high concentration of protein in urine -- had three times the likelihood of delivering early or of delivering low
birth weight infants, compared with other women. The investigators say proteinuria is usually a sign of underlying (and often undetected) kidney disease, brought on by chronic hypertension.
SOURCE: The New England Journal of Medicine 1998;339:667-671.
The Thatch Valley Airport Option
In support of the arguments that the cost of the Thatch Valley option for an airport as presented in the feasibility study by the GIBB consultants can be reduced, John Smith and Bennette Roach prepared and presented the following .
GERALDS (1100 metre) OPTION
Base cost of 600 metre strip (as at Geralds) 48m
Base cost of upgrade to 1100 metres 12m
(as at Thatch Valley (393m - 381m)
Total base cost 60m
2. Actual cost of 1,100 metre option 98m
therefore cost of earthworks(in-fill of ghaut) 38m
Therefore volume of in-fill (38m ÷ 22) is 1.73m cubic yards.
This would in-fill an area 500 yards x 200 yards to an average depth of 52 feet.
Time required to carry out in-fill is the difference between the 600 metre and 1,100 metre options; i.e. 12 months.
The largest lorry currently in use in Montserrat can transport 10 cubic yards at one time. It is assumed by the consultants that the in-fill material will have to be brought from the Quarry at Trants.
Number of lorry journeys required 173,000
÷ 50 weeks ÷ 5 days 692 per day
÷ 8 hours 86.5 per hour
or, an arrival every 42 seconds, eight hours per day, 5 days per week, for a whole year.
Is this sustainable?
5. If every vehicle carries seven loads per day a minimum of 100 will be required. A heavy lorry (full or empty) will pass the hospital every 21 seconds.
The volume of material required for in-fill is 2.09m cubic yards for the 1,100-metre option (calculated as above).
THATCH VALLEY (1,100 metres) OPTION
Cost of base airstrip (as before) 60m
Cost of access road (estimated) 12m
Therefore cost of site preparation 321m
Based on our $22 cost, 321m ÷ 22 gives 14.6m cubic yards being removed
Any decrease in vehicle departure frequencies would rapidly affect the project. A decrease to one departure per minute would add 10 years to the project.
(iii) By way of example, a reduced "cut" of 10m cubic yards would create new land 2,000 yards long, 100 yards wide with an average depth of 150 feet.
Government Information Service
Caribbean Youth Summit in Barbados
A four-member delegation will represent Montserrat at the October 4-7 Caribbean Youth Summit in Barbados.
Nurses Almae O’Garro and Violet Browne along with Montserrat Secondary School students Carla Fergus and Darren Herbert will attend the United Nations Population Fund-sponsored Youth Summit.
Under the theme, "Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights," the youth summit will discuss access to reproductive health services, to include contraception, counseling on teenage pregnancy, continued education after pregnancy, social equity and family welfare.
It is against this background that the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Community Services Department will be holding a national consultation or radio discussion on adolescent reproductive health and rights.
At the end of the exercise, it is expected that a national paper will be prepared to be presented to the October Youth Summit in Bridgetown.
In 1994, a Youth Summit was held in Geneva; the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and development and the Caribbean Plan of Action both emphasized the promotion and protection of the reproductive health and rights of individuals and couples, and supported the function of the family in socializing future generations.
These documents also identified adolescents and young persons, not only in terms of the current population size and potential for increases in population size into the next century, but also in terms of the fact that they constitute a vulnerable group that has lost ground in most aspects of development.
These especially include the social and reproductive health area and that of economic structural adjustment.
Caribbean Governments including the Government of Montserrat signed the Geneva Programme of Action.
The Community Services Department is pleased with the outcome of the 1998 Summer Cultural Programmes. The Department says the programmes, which included workshops in dance, music, drama and swimming, culminated in a grand concert at the Brades Primary School, was a resounding success.
The main aims of the summer programmes were to:
110 children participated in the final workshop, which included sessions in drama, dance, swimming and steel pan music. The dance and drama sessions were conducted respectively by Jamaicans Fabian Thomas and Lloyce Hugh, while Montserratian Stanley Pope Dyer taught steel pan music.
Earlier in the summer, Nathalie Edgecombe hosted a dance workshop for 12 children and Brighton taught children to play the Recorder.
The Community Services Department is expressing thanks to all those who made the summer programmes possible, including the Montserrat Red Cross and Diamond Services, who donated trophies to the winners. Diamond Services has also given a commitment to support the continuation of the steel pan sessions on Saturdays.
Chief Minister Brandt Visits Geralds Park
The Government of Montserrat will soon take steps to move residents out of the Public Assistance houses at Geralds Park.
Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt made the announcement when he visited the area on Thursday, September 10th, 1998.
He told the relocated residents there that he was pained to see the deplorable and depressing conditions in which they were living and that the Government of Montserrat will do all in its power to remedy the situation.
The Chief Minister says the Ministry of Agriculture has been mandated to find land to relocate the people from Geralds Park to more healthy and comfortable living accommodation.
Senior Environment Health Officer Trevor Howe, who accompanied the Chief Minister on his visit, has submitted a report to the Executive Council on the situation at Geralds Park.
Mr. Howe says one of the recommendations in his report is the demolition of the unsightly pit latrines, which are causing an environment and health problem.
These will be replaced by six toilets and six bathrooms.
Among his other recommendations are:
On Thursday 10th September Chief Minister Brandt also visited the new Golden Years Home at Brades. During his visit the Chief Minister greeted and held discussions with many of the occupants.
SDP Consultations Move to Nevis
Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt will meet Montserratians in Nevis tomorrow to discuss the Sustainable Development Plan (SDP).
The SDP is a social and economic recovery programme agreed by the British and Montserrat Governments. The plan, in its sixth draft, outlines the key policies and strategies the Government proposes to undertake to advance the island from crisis to the development stage.
The Chief Minister will be accompanied to Nevis by Director of Development Angela Greenway and head of DFID Montserrat Doug Houston.
Previous consultations were held in the United Kingdom, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Antigua and St. Kitts. The purpose of the consultations is to acquaint Montserratians living abroad with efforts to rebuild the island and transform it into a thriving, modern economy and a vibrant community.
In Nevis Chief Minister Brandt will meet Premiere Vance Amory. In their meeting the two leaders will discuss the strengthening of the traditional close ties that have existed between both countries over the years.
Plane Spotting
Her Majesty's visiting heralds
Are gauging our airport referrals.
They are eager to know
Where we think it should go,
Before they locate it at Geralds.
Econom(yth)ics
Just pause for a bit of reflection
At DFID's new sense of direction.
10 years hence, "figures" show,
Montserrat still won't grow.
It's their "optimistic" projection.
Jus wonderin if many more Montserratians would be denied flights into or out of Montserrat if the passenger helicopter service were discontinued.
Jus wonderin if there are manifests to show how many helicopter passengers actually paid their fare for a flight to or from Montserrat.
Jus wonderin when the port at Little Bay will get electricity. It's been in use for a year now.
Jus wonderin why the immigration officers have to turn back so many people who say they are coming to Montserrat to help with the reconstruction.
Jus wonderin if the authorities should not run their own medical checks on those showing up at our ports with supposedly genuine medical certificates.
Jus wonderin why Montserrat has so many STD's all of a sudden.
Jus wonderin how new insurance premiums could be cheaper when you have to pay such fees for property evaluation certificates and why is only one person's certificate is valid.
Jus wonderin when dem a go stap dig up de road dem an do dem one spat at u time.
Jus wonderin where our dear friends at Geralds will go.
Jus wonderin what sweet de school girls dem so, that dem can't keep from de Brown & Root work sites.
Jus wonderin when we going to be able to buy food without bawling.
Jus wonderin why people don't want to pay their land/property tax, while others claiming lands that do not belong to them.
Jus wonderin when somebody going to look for the locals at the MVO.
Jus wonderin what will be done about the horrible smell at Drummonds housing project coming from the Geralds site.
Jus wonderin why de Salem people dem no catch dem yard and free up de houses dem in de north.
Jus wonderin why the civil servants do not move into their new quarters at Brades.
Jus wonderin who the many pedestrians are that travel between the new Government Headquarters site and Carrs Bay, that cause the police to have a presence there, pointing dangerous radar guns at occupants in vehicles and deadly to themselves.
Applications are invited for the post of TECHICIAN with Cable TV of Montserrat.
Applicants should have some electrical or electronics experience and must possess a valid driver’s license.
Interested persons should send applications to:
Cable TV of Montserrat
P.O. Box 447
Olveston, Montserrat
Deadline for application is September 30th, 1998
Cable Television has an immediate vacancy for a Customer Service Representative.
Applicants should possess the following:
1. Maths & English at CXC or equivalent
2. Excellent verbal and written skills
3. Computer skills using DOS or Windows
4. Experience working with the public
5. 2 years experience in a similar position
Interested persons are asked to call Cable Television at 491-2507 to arrange for an interview or send resumes with references to:
Cable TV of Montserrat
P.O. Box 447
Olveston, Montserrat
Deadline for application is September 15th, 1998
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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