Tourism Week Prospers Despite the Evacuation
L-R: Lenroy (Slim)Daley, James (Raper) Meade, Joe Phillip
Under the theme “Tourism is for all Ah We, together let’s stimulate the economy” the Montserrat Tourist Board bravely pushed on with their programme to celebrate Tourism Week despite the events of the last week which saw the evacuation of some areas around the Belham Valley flanks.
Highlights of the week’s activities, which began with a church service at the St. John’s Anglican church on Sunday, were "the Meet and Greet" Day Tour visitors at Little Bay port on Tuesday and Thursday, Intellectual Evening and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, Food Fair and Craft Exhibition on Friday and tomorrow a local awareness tour and fete.
The Meet and Greet programs were quite successful, ending when the visitors were given a send off of masquerade and drinks on their return from the bus tour.
According to the tourist, their visit was arranged by tour operators out of Antigua through arrangements with their travel agents out of the UK. The told The Montserrat Reporter that they were “interested in the presence of the volcano and wanted to see what they can.”
One tourist said, “We were not afraid to come,” in spite of any bad publicity, “we didn’t think we would be allowed to come if it was unsafe to do so. We had a great time and we find the people so very friendly, and we also thoroughly enjoyed our meals here.”
The tour on both days took the visitors to a site overlooking the airport and a view of the volcano from the eastern end at Jack Boy Hill and from Garibaldi Hill, where they could see Plymouth and the devastation of Plymouth in the distance.
The Awards
On
Wednesday night several persons received awards (see Tourism Highlights for full
description of the awards and recipients).
The awards ceremony was preceded by remarks from Mr. Eddie Edgecombe chairman of the Tourist Board and master of ceremonies for the evening proceedings. There were also remarks by the Hon. Chief Minister John Osborne, followed by a most interesting feature address by the Hon. Vance Amory, Premier of Nevis, who was accompanied by his Montserratian wife.
The
chief minister in welcoming the premier and his wife expressed the hope that the
visit would begin even “closer ties and collaboration” between Montserrat and
Nevis.
He paid tribute to the premier: “I recognise that under your administration, Nevis has made considerable strides in the development of your Tourism Industry.”
But the chief Minister addressed what must have been forlornly foremost on his mind as he reminisced that “Tourism has been the main pillar of Montserrat’s economy over the past decade.”
He then lamented: “It is my opinion that if the British Government is serious about helping us to be more self-sustainable that it needs to speed up the assistance in development of our basic tourism infrastructure,” adding that a “speedy approval of the airport and seaport projects is a necessity.”
“The British Government must also take a more proactive role in assisting with dispelling some of the negative press that we have been receiving overseas; play a major role in assisting with marketing Montserrat as an overseas territory with the unique experience of a live volcano,” Mr. Osborne said.
Premier
Amory, just before leaving Nevis, had told his people, “The tourism sector in
Nevis, pitched at the high end of the market, has enabled the island to recover
quite significantly in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist
attacks on the USA.” In his address he had some suggestions for Montserrat to
strive for the same.
He encouraged: “the development of tourism under the present circumstances is possible but requires innovation and significant creativity in marketing and promotion of the product which already exists.”
He warned, “It is necessary to focus on the positive aspects of Montserrat . . . it is possible that focus on the unsafe zone could be a deterrent to the casual visitor who may not have an interest in volcanic occurrences – fear is one of the strongest primal emotions.”
He spent time stressing that “the beauty of your country is still evident . . . emphasize this natural beauty,” he said, encouraging also to “focus on your people and your culture, the experience which could be enjoyed by the discerning visitor who appreciates nature and who values peace and quiet.
The final thrust of his address stressed the most important nature of service: "Accommodations to be attractive and the support and management to be professional and service-oriented . . . the overriding consideration has to be service, service, service and a willingness to provide opportunities for visitors to enjoy an experience for which they are prepared to pay.”
Tourist Board Chairman Edgecombe said in his opening remarks: “When we become good stewards to all of our resources we will be mindful not only of our physical possessions but also of all Montserratians wherever they may be found, our people. Our tourism industry can only be successful if it is done through joint efforts of the private and public sectors at the local, regional and international levels.”
After the awards ceremony which followed, there was a small reception during which entertainment was provided by Earl ‘Hustler’ Browne and the Oriole String Band.
Montserrat was not alone in celebrating tourism this week. The Turks and Caicos also celebrated, Tourism Awareness Week 2002, under the theme "Tourism is Everybody’s Business."
They held a seminar during the week where persons from the distinguished panel came forth to give presentations on ‘Improving Our Tourism Product.’
Masquerades entertain 'day tour' visitors at Little Bay port
"Tourism Week Works, the CM Rallies the Troops, a Trip Trumps the Economy"
This week was celebrated by the Montserrat Tourist Board as ‘tourism week’ under the theme: “Tourism is for all Ah We, together let’s stimulate the economy.”
It was a brave move for the organizers to continue in the face of the distractions of the week just past, but probably astute to show that those events of the week did not deserve to be considered in the manner that resulted.
One of the highlights of the week’s activity was an evening event dubbed “Intellectual Evening and Awards Ceremony,” where several awards and certificates of appreciation were made to well deserving recipients.
The Chief Minister, under whose portfolio the department falls, noted in his brief remarks that “it cannot be business as usual,” acknowledging what this past week might have brought home in more focus for him, that “these are desperate times for Montserrat and in desperate times . . . we (need to) take the bull by the horns and develop workable strategies to improve the tourism sector.”
He hoped that the latest evacuation would be “very short-lived,” also acknowledging “the importance of the tourism dollar to the future of Montserrat.”
He gathered his ministers in a show of support and appeared on Rose Willock’s ZJB Saturday morning show last week, his first such appearance on radio since taking office, at the end of which he touted that callers were showing that it was not the time to make political gains. (Everyone was supposed to miss his own political move.) They ended the program leaving no one the wiser as to how or what he planned to do to change the economic dilemma of Montserrat.
It would have been nice to hear a closing statement by the Chief Minister like, “I am going to insist that there be no semblance of arrogance, that there is not even the hint of any corrupt practice, that the government is transparent in all that it does, that it is accountable to the people and that we develop a system that permits a greater participation by citizens and communities in the decisions that affect their daily life." So said P J Patterson, who returned this week as prime minister of Jamaica for an unprecedented fourth consecutive term.
It is easy to believe that the suddenness of this evacuation had more to do with Mr.Osborne's own opportunities to get cheaply and further away from the volcano threat and the apparent disappointing attempt at impressing his lady Clare Short that, as he put it: “It is pointless to say that you are decreasing aid to Montserrat and at the same time ignoring the development of the base on which we are to build our economy.”
Our head scientist at the MVO has told us that there was a third scenario that had not been mentioned in previous reports which appeared and grew so rapidly that he had to advise evacuation action to avoid the threatened dangers described.
Residents who listened to the Legislative Council session this week might have perceived from various submissions and questions the near budgetary farce that is impending.
And let us not be fooled. The British Government’s advisors always have their way to solve issues as long as it keeps the pressure on. But maybe if we give way to borrowing money from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) as is suggested, (after all we owe no one, but our dependent status does not allow us to seek any counter for ourselves except through Britain), to build the airport; so they (Britain) can get away keeping their threat to decrease their aid.
So we borrow money to build the airport and use the British portion of the airport money to build up our budget needs. So we know that the recent salary increase is coming to haunt us. And we need to know that DFID did not approve any such increase, but did not object to it, knowing that we would have to find the way to support it. What that all boils down to is that if CDB, who will be moved by a possible British government guarantee, might come true and save our political manoeuvres.
St. Martin Ferry trip
It is not enough for the government to block their poor directives to Montserrat Aviation Services about finding revenue to help decrease the subsidy to our transport services, so that money could be found for our over budgetary indiscretions.
The business community or the merchants are being blamed for pointing out the disastrous effect of shopping sprees overseas. It is now mandatory, and it could not be a better time for government and private sector to set about to educate the public on the economics of this matter, as to how it can be that money is being saved on the one hand, while not knowing that money is being lost right through the other hand.
There are many arguments put forward for and against this issue but only the disappointed shoppers are being heard, with some explaining the plus of people ridding themselves of a little stress with a change in scenery, and as one puts, “just to walk the streets from store to store,” could still be realised but with less economic strains.
What would be far more beneficial would be inward tours from St. Marten, St. Kitts and other neighbouring islands which bring money in rather than taking it out, and tours that are more relaxing oriented to help relieve the momentary island stresses.
Except for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers. Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles. All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are welcome. Send your contributions to The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org or monrep@candw.ag. Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope. The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.
Jus Wonderin items may be called in at telephone 491-4715 or Fax 491-2430
A Shelter
Read Jeremiah 31:31-34
The king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Matthew 25:40
You must call on her," a member of my congregation told me. I promised I would, but my heart was not in it. What could I, a young minister, have to say to an 80-year-old , bedridden woman? Finally I went, more out of duty than concern.
Due to an arthritic condition, the woman could move only her head and hands. She never complained. Instead, she spoke about the church, asked about my family, and expressed concern over my workload. When I left, I was encouraged in my calling as never before.
She became my shelter. When I was discouraged, I visited her. She always lifted my spirits. From her, I learned the importance of ministering to the elderly and infirm and the blessings that come from working in care centers, nursing homes, and community programs for seniors.
Today I still have a small greeting card painted by the gnarled fingers of the lovely person I hesitated to call upon so many years ago. I look at it and thank God that she became part of my days. My life was greatly blessed when God led me to her. When I came to minister to her, She ministered to me!
Prayer: Dear father, thank you for showing us that all your children can be instrument of your care and love, regardless of their age and physical condition. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Thought for the day
Ministry can be a two-way street.
Paul K. McAfee(Florida)
Prayer: Focus: PERSONS IN MINISTRY WITH THE ELDERLY
Shoppers in St. Martin See Value for the Money
Dear Editor,
I ask you to give me some space to express some unfair things that are happening to us who work hard for our money and do not want to be told where to spend it. Are we in the same boat as the Taliban? The trip yes was a good gesture that would boost up the economy. People would see what they are buying for their money, not a cat in bag.
The merchants they go out there, get their stuff in bulk, they hardly pay no duty at all. But they put their stuff on the shelves with old stuff from Christmas go Christmas come, expect that we should buy them. Mr. Bird would have never done a thing like that. But from since I heard about the first put off of the boat scene, I told myself, as well as some friends, something did not sound right.
Yes TSO and Johnny Mecca Fashion, we must applaud on his building, also Arrow, but we need to see what we want also. But I know that for the Christmas a lot of people would be taking that same trip to St. Martin on Caribbean Star, giving them the money. Antigua too would be getting our money, while coming back people have to overnight there. So Montserratians who believe that they are doing well for the country are only going to live at their own loss.
We will be having our fortieth anniversary; friends and families would be visiting our homes; should they always see the same old curtains from two years ago? Oh please, I don’t think so. There is no excuse for anyone to say that the boat schedule would be interrupted; we are not fools. That trip is also a stress buster. Montserratians, also our friends that are living on Montserrat, love nice clothes and shoes, household, etc. And believe it or not, as long as nothing further happens by the volcano, we are going to St. Martin, where the fare at MAS would be much cheaper.
I can’t close until I say that the merchant things are so high, and the workers don’t go home with a good salary.
Quite Annoyed
Let People of Montserrat Go Where They Please
Dear Editor,
Please allow me to express my feeling towards those hungry merchants here on Monserrat. I do understand, on the other hand, that the people of Montserrat need to let the money stay here to build up the economy.
But yet I am very distressed about this way we are living here on Montserrat, allowing people to treat us like refugees in a camp. I do think that the people of Montserrat should stand up and face reality; get up people and smell the coffee, because our country is on the verge of going down.
Why is it that the Government of Montserrat sits back and listens to the private sectors and cancels the trip to St. Martin? That trip would have relieved people's minds from stress. Is it only private sectors live here; what about the people in general?
On the other hand, the Government told Montserrat Aviation Services to be profitable in any way they can. Now that is exactly what they were doing, organizing trips to different islands, so what is the problem? How come the ones to St. Kitts & Nevis? Is it because it was St Martin and it is also a shopping paradise of the Caribbean?
So now, when the Private Sectors along with the Government are talking about the economy need boosting, they should know how they have the place going like that when the Government owes so much million of dollars they should stop and come again. So let the people of Montserrat go where they please. This is a place with a volcano, not a refugee camp.
From dem grudge a we.
Where is the Reason Why No Publication for Two Weeks
Unless my eyesight if failing, the first item I would have expected to read in the current issue of the "Montserrat Reporter" would be a reason why no editions were published for two weeks.
From the first moment I learnt that the "Montserrat Reporter" was online, I have been waiting to see when an improvement in the format would be presented. Alas, it would seem that I have a long wait.
It is really rich when former Chief Ministers start criticising the current Government, when it is a clear case of "the pot calling the kettle black".
The former Chief Minister should recognise that there are things that can be done, and things that cannot be done in sequence, and instead of putting forward tangible views, he should realise that sniping in the background is considered very crass.
I personally remember attending a meeting where the then Hon Bertram Osborne was at the time Chief Minister, and the way he was belittled in the presence of the newly arrived Montserratians from a gentleman who claimed at the time that "he had no aspiration to high office", was in very poor taste.
If Montserrat is to go forward and make the best of a very bad situation, it is only going to happen, when everyone gets on board behind the incumbent rather than make snappy remarks - which I may add does nothing for the individual concerned - if they are being genuine they should offer their opinions as concerned citizens. Remember, the world is watching Montserrat, how individuals portray themselves can and will be judged by a much wider panel of critics.
Regards
S A Fergus (Mrs)
sfergus@handsa.co.uk
Tuesday Visitors Welcomed At Port by Tourist Department
As part of their celebration of Tourism Week, which kicked off with a church service on Sunday, the Tourism Department spent Tuesday extending and showing appreciation to a group of tourists who visited the island.
Tourists returning from "a most interesting tour"
The group was given a special welcome at the Little Bay port as they arrived on the Tuesday morning scheduled ferry from Antigua and before they departed on the island tour with Bus driver and guide Mr. Leroy (Slim) Daley.
One tourist couple described their day tour to the Montserrat Reporter as “most interesting.”
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS HOST OPEN HOUSE
As part of the activities commemorating Financial Literacy Month, several financial Institutions in the ECCU have agreed to host an open house on savings and investment on October 18, 2002. The day will be dedicated to providing clients with information about the importance of saving and investing, the new investment opportunities available throughout the Currency Union, and the products and services offered by the various institutions.
Clients will receive free individual consultations and have their questions answered on issues relating to personal budgeting, maximising the returns on savings, managing credit, insurance, mortgages and investing in the securities market.
This collaborative initiative is aimed at increasing knowledge of financial matters and generating ongoing discussion of important related issues throughout the ECCU.
MSS Equipped to Teach Computer Aided Drafting
Some of the computers and printing equipment in the new CAD Lab
Minister Idabelle Meade of Health, Education and Community Services congratulated the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) children on Tuesday morning as she told them, “You are fortunate to be among the first set of people in Montserrat who will learn the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) Technology.”
Mrs.Meade delivered a brief feature address on the occasion of the handing over of a renovated room with six computers already equipped with CAD software.
In her opening remarks, chairperson and Development Unit director Mrs. Angella Greenaway described the (CAD) system as “commonly used for drafting architectural and engineering drawings and for making technical illustrations of any kind.”
She said the dual project was the result of the Basic Need Trust Fund (BNTF4), which is now near completion. She announced at the same time that the BNFT5, estimated to cost US$1.4 million, has been approved by the Caribbean Development Bank and is expected to be phased over a period of six years.
Mr.
Charles (King) Lee, Project Manager of the Montserrat BNFT, said project costs
included $47,071 for the renovation; and an allocation of $66,980 for the MSS
training, computers, and accessories such as plotter and printer.
The Technical Drawing CAD lab, as it was called by Miss Kathleen Greenaway, MSS principal, provides the new Technical Drawing syllabus from the Caribbean Examination Council. The system “will now enable students to take their examinations using the traditional or CAD method,” she said.
Miss Greenaway expressed pleasure that for the lab adding “I am hoping that the lab would not only be used for Technical Drawing, but the visual arts since the new syllabus has sections for design using the computer,” promising at the same time that “every effort would be made to take care of this laboratory.”
Minister Meade expressed gratitude to the CDB as a social partner, acknowledging that the project “sponsored by the CDB
will go a long way towards bridging this gap (skill in CAD technology) in ensuring that our young people find gainful employment upon leaving school.”
“Thus,” she said, “the project is beneficial to both the private and the public sector.”
Fifth Basic Needs Trust Fund Approved at US$1.4 Million
Mrs. Angella Greenaway, director of the Development Unit, took the occasion of the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) handing over at Montserrat Secondary School to declare her pleasure that the estimated cost of US$1.4 million for the BNTF5 has been approved.
Mrs. Greenaway promised that additional information would be provided about the programme in the coming months. She said its focus will be on "Poverty Reduction," introduced in the BNTF4, but to be strengthened and expanded.
BNTF is the acronym for Basic Needs Trust Fund; the major changes in the Fund will be threefold: Projects that will be specifically targeted at poor people’s needs,
Targeted communities will be approached and submission of sub-projects will be justified by demonstrated need and demand.
The BNTF programe began as the Basic Human Needs/Employment Sector Project in 1979, arising out of a need to address the chronic under-employment for a growing labour force and to preserve and expand social infrastructure required to reduce poverty, targeting at improving living conditions in rural poor communities.
According to Mr. Charles (King) Lee, project manager, “the general objective of the BNTF programme is to assist low-income communities in planning and implementing projects to improve their access to essential services through the provision of social and economic infrastructure and the opportunities for development of skills to enhance employability.”
The BNTF, sponsored by the Caribbean Development Bank, is headed in Montserrat by Mr. Lee, who has an assistant community worker.
18 Countries Represented At Risk Management Study
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts --“Implementing An Enterprise-Wide Risk Management System as an Integral Part of Operational Procedures” was the theme of a training seminar for officials from banking and financial institutions at the ECCB Financial Complex from October 14-18.
The objective of the seminar is to assist participants in evaluating risk management procedures within their organisations, and to provide them with practical guidelines for incorporating risk management activities into operational procedures.
Eighteen representatives from the ECCU member countries and Trinidad and Tobago attended the seminar, which was hosted by the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking and Financial services (ECIB) in collaboration with the Bank of Ireland International services Ltd. Lead facilitator Mr John Murray from the Bank of Ireland was supported by other regional and local experts.
The Risk management seminar was organised by the ECIB, as part of a project by the Caribbean Association of Banking and Financial Institutions (CABFI) and the Caribbean Regional HRD Program for Economic Competitiveness (CPEC). The aim of the project is to” Modernize the Productive Pattern of Regional Economies using HRD Strategies in the Financial Services Sector for a Sustained Competitive Economic Environment.”
ECSRC Completes Its First Year of Operation
Mr Crispin Sorhaindo, Chairman of the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission, says he is satisfied with the progress made by the Commission in its first year of operation.
According to Mr Sorhaindo, the Commission has already licensed six broker dealers and is currently assisting four potential broker dealers to finalise their applications. Forty-three persons have successfully completed the ECSM Certification Workshop and Examinations, 24 of whom are licensed as principals and representatives in the ECSM. The Commission has also registered 29 public companies, which will shortly begin reporting formally to the Commission on an annual and semi-annual basis.
“This new entity, which is starting from scratch, is responsible for licensing persons engaged in securities business, as well as regulating the conduct of securities business in the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, so we must to proceed carefully," Mr Sorhaindo said. "Our staff is in place and our systems have been developed. The ECSRC has already been granted associate membership in the Council of Securities Regulators of the Americas (COSRA), and we expect to receive full membership in November.”
Established on 19 October 2001, the Commission is governed by the Uniform Securities Act 2001. The five Commissioners are Chairman Crispin Sorhaindo of Dominica, Mr Dunbar McIntyre from Grenada, Mr Calvin Rodgers from Antigua & Barbuda, Mr Charles Brisbane from St Kitts & Nevis and Mr Errol Allen, Deputy Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, who is the Deputy Chairman.
The Commission plans to launch its website (www.ecsrc.com) in December 2002.
ECSE Critical to OECS Development
OECS Heads of Governments and Private
Sector Officials have endorsed the significance of the Eastern Caribbean
Securities Exchange as a critical instrument in the development of the economies
of OECS member countries.
At the Special Summit on the economy held in St Kitts/Nevis on October 10 & 11,
the meeting agreed that the Exchange was an important aspect of the reform and
transformation process being undertaken in the countries.
Accordingly, the OECS Governments have agreed to support the money and capital
market programme by passing legislation and giving administrative, practical and
moral support to the ECCB in facilitating the free movement of capital.
The Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange, the first regional electronic
exchange in the Western Hemisphere became operational one year ago. Since that
time some 1.08 million shares have traded, with the total value of shares being
in excess of $6.7 million. The shares of the two companies listed on the
Exchange, Bank of Nevis and the East Caribbean Financial Holdings Company
Limited have traded steadily at prices well above their par values. Six
financial intermediaries are operating as licensed broker dealers on the ECSE.
Trinidad & Tobago Stalemate Over, Parliament Sits at Last
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC -- The
Trinidad and Tobago Parliament met this week for the first time since the
October 7 general elections, in an atmosphere totally different from the
environment that prevailed when neither of the two major political parties had
gained sufficient seats to control the last legislative chamber.
In contrast to when the ruling Peoples National Movement (PNM) had attempted
unsuccessfully to elect a Speaker some nine months ago, the occasion this time
went
smoothly as former Parliamentarian Barry Sinnanan, a lawyer, was elected to the
chair unopposed.
The main opposition United National Congress (UNC), which had used its 18 seats
in the hung parliament earlier this year to prevent the election of a Speaker,
even voting against nominees the party itself had put up for the post, did not
put up any candidate for either Speaker or his deputy.
The UNC's action was part of an overall strategy to force the last Patrick
Manning administration into calling early general elections following the
unprecedented 18-18 tie in the December 2001 polls.
However, the UNC was defeated by a 20-16 margin in the October 7 polls, paving
the way for the proper functioning of the Parliament here.
But the ceremonial opening of the new legislative term was overshadowed by the
continued illness to the Head of State Arthur N.R. Robinson, who is
recuperating from surgery to control a bleeding prostate.
President's House said Thursday that President Robinson's health was improving
but
that he had been ordered to rest for a further two days. That did not prevent
him from signing the documents for the appointment of the nineindependent
Senators.
Earlier this week, President Robinson was unable to participate in the swearing
in ceremony of the final batch of Ministers who completed Mr. Manning's
25-member cabinet. Dr. Linda Baboolal, the President of the Senate who was
sworn in as acting Head of State minutes before the ceremony started, performed
that duty.
President Robinson has made it clear on previous occasions that he does not
intend to remain in office past March next year, and Mr. Manning said his
administration was not on the hunt for a successor for the time being, saying he
had no intention of hounding the President out of office.
Mr. Manning told reporters that legislators should be prepared for long night
sessions as his administration attempts to pass the 2002-03 budget later this
month.
The budget presentation will take place on Monday, October 21, Mr. Manning said,
as the opposition legislators said they would be seeking answers from the
government over its spending during the last nine months when Parliament was not
able to be convened.
Full Manning Cabinet Contains Big Surprises
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC - Prime Minister Patrick Manning on Tuesday completed the composition of his 25-member cabinet, finding no room for three persons who served in his last administration, while bringing in new faces. Earlier this week, 15 members of the cabinet had taken the oath of office at the President's House.
Among the casualties is Fitzgerald
Hinds, a lawyer who served as a junior minister in the previous administration
and whom Mr. Manning said had decided against accepting a portfolio that had
been offered to him.
Mr. Hinds had been quoted in the media here as refusing to accept the position
of junior minister in the Ministry of National Security, and while Mr. Manning
gave no indication as to what portfolio had been offered to the parliamentarian,
he told reporters, "He was unable to accept the offer made to him and we have to
move on."
Earlier supporters of the dreadlocked Mr. Hinds had gathered outside the Prime
Minister's office with a petition urging him to appoint the member for the
Laventille constituency to a senior position within his cabinet.
But Mr. Manning told reporters that cabinet positions were the purview of the
Prime Minister and those offered positions had an option of either "taking it or
leaving it."
The swearing in ceremony was delayed due to the illness of President Arthur N.R.
Robinson, who was replaced by the Dr. Linda Babolall, who was sworn in as acting
Head of State, a few minutes before the ceremony.
Dr. Babolall is also to be the President of the Senate in the new Parliament and
under the Constitution automatically becomes the person next in line to the
President.
Among the changes announced by Prime Minister Manning in the new cabinet is the
removal of Arnold Piggott, who served as Minister of Communications and Works, a
post that has now gone to Franklyn Khan, who won one of the five marginal seats
in the general elections on October 7.
Danny Montano, who served as Housing Minister in the last administration, is now
the Minister of Science, Technology and Tertiary Education, while Dr. Keith
Rowley returns to the Ministry of Planning and Development.
Penelope Beckles, who was the Minister of Social Services in the last
government, now becomes the Minister of Culture and Tourism, while Jarette
Narine retains the Local Government portfolio, as did Roger Boynes the Minister
of Sports and Youth Affairs.
Rene Dumas, who comes from the sister isle of Tobago, was sworn in as Minister
of Public Utilities and the Environment, replacing Martin Joseph, who is now the
Housing Minister, while newcomers, Senators Mustapha Abdul Hamid and Christine
Kangaloo become Minister of Social Development and Minister in the office of the
Prime Minister respectively.
Another casualty of the new cabinet is Eudine Job, who served as Minister of
Tourism in the outgoing Manning administration. She has not been given a
portfolio in the new government.
OECS Now Has Charter To Foster Development
OECS Member States now have a regional Development Charter in place.
Heads of Government formally accepted the OECS Development Charter at the October 10-11 Special Summit on the Economy in St. Kitts/Nevis.
The Charter, developed over several years by the OECS Secretariat and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, maps out a vision for the long term development of the region, with strategies at the national and regional levels.
The historic document puts the OECS in a position to address concerns about the absence of a development framework for the region. This was identified within the wider CARICOM region as a problem affecting development.
The Charter also provides the OECS with a guide to how it deals with international trade negotiations and is an instrument with which the OECS can now engage international financial institutions to discuss financial assistance.
On the sectoral front the Charter speaks to economic transformation through Agriculture, Tourism, non-tourism Services, the Financial Services Sector, Manufacturing, Transportation, and Information and Communications Technology.
The Charter also addresses human development with emphasis on reducing poverty through education, and substantially increasing the number and quality of jobs. It focuses on improving access to health care and provision of adequate shelter. It also promotes the empowering of disadvantaged groups to enrich their lives and advance development in the region.
The human development agenda also involves development of sports, environmental sustainability, good governance and the role of the media in seeking and disseminating information.
The framers of the Charter acknowledge that the majority of proposals fall within the remit of the public sector, but say there are vital roles for the social partners in shaping and supporting the proposed strategies and the policies and actions necessary to implement them.
OECS Private sector officials who were present for the official hand over of the Charter have endorsed its proposals.
Republic of Korea Gives Computers to St. Kitts
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- The government’s computer literacy and training programmes in schools and other learning institutions was enhanced on Wednesday with a donation from Korea.
Ambassador His Excellency Chou-uck Kim of the Republic of Korea handed over 89 computers, 20 printers with ink refills and 11 scanners to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Education.
At a ceremony marking the event, Permanent Secretary Osmond Petty said the government has invested approximately $5 million in the schools computerisation project. “We remain committed in our plans to enhance and upgrade the number of computers in schools,” he said, noting that it will have a tremendous impact on the populace.
Mr. Petty explained that the timely donation by the Republic of Korea will vastly aid the efforts of government.
Jamaica's Ruling Party Wins Unprecedented Fourth Term
KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC -The
ruling Peoples National Party (PNP) won an unprecedented fourth consecutive term
in office this week but with a considerable reduction in its parliamentary
majority in the Jamaica Parliament.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson also re-wrote the political history books here by
becoming the first leader to win three consecutive terms in office.
The PNP won 35 of the 60 seats contested in Wednesday's general election, while
its main rival, the Jamaica Labour Party, improved upon its 1997 showing by
winning 25 seats, 13 more than it had in the previous Parliament.
Only 56.3 percent of the 1.3 million voters electorate turned out, against the
70 percent that was projected by pollsters. Heavy rains associated with the
passage of tropical storm Marco may have kept a number of voters at home, as
some parts of Jamaica were reported to be flooded.
This was the eighth election win for the PNP. Of the 13 previous general
elections the JLP had won six and the PNP, seven.
Mr. Patterson told supporters in a speech Wednesday night, "I believe that being
the first prime minister to win a third consecutive term is not only a
historical privilege, but also imposes on me a historical responsibility and
that responsibility has to be discharged by leading the charge for unity, for
harmony, for peace, for progress -- for making sure that our motto is fulfilled:
Out of many, one people.
"I want tonight to stretch the hand of friendship to all those who are involved
in political leadership in the Opposition and invite them to work with us to
build a better and brighter and more peaceful Jamaica," he said.
JLP Leader Edward Seaga is expected to face mounting pressure to step down as
political leader after leading the party into its seventh defeat since being at
the helm for 28 years.
But the 72-year-old former prime minister gave no indication Wednesday night
that he was prepared to step aside. Mr. Seaga said he was not prepared to say
yet "the Labour party has lost the election".
"I am prepared to say that the People's National Party does have a majority of
the seats and I commend them for the campaign that they ran which was effective
and gave them that majority . . . . The electorate of Jamaica has been asked a
question and they have responded. We hold the right of the electorate to respond
to those questions as a sacred right. We accept those decisions, whatever it may
be," he said.
Despite some outbreaks of violence, electoral officials here said election day
was among the most peaceful since the bloody 1980 vote, when the country was
ideologically polarised and elements of the Cold War were also played out in the
streets of Kingston.
Sixth Annual Meeting Of ECIB in Dominica
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts -- Errol Allen, President of the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking and Financial Services (ECIB), report to members at the Institute’s sixth annual General meeting in Dominica on October 11.
“Intellectual capital, not natural resources, machinery or even financial capital, is the one indispensable asset of corporations," he said. "By contributing to the building of intellectual capital among its membership, the Institute will be playing a catalytic role in the development of the region’s human resource.”
Mr Allen noted that throughout the past year, the ECIB had offered several courses in an attempt to strengthen relationships with its corporate members through education and training. Among these were a UWI accredited Certificate in Financial Services Practice; a Corporate Productivity Benchmarking Project; a Forum for OECS human resource managers operating in the financial sector; and a Young Employees Socialization Project. He indicated that ECIB was seeking to develop case study material to address some of the problems faced by the banking community, during the current year.
by Peter Adrien
India and the West Indies are like chalk and cheese. They are made of different mettle. The former is “hard”; the latter is “soft.” This is why the East Indian team is “strong” and the West Indian team is “weak.”
This
explains why India completed their first-ever innings victory over the West
Indies in the first test at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai on October 12, 2002,
after amassing a dominating 457 runs in the first innings and then bowled West
Indies out for 157 and 188.
It was the off-spinner Harbhajan who completed the formalities when he scalped the last two West Indian wickets after lunch and ended with figures of 7/48. Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble shared all ten second innings wickets to skittle out the men from the Caribbean for 188 before tea on the fifth day.
All sincere West Indian cricket followers know that any representative Indian team would defeat, it not humble the current West Indies team. And many of us knew that the 2-1 victory over the Indians at home in the first quarter did not truly reflect the difference between the two teams. We knew that the one-time application of Carl Hooper and the coming of age of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, together with the absence of key Indian cricketer – Verender Sehwag – as well as the under-performance of some Indian key players, had merely worked in West Indies favour.
The differences between the two teams are reflected in the test averages of the top batsmen and bowlers. Generally a pedigree batsman averages 40 and above and a pedigree bowler averages below 25 along with a cluster of five wickets hauls. The averages for the Indian star batsmen are as follows: Sourav Ganguly (42.82), Rahul Dravid (55.45), Sachin Tendulkar (57.80 and VVS Laxman (41.25). Shivnarine Chanderpaul is the only star player in the West Indies team; he averages 44.01. All the other batsmen are below world-class. The averages for the top West Indian batsmen are as follows: Carl Hooper (36.71); Ramnaresh Sarwan (37.31); Chris Gayle (34.45); Wavell Hinds (31.02); and Ryan Hinds (34.25). The two teams are really like chalk and cheese.
The Indian star bowlers are Harbhajan Singh with 127 wickets at 27.44 with a best bowling of 8/84; Anil Kumble with 340 wickets at 27.88 with a best bowling of 10/74; and Javagal Srinath with 233 wickets at 30.48 with a best bowling of 8/86. Unfortunately, the West Indies has no world-class bowler.
Moreover, the Indian team has a superior leadership. While both teams have problems in winning overseas, India has a superior overall winning record. Captain Sourav Ganguly has played 28 matches, has won 12, lost 8 and drawn 8 while captain Carl Hooper has played 21 matches, has won 4, lost 10 and drawn 6. Bear in mind that leadership is a factor of production.
The Indian superiority is reflected in the relative teams’ performances. For the year 2002, India have played 11 test matches, have won 4, lost 3 and drawn 4 while for the same period, West Indies have played 9 matches, won 2, lost 4 and drawn 3.
The superior mental acumen of the Indian team is reflected in the endurance of star batsmen Rahul Dravid. The prolific middle-order batsman who was suffering from dehydration and cramps would not retire until he had reached his century. He literally had to limp from 98 to 100 after he tucked Mervyn Dillon to the vacant square leg, for his fourth consecutive Test century. Spurred, encouraged and nursed by the 17-year-old Parthiv Patel who was playing his third test, he remained in the wicket until he made history. He joined a elite group comprising Australian Jack Fingleton, South African Alan Melville and West Indian Everton Weekes, who went on to get five. Dravid endured the pain under shocking heat and batted for six hours having to control himself on a slow wicket which demanded patient and very hard work.
Captain Carl Hooper’s impatience on the other hand, reflected the difference between the two mettles. At 4-103, the mentally weak batter was out-witted by Sourav Ganguly even if the partnership between him and Shivnarine Chanderpaul had reached irritation levels at 44. Zaheer Khan dropped the ball short, a touch down the leg side and the skipper's arching pull shot sent the ball sailing down Sanjay Bangar's throat at deep fine leg. That mistake virtually sunk the ship, as the rest of the West Indian batters only managed 52 more runs. Carl Hooper had once again dash the hope of the team and embarrassed the Caribbean people.
The only resistance came from Shivnarine Chanderpaul who accumulated 54 in 234 minutes in the first innings. In the second innings, his 36 not out from 116 balls was as workmanlike and thorough as ever. He was the lone warrior who defied the Indians.
By comprehensively dominating the West Indians on all the four days, India have wrested the initiative in this series. Except the forces of nature intervene or the glorious uncertainties of the game comes enters the equation, the tourists could face another whitewash, this time at the hands of the Indians, having been victims to Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and South Africa.
We thought the worse was over, but the off-the-field indiscipline, conflict over team selection and scandalous behaviour are not contribution to team performance and success.
We need a miracle but the gods do not perform miracles in an indiscipline environment.
Peter Adrien is a central banker, an author, a syndicated sports analyst and freelance photographer. He can be contacted viawww.adriensenterprises.com or E-mail: Adriens@caribsurf.com
PHOTO CAPTION: Rahul Dravid, the run-machine (Photo: Peter Adrien)
Peter Adrien
October 17, 2002
Peter Adrien is a Central Banker, an author, a syndicated sports commentator, and a freelance photographer. He may be contacted at www.adriensenterprises.com or at e-mail: info@adriensenterprises.com
COMMENTARY
The airing of Legislative Council is really important.
Legislators can use the little airtime given to make the public aware of how hard they are working on the behalf of the citizens who elected them.
Unfortunately there are two major impediments to the efficient working of our Legislative Council. The first is that because of the majority of the Government in power coupled with the "I have to vote with you" non-elected members of Parliament and the more seeming partiality of the Speaker of the House, debates will always seem to be one- sided and any law that the Government want, the Government will get.
Secondly, even as a radio listener, one is at pains to listen to the Speaker of the House. One does get the impression that he does not quite seem to grasp parliamentary procedures, perhaps yet. By now he should know them. It is over a year now since his ascendancy to the Speaker’s throne. But then, according to the admission of two other parliamentarians, they themselves need to be instructed in parliamentary procedures and processes. Shouldn’t someone teach them how, if they wish to learn, that is?
The Clerk of Council seems to do a good job on the floor prodding and pushing the Speaker. Let her teach them all in private and on their own time, man!
So what happened in Parliament this week?
Nothing much really.
The Minister tried to slight the businesswoman, once again. The MP raised hell as usual. He is as usual in opposition even to the Opposition. They talk a little about the free movement of people. The Chief blow his own trumpet. The other MP make the ruling side look sort of not too bright. They agree to acquire the lands for the airport. If it wasn’t for the bright, well-spoken, highly intelligent and well-versed Attorney General lady addressing all the legal aspects of all the issues in such style and with so much "fresh" knowledge, Legislative Council would have just been another big yawn.
And that, Ladies and Gentlemen, was a summary of proceedings in Parliament today.
Just Disappointed
Tourism Players Honored For Their Contributions
The Montserrat Tourist Board has been celebrating Tourism Week 2002 under the theme “Tourism is for all Ah We, together let’s stimulate the economy”. The week of activities started on October 13 .
On Wednesday October 16, an Intellectual Evening and Awards Ceremony was held by the Tourist Board at Tropical Mansion Suites where several persons within the tourism industry were awarded in the following categories:
Individual of the Year Award; Establishment Award; Special Service Award, and Ambassadorial Award
The Individual of the Year Award was a shared award given to the following persons for their contributions to the industry: Mr. Joe Phillip, Mr. James ‘Raper’ Meade, and Mr. Roy ‘Slim’ Daley
Ms. Florestine Farrell of Tina’s Restaurant was presented with the Establishment Award for her commitment in striving to excel in food preparation and presentation as well as for good customer service given.
The Special Service Award was given to Mr. Arthur ‘Brokes’ Meade for his commitment to protecting and maintaining the environment.
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Mr Alhonsus ‘Arrow’ Cassell was presented with the Ambassadorial Award for promoting Montserrat through his music both regionally and internationally, which has allowed many people to learn of Montserrat.
Certificates of Appreciation were also given to the following Forest Rangers for their contributions to the industry: Mr. James ‘Scriber’ Daley; Mr. John ‘Gambie’ Martin; Mr. Lloyd Aymer, and Mr. Philemon ‘Mappie’ Murrain
By E.H. Dryson
Have you the time to consider the group dynamics at play among a number of people, all being friends and associates, confined to a minivan on their way to and then returning from a West Indian party to put the van back in place? Imagine also that each occupant possesses a valid licence and that vehicle is Montserrat. Some will sleep enroute because there isn’t the chance to drive and the majority, after the drinking and dancing, definitely on the return, maybe even the driver himself.
I am no Town Planner. It is also not the intention to suggest this writer possesses any particular skill/expertise in the general area of planning. However, despite the lack of such abilities it is the held view, one now shared, that as a people we may have lost the opportunity to develop the Little Bay Area to our utmost benefit through neglect shortsightedness, greed, incompetence, or just plain being asleep.
In sharing these thoughts it is emphasised that the writer has not seen nor chosen to see the document prepared by the English Firm which did a study into ‘their financing of the Town Centre’ nor any document for that matter which addresses development of Little Bay into a COMMERCIAL CENTRE other than perhaps an article by the Man From Baker Hill which appeared in the Reporter a short while ago.
It is established for clarification that the Government and People of Montserrat own the lands at Little Bay. It is also in the realm of the Government, as part of its development plan of the North, to find the most economically vibrant use of those lands to drive on-island development toward growth and sustainability. This in my opinion is yet to be done or communicated to the major economic players.
Government or its representatives, be they individuals or a delegated body, should have entered into dialogue and negotiations with its ‘social partners’ and the Business Community in particular into its strategy for Little Bay development. It is the Business Community, which it has been stated in press releases, is expected to be the Engine for Economic Growth. The signs, however, are that this was either not done or given very negligible emphasis.
This claim is supported on the proliferation of land purchases and building erection made in the Brades corridor by our local businesses. Had they been exposed to the "plan," provided their input and bought into the strategy, would they have yet made the investing decisions of which the public is now aware?
Would a businessman chose to invest hard to find funds in purchasing land at $10--$20 per square foot when that sum could have been better utilised constructing a building at Little Bay, putting less pressure on the Bottom Line? It is conceivable that some of his savings could have been passed on in lower prices.
What are the justifications for saying that no, or inadequate discussions went on?
The Bank of Montserrat (BOM) is majority owned by (GOM). It is learnt that the bank paid $250,000 for a piece of land in Brades. The location is not known nor researched. Does such a purchase make good sense? Would you go and buy land from a Land Developer/Speculator when your father or uncle has land you can obtain without initially parting with such a large sum? Keep the money in the family you would say!
Nonsense you will reply. Everything is part of "the plan." One man had continuously asked about "the plan"| but proved neither had one.
Look at the temporary Government Head Quarters Site on which a ‘permanent structure’ is being built, and the Police Place . Should the land have been bought or entered onto in the first place instead of going to Little Bay? If government, which owns land in Little Bay, buys land in Brades, isn’t this the "sign" I have been waiting for as a businessperson?
Who leads or does the driving? Does anyone have even a hand on the wheel? Have they all been along for the ride and pride?
Is it that the ship of state is on automatic with no one at the wheel , or the helmsman asleep why Montserrat Aviation Services has now followed BOM’s footsteps? How many more institutions owned by us the ordinary people of Montserrat, whose boards are going to use our money and put it into the pockets of a few, at the expense of the more needy while our land sits idle at Little Bay? How many before the stupidity stops?
Surely, one would think that if there were serious considerations and a communicated strategy being followed by the political directorate, one supported by the business community about utilisation of the Little Bay Lands, one with Montserratians being the major beneficiaries in mind, development of the area would have been more advanced. We would not today be seeking infusion of foreign funds with their attendant implications of local ownership alienation to bring about some development!
The crux of the matter is: how would the government get businesses to locate to Little Bay as the area of #1 choice?
Sites/Lots could have been offered, (under Town and Country Planning guidelines) to businesses under Lease-Purchase Agreements. Ninety-Nine Year Leases with options for earlier commutation are seen to be the ‘financing vehicle’ whereby the land is acquired. Annual Rents would be paid which go toward the eventual purchase price as agreed.
From the nature of the "leases" businesses could have gone to financial institutions to obtain funds for construction. It is not a new method of acquiring property and is in common use outside Montserrat. If money is not forthcoming locally, there are Trinidad and Antigua Banks, which are aggressively seeking to increase their loan portfolios outside their home markets.
The first steps would have seen about six to eight critical institutions/businesses that are encouraged or facilitated to set up operations in Little Bay as a core, serving the public with greater convenience than presently happens. This core group would have acted as a magnet/nucleus to which other businesses gravitated and thus Little Bay development snowballs into a centre that we would then all be proud of.
It is not inconceivable. Her Majesty’s Government could not otherwise but have supportrd the endeavour. This would be critical as funds for infrastructure would have been sought from this source. The optimistic position is adopted because of public pronouncements made by British Officials that they will support measures that will make GOM less dependent on Budgetary Aid to meet both Recurrent and Capital Expenditure. Little Bay development in itself is a huge confidence building endeavour with huge economic and other impacts.
Having seemingly laid the blame at the government’s feet, you are now directed to take a sideways glance. Could such a state of unwatchfulness exist if there is not some measure of blame to be cast on the associates?
Business Leaders have the ear of politicians. It is understood that they are the advisers and financiers of political parties and politicians. With this comes influence! It happens the world over. Is it therefore to be accepted that over the last seven years none of our businessmen/entrepreneurs approached any of the politicians in power with a similar strategy as presented above?
If such is the case, it is a serious indictment of the group in the van. They all need to wake up even if it is now the ninth hour, when they should have been awake three to four hours earlier. This is the wake up call.
It is hoped that, with all its flaws, this serves to encourage my fellow citizens to think about what is or isn’t happening in respect of our advancement and whether there are, possibilities yet open to us.
What Chamber You Talking About?
By Montserratian at Heart
So Government call off the Ferry trip to St. Marteen and the whole island vex. Even the people on the EE vex. And they blaming the greedy businessmen. And they talking about rights. And they talking about shopping and they talking about costs.
And MAS talking as well. MAS saying how they going to make clear profit.
And the journalist talking too. The journalist saying how Government talking out of two sides of they mouth. Saying how MAS must make money and now MAS could make money they saying how MAS must not make money.
Now this is no joke. This is really a very serious issue. And it needs some talking to. That the Ferry Trip to St. Marteen was cancelled is both a good thing and a bad thing. It all depends on whether you are a businessman or a private citizen and whether you truly understand the enormity of the economic situation that exists on Montserrat.
It is all well and good to sit in the luxury of your home or in the privacy of your cushy little office while you tap out your little missives on your computer in your newly adopted country without economic woes and its large market place and pooh-pooh the decision by the Government.
Unless and until you understand that Montserrat's existence is totally dependent on Montserrat private sector's ability to co-exist, you will continue to think that "it doesn't change the price of tea in Pakistan."
I know that every one has a right to an opinion and it is good that all and sundry are venting about this issue, because hopefully someone will stand up and say the right thing. How many of you who can talk about the price of tea in Pakistan have invested in Montserrat over the past seven years? How many of you have stayed here right through the dust and the ash and fought tooth and nail to rebuild Montserrat?
How many of the many non-nationals who are quick to voice an opinion have built a home, bought a piece of land, or started any large-scale business investment on Montserrat lately? How many of these non-nationals are employed by Chamber members or employ other nationals or non-nationals?
While it would be futile to try to teach economics and finance in this medium, it is important to point out that a country without a private sector cannot survive. And if the Government allows the private sector to crumble and die, then Montserrat crumbles and dies as well. And no, the private sector and the Chamber members are not greedy, grasping little souls trying to suck your meager little cache of dollars out of your hands. They are trying to keep you employed. If they fail, you have nowhere to work. And that, my people, is what will happen if the Government continues to allow all the money that the private sector and the Chamber members are paying you in salary to continually go out of Montserrat.
If you do all your Xmas shopping in St. Marteen, then no business place on Montserrat can do any business in December. If they can't do any business in December, then they cant pay you in December and they would have to let you go. And when they let you go they can't pay you any severance pay because all the money that they would have hoped to get by doing business on Montserrat would be in St. Marteen and in Antigua.
Let's talk about rights. And at the same time lets talk about your responsibility as a resident or citizen of Montserrat.
For those persons who say how much they love Montserrat and how they not going to leave Montserrat here is your opportunity to prove it. Lets see you stand up and try to keep Montserrat open for business. It is not easy living here and we all acknowledge the price of goods on Montserrat to be astronomically high. But why is that? It is because our market is so small and it gets smaller every time another resident or citizen takes the little money that the businessmen paying them and spends it out of Montserrat. As a citizen of Montserrat if you want to show your allegiance to Montserrat you should support Montserrat. You should support your economy. You should act for the common good of all residents of the country of Montserrat. You do have a right to travel if you wish and shop where you wish. The Government can't stop you. The cancellation of the trip can't stop you. But you must bear in mind that by continuing to exercise these rights that you are not acting in the best interest of your country.
If you want to live in Montserrat you have to sacrifice something. There is always a price for living in Paradise. Adam and Eve learnt that the hard way. You don’t have to. Just as God gave Adam and Eve Paradise, He gave us Montserrat. Please, please be sensible, be reasonable, be a truly caring Montserratian or Montserratian resident. Help us all to stay on Montserrat. Or else the British will be forced to banish us from Paradise because Montserrat will have died because a few of us wanted to do Xmas shopping in St Marteen. Perhaps now you can properly examine whether it is the Chamber member who is selfish or the Private Citizen who is "shortsighted and bad minded".
Montserrat Needs Many More People
Just before the Soufriere Hill eruption in July 1995 Montserrat seemed as though it had weathered the storm, which started with Hurricane Hugo in 1989. The rebuilding process was well on the way, both in physical and economic terms. The first half of 1995 seemed as though we were beginning an economic resurgence that would be the platform for positive growth and prosperity.
Alas, all that hope and optimism came to an abrupt end on the 18th July 1995. Soufriere Hills had begun to erupt and little did we know it would still be erupting in 2002. Little did we know that we would lose 2/3 of our physical space and almost 2/3 of population. The government is now back in grant aid and has tremendous difficulty bridging the budgetary gap without introducing fiscal measures which would be counterproductive. Any such move would only serve to depress the economy further.
By now we all seem to have agreed that one of the fundamental elements of economic revival and recovery is increased population. We need a strategy and plan in place to address this matter and the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been throwing out ideas, which we hope will culminate in a comprehensive plan of action for Government of Montserrat’s consideration.
We have found ourselves in a situation where we only have 4,800 people. The rest have fled to the United Kingdom and to neighbouring Caribbean islands. Many of just less than 5,000 people are from other Caribbean Islands.
At the height of the crisis other Caribbean countries opened their arms and accepted our people. For this we must be eternally grateful. Our people had to run because they had no shelter, no homes and little or no work. As time moved on and our people kept leaving, other Caribbean people kept coming. Despite the volcano it seemed as though we had something better than what they had. They came and helped us in the survival and recovery period while our people ran for cover to more comfortable environments.
We must be grateful for those who came and helped in our time of need. No need to try and push them out now the dust has settled. We need people, lots more people, if our economic recovery and redevelopment is to be realised. Let’s welcome Caribbean people to our shores to help us in this effort.
The efforts to achieve free movement within the OECS is a step in the right direction. However we must be cautious. We must find a way to keep out criminals and those with contagious diseases. Allowing such categories of people in could only erode our labour force and decrease our productivity.
Those who advocate pushing out those who were not born here are dead wrong! Suppose our neighbouring islands had done that at the height of the eruption? But no, they opened their arms and allowed us in! We ought not to be advocating sending Non-Montserratians out except they are criminals or a serious liability. If they are not a burden on Montserrat, we should welcome them and make their stay here comfortable.
To this end, the Government of Montserrat needs to have a declared policy on immigration and to bring our legislation into line to reflect the policy. Government should also design and implement an educational and public relations exercise to explain the policy and elaborate on the wide range of benefits that can accrue to Montserrat with higher population levels. We must remember that our economic survival and expansion, to a large extent will depend on a substantially larger consumer base.
Kenny Cassell
Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry
From honey dips to their new tower
The MVO amasses power
Wielding it with a reckless hand
Governing all throughout the land
“The sky is falling!”, that’s their cry
“And those who stay will surely die!”
They told us to evacuate
That we must not procrastinate.
So say they who’re in the pay
And in league with the old UK.
So now we’re waiting, a week has passed.
Why’d we have to move so fast?
What happens next they haven’t a clue
They simply don’t know what Vulcan will do.
Before they have to eat some crow
I’ll bet they hope the dome will grow
So big that it will surely rally
And send a flow down Belham Valley.
Pasquinata
'Safety First' is not Life, It's Regimented Existence
By Amanda Wreckonwith
I’m so ashamed. After all my brave words and fiery rhetoric, in the end I meekly packed my things and fled my home in order to comply with the government’s demands. When that canned American voice instructed me to “evacuate naiow,” I did just that, grateful to be leaving the hell created not by the volcano, but by the local trucking companies.
At this point I want to make it clear that at no time has Selsi Ltd. ever taken sand from Isles Bay Beach, nor to my knowledge has it been guilty of inflicting misery on others in its daily work. I cannot say the same for the others, however; can you guess who they are? After a heavy ashfall and in continued dry conditions, the other companies’ trucks combined to make life even more wretched for those of us struggling to pack our belongings and vacate our homes as those behemoths relentlessly lumbered through Old Towne and Isles Bay. Suffice it to say that the din and ashy havoc we suffered as we were hounded into exile were unnecessary, intolerable and unforgivable. I may not be entirely fair in damning the truckers alone, though; the Department of Agriculture gave them permission and – who knows? – orders may have come from some highly placed official in the GoM. Money talks, decency walks.
With their tame “scientists” (glorified statisticians), the ruling powers have now all but succeeded in pushing what’s left of the population up to the “safe north,” all in the name of supposedly saving lives. Why do they think the majority didn’t settle in the north in the first place? Because, for a variety of reasons, most preferred the south (of the north). And still do! It remains for the ever-valiant Kleebs and a few other stalwarts to remain in their own homes on their own property in the face of a bully regime, who, under the guise of concern for our safety, in reality may want nothing more than to empty the island. It’s less expensive to send people to England to live (and die slowly) on the dole than to bolster the infrastructure in Montserrat. Perhaps by the time this is printed, even those few remaining will have been driven out by new and equally unjust demands from the various governments “for their own good.” Right. And please, you authoritarians, spare me the predictable feeble excuse of “safety first.” That’s adding insult to injury. We should all face the truth: HMG has no real interest in our safety except insofar as potential liability to itself is concerned.
It would be agreeable to think that the “leadership” of the Government of Montserrat would stand up for the rights of the people who continue to try to live and work here, but from what I witnessed at the meeting in Salem on 7 October, that’s asking too much. Where can we look for a real leader? Any ideas, readers? Next time, let’s try to find someone who at least makes sense. And should this individual possess personal integrity and courage, it would not only be a definite plus, but a novelty as well.
We should make sure that those who hold the reins of power continue to hear our concerns. We should never delude ourselves that they actually care about us or our needs, but for our own sakes we must agitate for our basic human right to live and work where we please. And, as soon as their volcanic crisis excuse erodes along with the dome, we must demand to be permitted to return to our homes. We must ever persevere.
Presidents Message St. Patricks Credit Union Address for ICU Day. 17/10/02
Greetings to our fellow 1.3 Million credit union members of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU). Today we join the 112 million members of the family of the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU ) in more than 90 countries throughout the world to celebrate this year’s International Credit Union ( ICU ) Day under the theme “Credit Unions, Building a Better tomorrow.”
Credit Unions were introduced in the Caribbean some 60 years ago and in Montserrat in 1957.
The Leaders of the movement in the 1920’s thought it a good idea to set aside a special time of year to bring credit union members together to reflect, assess, promote and celebrate credit unions and their achievements. The first credit union day celebration was in January 1927, in the United States. In 1948, it was changed to the third Thursday in October. When WOCCU was formed in 1971, the change was made to International Credit Union Month (October ) and ICU day remained as the third Thursday.
We in Montserrat have participated in this celebration from the beginning of the week with the thought-provoking Credit Union tips aired on Radio Montserrat.
For credit unions Worldwide, the true credit union difference lies in the four core values of :
· Trust
· Access
· Growth
· Self-help
Or TAGS, as I like to coin the phrase. Access to capital and affordable financial resources is a basic human right, enabling millions of people to grow.
In this time of heightened volcanic crisis awareness and at the crossroads of our re-development, I would like to challenge every Montserratian to make a positive contribution to the process.
Remember Credit Unions are changing the world. We are building a better tomorrow.
May every Montserratian at home and abroad have an especially rewarding ICU Day as we all rise to the challenge to support and develop Credit Unions that will provide for a brighter future.
Have a Nice Visit Anyway
You've come at a time episodic,
Our volcano can be sporadic
If you'd stay for a while
On the Emerald Isle,
Prepare for a life that's nomadic.
Remember the SRU?
Reuben says Seismic Research
Should not remain in the lurch;
They were first on the isle,
But then HMG's guile
Pushed Ambeh right off his perch.
Jus wonderin what the people of Montserrat can say they benefit from the Ministry of Agriculture since the new party step in.
Jus wonderin how come it is once in a while you hear some thing from her she don't have anything to tell the people.
Jus wonderin what plans are being put in place for our farmers.
Jus wonderin if a only when there is a launch o’ new products and if the position she holds suits the business.
Jus if UN don't know about M/rat and its humane conditions.
Jus wonderin why the government don't think about getting ash cleaning equipment and stop abusing the low class worker.
Jus wonderin if they think that half of 300 person will want to go in to shelter when people are still in shelter from since 1996.
Jus wonderin about all those people money that went down the drain trying to invest money in tourism.
Jus wonderin what the business man will do since that his heavy equipment's will be sitting down now that Belham is at high risk more than ever.
Jus wonderin how high surges can travel and would it have any effect on Isles Bay Hill.
Jus wonderin why some people usually play ‘dolly house’ sorry for poor in a people country.
Jus wonderin if the ash is good for Public works workers.
Jus wonderin why the MVO report have so much sensationalism.
Jus wonderin who don’t see the similarity with the international media.
Jus wonderin who really give out the sensational information to the international media.
Jus wonderin if we have a experienced scientist on the island.
Jus wonderin why we should be still in shelters after seven years.
Jus wonderin if the government know that shelters are for short term boarding and not long term.
Jus wonderin why the C.M never build apartment complex after all the love and money he claim for.
Jus wonderin why dem business people that have dem garbage in a dem shop no go throw um a New Windward.
Jus wonderin wha some Montserratian people see for grudge so.
Jus wonderin if dem don’t know that it is a disease like cancer and dat de grudgeness e could kill dem or rob dem of dem joy.
Jus wonderin if the private sector's can stop people from spending their money that dem work had for
Jus wonderin if workers are happy with management at the communication company dem.
Jus wonderin why the management at some communication company are providing the service and baring workers from making calls to cellular.
Jus wonderin if one emergency catch one of them pan de job if dem fu run find phone boot fu go mek de call.
Jus wonderin if de bribing of sorts still going on and who a really by the scientist alert to the people in lower Salem to move.
Jus wonderin if Montserrat will be shut down if all of Salem have to move.
Jus wonderin if dem people don’t know that to show open objection to the British will result in punishment one way or the other, just like how Montserrat been punished.
Jus wonderin who on dis earth have control over anyone’s life.
Jus wonderin what will happen when bad news is going out about the volcano and if it will have a big effect on our 40 years of festival.
Jus wonderin how many overseas already pay on the ticket to come Montserrat.
Jus wonderin what de gov’ment plan to do about this bad information when they hire no one to work at the GIS but still paying a salary.
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