BRIEF VISIT BY UK PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE
When in early August this year, Mr. Bernie Grant, Labour MP for Tottenham, visited Montserrat for the first time, he said, "I believe that the previous government has a lot to answer for."
He revealed then that some form of enquiry was likely to be carried out into the volcanic crisis in Montserrat and how it has been handled.
Such a committee has in fact been set up and during a brief visit to Montserrat earlier this week it announced its intentions to deal with the following:
On Thursday, the Committee had several members of the committee in Montserrat. The committee headed by Mr. Bowen Wells (chairman) Conservative MP for Hertford & Stafford had five members on island looking at the operations of the EOC, investigating conditions at shelters, looking at sites for future housing. In addition, they met with the Governor, H.E. Anthony Abbott, the Chief Minister Hon. David S. Brandt, and former Chief Ministers and members of the Legislative Council, Reuben T. Meade and Bertrand B. Osborne.
BRANDT TO APPEAR BEFORE THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
The Chief Minister David Brandt objected to the
short time allotted to him to appear before the committee which,
according to him, "was insufficient time to cover two years
of ongoing volcanic activity and its implications."
Brandt said further: "The committee could not achieve its purpose by firstly spending just one day on the island, and secondly giving me just half an hour to put forward a case for Montserrat."
He requested to appear before the full International Development Committee in the British House of Commons and this was readily agreed.
He also requested copies of the statements made by International Development Minister Clare Short and other officials who have appeared before the Committee in London. The committee took oral evidence from the Rt. Hon. Clare Short MP, Secretary of State for International Development on Tuesday 14, October 1997.
Brandt was adamant as he said, "the recommendations coming out of the report will have long-term consequences for Montserrat and the committee cannot be allowed to come to a conclusion with incomplete statements."
The committee continued its work in Antigua on Friday and Saturday. Their report will be published in November.
Possible Investigations into EOC
EOC Storage area in St Johns
Sources have revealed that Chief Minister David Brandt will carry out preliminary studies to see if an investigation should be requested into the operations of the Emergency Operating Centre (EOC).
The source reveals that the Chief Minister has expressed concern over the allegations made on a program 'Labour Speaks', which is aired on ZJB, and that he is likely to respond to the call for an investigation.
In two such airings this week the programs hosted by the General Secretary of MAWU he made allegations into the conduct of officers running the organisation, making references to complaints that have been reported for some time by residents and visitors. He recalled the setting up of the EOC. "This unit was set up to coordinate emergency relief, shelters, the evacuation process and the distribution of relief items among other things._ However, the EOC seems to be operating as a company that is privately owned and not one to which the public has access in an emergency."
Following are some of the statements he made about the complaints: He offered some suggestions on the way:
"For more than two years people have been complaining about the rude and indifferent way some EOC personnel are treating them and this union has received more than its share of complaints from its members who lives in shelters or who have been to the EOC seeking assistance. From all reports it appears that some EOC personnel are hogging the items under EOC control for themselves and their chosen few. What we know is that when these commodities came in they were said to be for the use of Montserratians. These commodities are so closely held and not distributed that from all reports there is much pulverization of mildew and other things being overcome by corrosion.
"Recently, I was made to understand that the container with the mattresses that came for the use of the people is infested with little insects, to wit bugs. These are the same mattresses that when people went and asked for a mattress they were told that there were none. If the people who contributed these things for the use of Montserratians were only aware of the distribution process and the wastage, I believe some of them would drop dead in their tracks.
"Last week I was made to understand that a gentleman from a shelter went to the EOC looking for a blanket only to be told none were available. This is inhumane of the official who told him this. Would it not have been more humane to give him one of the many mildewed blankets and tell him to wash before use? I would like to suggest here that blankets be issued to persons who are relocating to England as this would help in relieving the financial burdens at this time, now that the English winter season has set in. At the same time, this will reduce the number of blankets that may rot from mildew in the containers."
Referencing some other complaints, he continued:
"The flashlights, battery operated lanterns, saws, hammers, gas stoves and their regulators, refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, cutlasses, deodorants and other items too many to mention; where, how and to whom are they being issued? I would bet that some people never even knew that items such as these came into Montserrat as relief articles. Montserratians have much pride, especially those who work on a regular basis, and going begging is difficult for them. The fact is, when someone whether a worker or not goes to the EOC to ask for something, it is out of necessity and to help make life a little more comfortable, that he does so. If officials doubt some person's need, let them investigate properly first before refusing to issue."
He made calls on the EOC staff: " For heaven's sake will the staff of the EOC please assist the people when they go seeking assistance and do it with some sort of compassion and courtesy and not with arrogance and disdain."
And since his concern is for the worker, he said , making a very relevant point: "Look after the working class, for if workers are dejected or discontented they cannot produce and to have our workforce declining further will be suicidal."
Labour Speaks then calls for an in-depth investigation into the running of the EOC, adding:. "Let us look at the telephone bills, it is alleged that persons call their families in England on a regular basis and speak for minutes on end. Who foots the bills for these private calls? Is it a government who is already financially strapped? Let the alleged shipping of EOC goods to neighbouring islands for sale in privately owned or sponsored shops be investigated. We need to know why, when people, especially those from the shelters, ask for things like mattresses and blankets they are refused and yet blankets are allegedly to be sent to England for certain families."
He expressed due respects to the director of the EOC, "a man for whom we have the greatest respect and whose integrity we question not.." ending the series of allegations by calling on the Governor, "to launch an investigation into the running of the EOC to try to ascertain whether or not these allegations are founded."
"Let us have the EOC organised to operate in a way that would be to the benefit of the people and not for the chosen friends and families of some. Let us have nepotism, favoritism and self eradicated from the system," he concluded.
These first remarks prompted responses from officers at the EOC, who added fire by saying that it is easier to dump the relief items than share them freely to deserving people. This came denial of the allegations and condemnation of the program which addressed the concerns.
It is not known how the Chief Minister will address the situation, but it is believed that it is more than likely that some questions will be asked and verifications sought for the allegations.
"No Time for Politeness"
Anyone taking the time to think at all of the International Development Committee which visited Montserrat this week and fail to note the calamitous side of the affair, may well be hoodwinked.
Several weeks ago, Labour MP Bernie Grant, who is a member of this committee confided to us that he had supported the British plan to take every Montserrat resident off this volcano-destruct island. After seeing the island, he said he hand changed his mind. But it is difficult to perceive how this has changed much if at all. We should not be fooled with the beginning of construction of housing overdue by at least 18 months. The plan here is no different from the company in business who knows and plans that it will lose money as it prepares for big gains further down the road. It is the kind of investment plan our government(s) never seem to grasp.
The only successful operations that have taken place since the eruption began in 1995 to date are - the jetty and the evacuation plans as well some school buildings, which are yet to serve their purpose.
The roads are still deplorable and every car owner must plan for the huge expenses they must already be facing.
There is not a single development plan that is not delayed for some reason or the other. True, for every delay there is an important explanation, but almost an unnecessary one, particularly when the circumstances are given any little consideration. Clare Short got it right when she said that there were far too many players involved.
Right here in Montserrat, it is said we have three governments: the Governor, Aid Management and local government.
The time seems more than ripe for the question of independence to be seriously discussed and considered. It is time for the negotiations to begin. And let's not forget, October was the month that they were going to give us our options for our future. Yes, why not make independence one of them? Why should we not make it one of our options?
Already we have the stone throwing in the British Parliament. That suggestion about paying off the rest of us may well begin the process under which the British Government can begin the process of independence. It may just well be a perfect time for them to make available the money for us to go and build our own house and take of our children.
This "wait and see" game has gone on for too long, and our government has fallen prey for too long. Again it should be asked, just as some involved in the problem suggest, is it too late for us to make a go for our future development? Do we have enough people to do it. Well, that is merely a problem to be aware of. Action for remedy is simple, let us get on with it. The days for politeness are just about over. Far too many mistakes have been made.
It is no wonder that the matter of the 'Wadge Report' will not go away. We must not let it go away until the British Government admit and accept total responsibility for the total disaster which we now face and do more than commit funds.
That families and businesses have lost millions in Plymouth is even a worse disgrace and someone has to take responsibility for that. It is here that those at home and those abroad have to be sure about. The losses could have been avoided and should have been avoided. We may have to go back to 1986, but we must begin to address the problem.
The challenge is with us to also stop the 'wait and see' game. If we do not stop the stalls and delays we will suffer even more and those of us determined to make Montserrat a home for our children to one day return to will find ourselves and very lonely and broken people.
If Clare Short is honest as she is now trying to be, she will cut out all those players and get on with firstly fulfilling their commitment, and then aid us with our future.
Sir,
Please permit me space to reflect on a few of the administrative decisions that have contributed in no small measure to backwardness and discomfort on our island.
Initially, the line, which marks the beginning of the safe zone, was placed at Nantes River. That was so when the Salem Committee held its first meeting to discuss the current volcano crisis. By the second meeting that line had been pushed southwards to Belham River. The evacuation of Plymouth was no mock exercise and a serious attempt by Government to build an Administrative Centre (as recommended by some civil servants and others) early in the crisis between Cudjoe Head and St. John's could have shown the business community the shape of things to come.
There was to be no such pragmatic action. General elections were around the corner, and the then Chief Minister, the Hon. Reuben T. Meade, was the sitting member for Central. It served his purpose to encourage the business community to spend vast sums of money in his constituency.
For an elected member of Government to seek an advantage for the area he represents is no disgrace. But when an active volcano threatens an island of 39 square miles, to place the temporary capital on the edge instead of taking it as far north as possible, is an act of stupidity for which the Hon. Reuben T. Meade deserves the ignoble prize.
Governor Savage who was eager to work with Mr. Meade, persuaded the British Government to build houses for 1,000 people, but Mr. Meade objected. He was confident that a Caribbean Community, short of cash and abundant in economic and social problems should have been allowed to provide the houses. It is difficult to follow Mr. Meade's logic. If CARICOM could have provided houses for 1,000 persons while HMS provided houses for another thousand, all well and good. The housing problem could have been solved. Could Mr. Meade's dumbness be matched in another millennium?
Early in the crisis, Mrs. Ruby Wade-Bramble, the then member for Northern, tabled a motion which called on government to look at the feasibility of establishing a new capital in the north based on publicly owned Little Bay. The Reuben Meade Administration, in its obsession with the virtues of blindness, could not adopt and support an opposition motion which made sense. The former, famous Director of Development did not share the view that such a motion, if unanimously passed, could have been a rallying point for development aid.
Unlike Hurricane Hugo, Mr. Meade's voice is a pleasure to listen to. He is smooth and fluent. As a person he can be engaging and charming. But in terms of administrative performance, R. T. Meade has proven to be a disaster on the scale of Hugo and the current volcanic eruption.
Howell Bramble
Blame the Bureaucracy, not the Passengers
As a passenger on the ill-fated day trip to Antigua on Saturday 11th October, it was pleasing to hear Minister Rupert Weekes announce a review of procedures which will hopefully improve arguments in future. It was dis-pleasing to hear Montserratians accused of drunkenness and disorderly conduct which I did not see, despite watching closely.
I arrived at Little Bay at 6:45 a.m. and left there to return here at 7:30 p.m. In between I had 3« hours free time in Antigua, and 2« hours were spent waiting - at check-in/immigration for the boat to arrive, immigration in Antigua, customs on return. All of these areas could be significantly improved, but I will concentrate on events in Antigua where the procedures seemed designed to cause maximum inconvenience.
We arrived in Antigua 11:10 a.m. Our passports had been collected by the Montserrat Immigration Officers travelling with us. They then went into the immigration office at Heritage Quay for processing. Then they called out the names on the passports to return them. I was fortunate and had my passport by 11:30 a.m. I could expect it was 12:00 when the last person had their passport returned.
We had to return to Heritage Quay by 3:00 p.m. For day trippers, immigration had kept the second yellow immigration form for use in creating the passenger's list. Other passengers had checked in and handed over the immigration form when buying their ticket.
At 3:50, ten minutes before we were due to depart, a single immigration officer appeared at the entrance to the jetty clutching the immigration forms comprising the passenger list. His purpose, presumably, was to check that everyone who said they were going to leave actually did so. It remains unclear what immediate action he was going to take should anyone fail to board.
He spent 15 minutes calling out names from his immigration forms. I was ten feet away and hardly heard a name. About six people went past him in this time. Then he appeared to give up but no, he was going to try again., at the gangway of the Ferry.
By the time I boarded at 4:45 p.m. there were about 30 people on board. The boat was eventually around three-quarters full, about 130-160 people). A few minutes later, a passenger took over from the immigration officer to call out the names, to try to speed things along.
Just 5:00 p.m., the captain appeared, concerned that there were still around 100 people waiting to board as he wanted to dock in Montserrat in daylight. The message seemed to be 'get them on board quickly or I'm going without them".
The agent and the Montserrat and the Antigua immigration officials conferred. It was suggested that the Antiguans travel to Montserrat and complete their processing on board. They refused. Eventually the whole process was abandoned. Passengers handed their tickets in as they boarded, and that was all. We eventually left around 5:30 p.m.
It was not surprising that having been through this bureaucratic nonsense that people were frustrated when they eventually were allowed on board. Their behaviour was remarkably good under the circumstances. It is sad to say that when they did voice their frustration, the Montserrat immigration staff chose to get involved. Why, I do not know. The process was indefensible - if it had gone smoothly the best that could have been achieved was two passengers per minute or about 1« hours boarding time. In my view if they had a purpose here at all it was to make sure the Montserrat government were informed of the inadequacy of what was going on.
As for drunkenness, I didn't see any. Sure, some of the younger people had had a drink, and an odd person finished a beer on board. But once we left the vast majority settled down for a quiet return trip. If anyone did raise their voice, it was to the Montserrat Immigration Officers, who it appeared sadly, continued to try to defend the indefensible.
One final thought. The Ferry in conjunction with the return fare, opens up mass travel for Montserratians at a reasonable price for the first time. It is clearly popular on the number travelling list Saturday showed. The move to allow a weekend return announced by Minister Weekes is a clear next step. The final step is to recognise that demand will increase in the run-up to Christmas, and to allow the return on any day..
John.
Many people are hoping that comes 26th February, 1998, Montserrat will already be thinking of the volcano as a bad memory. They are hoping that there will be enough accommodation to house the many eclipse chasers with telescopes, star gazers, space lovers and nature lovers who wish to be here on that day.
A recent astronomical publication, announced that a solar eclipse will be visible around noon on that date.
Sections of Venezuela, Aruba, Montserrat and of course the Caribbean Sea will be prime viewing areas
On February 26, 1998, the moon's shadow - the umbra - will course a nearly hundred-mile-wide path across the earth, through the equatorial Pacific, Colombia, the Caribbean and Mid-Atlantic. Within this 8,700-mile-long track - the "zone of totality" - the eerie viewing experience will be up to several minutes of sudden darkness. And, where clear skies allow, the back-lit moon, a panoply of stars, and all five "naked eye" planets should become visible.
Many people had booked rooms in Montserrat for the occasion and undoubtedly they will be hoping that the trip to Montserrat will still be possible.
In very early April of this year, volcanic activity took an upswing turn over the Galways Soufriere, changing forever the landscape from there right down through White River, south of St. Patrick's village and down towards O'Garros.
The resulting dome collapses of the wall and pyroclastic flows had obliterated and filled up the Great Alps Waterfall. Over the past weekend the site of Radio Antilles at O'Garro's where their generators, antennae and transmitters were located was totally obliterated by pyroclastic flows which reached to the sea.
The buildings which stood on the site have been totally buried by millions of tons of debris. All the technical equipment at the site had been taken out months ago and stored on a safe site in the north of the island.
Classes at the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) have now started following the summer vacation.
Forms one to five (there is no 6th form this year) are at school occupying three sites. Forms one and two are at Look-Out. Form three in a T1-11 building at Brades, and forms four and five are at the Brades Pentecostal Church.
Classes were very late in starting because of the heightened and disastrous volcanic activity during June through August. School buildings had to be occupied when Cork Hill was evacuated and more recently Salem also. The uncertain and late start forced many parents to relocate outside Montserrat in order to get their children continued education. A good majority of these have taken up the recently well-run assisted voluntary evacuation out of Montserrat.
New school buildings at Lookout still being used as shelters
Sources in the Ministry of Education have said that they are catering for about 250 secondary school children and a like number of primary school children. The primary schools are expected to be up and going by the end of October. The Ministry reports prior to the mass evacuation of children there were over 750 secondary school children attending classes. Today it is reported that close to 200 students have begun to attend classes.
Practical classes for 4th and 5th forms only are carried out at the Salem campus of MSS.
Two British specialists left Montserrat on Tuesday after volunteering several days of their expertise looking at the protection of wildlife on island during the volcanic eruption. A representative of the Jersey Wildlife Trust and one from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds spent five days on island looking at the plight of wildlife and the Montserrat Oriole, the national bird of Montserrat. They met with Ministry of Agriculture and Montserrat National Trust officials. Their report is expected shortly.
Reports coming out of Nevis on Tuesday this week said that Legislators from the tiny island voted to withdraw from its federation with St. Kitts, the first step in breaking up the Eastern Caribbean state.
The combined nation's parliament must now present proposals for a new constitution, after which a referendum on secession must be held in Nevis within six months.
Formerly British colonies, St. Kitts and Nevis became independent as a single nation on Sept. 19, 1983.
But Nevis has had its own legislature and the right to secede and so cheers erupted in the gallery of the Nevis legislature when the island's five lawmakers voted unanimously for the break after hours of debate, that ended early Tuesday morning.
Residents of Nevis have long wanted to split from St. Kitts, and it is said that they reluctantly joined it in a federation after the islands gained independence from Britain in 1983.
The federation's Prime Minister, Denzil Douglas, has said he would not oppose secession, and most residents of St. Kitts appeared indifferent to losing their tiny neighbor.
One legislator who argued for a more gradual secession said: "People must be equipped with good,accurate...honest information about the facts and what independence means for Nevis."
Nevis Premier Vance Amory says Nevis contributes 38 percent of the Federation's total tax revenues while the federal government spends only 21 percent of the budget on the smaller island.
Nevis also was reliant on sugar, cotton and coconuts for revenue, but both islands now depend increasingly on tourism, offshore banking and light- and high-technology industries for income.
One of the more serious failures of the governments during this volcanic crisis, the worst experienced by Montserrat in this century, is the lack of concern and care for the human, social and economic needs of our people.
In June this year the Bertrand Osborne government forced Rams Endee to close its supermarket, doors to the public, when it refused to renew or grant six work permits to its non-Montserratian employees. At that time Mr. Manu Chandiramani, owner of the supermarket said he was being forced to close after being told he had "seven days to replace those employees with Montserratians."
It was well believed at the time that the government moves had little to do with the hiring of Montserratians. For sure, it is now known that it is not job shortages that are chasing Montserratians away.
Today with an evacuation order in force for areas south of Nantes River, just inches further than where the supermarket is located, the authorities, including the Governor, the Chief Minister and the Commissioner of Police have in writing told Rams he cannot do retail business with the public. It must be said that the supermarket building is one of the best buildings to be in, should there be a rock or gravel fall out from the volcano, since scientists expect the other hazards to be very unlikely.
Besides the location is such that it places the building high and almost away from the path considered by the scientists to be dangerous.
On 29th September, 1997, Governor Abbot wrote that in consultation with the Chief Minister, "In recognition of the service you provide to the people of Montserrat during these difficult days, it has been suggested, that if you so wish you could continue trading as a wholesale to other retailers on the island. This would greatly reduce the numbers of the community coming into the danger zone."
The Commissioner of Police immediately followed with his letter. "You should notify me in writing of those other retailers who purchase wholesale from you. Those persons not recorded on such a list will not be permitted entry to the "Exclusion Zone."
In addition to the fact that the hazards and dangers seem minimal, that the building virtually sits on the line ending the Exclusion Zone, there is obviously not a single consideration being given to the convenience or inconvenience caused to the public, or the economics of the matter.
These authorities have continued to show this obsession about saving lives, while they continue to cause people to die slowly in and out of Montserrat and suffer indignity in all kinds of ways, showing absolutely no caring.
WHERE IS THE APOLOGY
They should be apologising to all those businesses and individuals who have had to relocate several times because of the hopeless advice or lack thereof and inaction over the past 26 months. And then Rams is unnecessarily reduced to wholesale only, while those who wish to walk into Salem can do so freely by the hundreds.
It is time that local government put into effect the 3-way management of this crisis and understand what was laid down from the beginning and never to date adhered to: "the maximum level of risk that
is acceptable by the individual or the community in preference to the inconvenience and hardship associated with implementing the evasive measures."
It is quite belittling of the authorities to believe that the few people left on island will do other than go two feet over the exclusion line to do anything else other than shop at this time.
Thinking about it, on the rare occasions I have been inside the building, I am yet to see more than a dozen people shopping at any one time, and that is some good while ago.
The report is entitled 'Health and Health Services implications of the Montserrat crisis'. It was prepared by Sir Kenneth Calman, the British Government's Chief Medical Officer and a team of senior health care professionals and specialists from the United Kingdom. It reflects their impressions gathered during a five-day visit to Montserrat last month to evaluate public health and health services at the request of the Government of Montserrat.
Early media reactions to the comprehensive report, which is 13 pages long, focused almost entirely on a paragraph of 2« lines. It alluded to gastro-intestinal disease, meningitis, tuberculosis, childhood infectious diseases and dengue fever. This minute section was assailed as irrelevant to Montserrat's volcanic dangers, on the ground that tuberculosis, dengue fever and the other afflictions are not direct results of pyroclastic flows, ash falls or explosive eruptions.
The report does not suggest that they are. To understand the context in which those health problems were raised, it is helpful to look at the complete document.
After describing the onset of volcanic activity on Montserrat and the resultant evacuations, relocations and emigrations, the CMO and his team sought to summarize what they found to be threats to public health on the island.
In their order of priority, they include:
This last category was the frame in which the reference to those afflictions appeared. After deploring shelter overcrowding, family and community disruption, inadequate disposal of solid and liquid wastes, questionable water supplies, lack of recreation and schooling, and mounting levels of stress, the report observed that outbreaks of such diseases could arise in those circumstances.
It would be unfortunate if the remainder of this report should be ignored or discredited by the misguided ridicule of this brief paragraph. There is much in the report that Montserratians should be pleased to finally have acknowledged.
The risks of death and serious injury from the volcano have been evident to all Montserratians since the tragedies of June 25. While many quarrel with draconian measures their government and the British Government and the British Governor have taken ostensibly to protect them from risk, all understand from personal observation the deadly potential of pyroclastic flows and explosive eruptions.
Emphasis on the dangers of heavy concentrations of ash and the advisability of wearing masks during heavy ash falls are appropriate. The report's concern about the potential dangers of crystalline silica also is appropriate, given the lack of available data on hazards posed under matching volcanic situations.
While it is important to persuade Montserratians to protect themselves from inhaling ash, the emphasis on the dangers of their contracting silicosis lacks supporting documentary evidence. As a result, some Montserratians may react in panic when calm concern would serve them better.
Encyclopedias describe silicosis as an 'occupational disease' suffered by labourers exposed daily to high levels of silica in mining, construction or manufacturing over 'prolonged periods of time.' Those prolonged periods are generally considered by the medical profession to be 10, 15 or 20 years.
Of course unnecessary exposure should be avoided. And Montserratians already suffering any sort of respiratory conditions should protect themselves as much as possible, even to the point of fleeing ashy environments. But healthy Montserratians who take proper precautions against inhaling the ash should not lie awake at night wondering whether they already have developed an incurable case of silicosis.
What is most important for Montserratians, whether here or abroad, is the report's emphasis on what it calls the island's 'inadequate health care system. This would be a damning indictment, volcano or no volcano.
It describes the temporary hospital premises at St. John's as 'grossly substandard'. The report observes that some surgical and complex procedures are performed by medical staff not always accredited. It describes the lack of rehabilitation and social activities for older people, the inadequate sanitation of the hospital's waste disposal system and the one-mile distance of hospital wards from the operating theatre.
Having summarized these observations, the CMO's team offers a series of recommendations for immediate and long-term improvements.
On volcanic dangers, they call for a health plan to improve risk management and evacuation procedures, greater public education, wider use of masks and hard hats, a mass casualty plan in case of a large-scale event, and disaster-preparedness for future buildings in the north.
They propose continued stress of immunization against communicable diseases, broadened vector control, prompt improvement of solid and liquid waste disposal, and new safeguards for the island's water. Their report stresses the movement of people from overcrowded shelters to individual housing as a priority, and calls for recreational and educational facilities for children and greater support for those persons in institutional care.
All of this, the CMO's team declares, hinges on what it calls "the most important recommendation made by the CMO's group." That is the appointment of a programme manager to implement the total health plan.
"This person," the report says, "should be empowered to manage and take any action necessary to implement the action plan and should report directly to the Governor and the Executive Council, liaise closely with the Permanent Secretary and be located in the Ministry of Health."
Up to today the ferry has not run for the third consecutive day because of high sea swells. The jetty at Little Bay has been closed to shipping because of the high seas.
Former Chief Minister Osborne must remember when it was suggested that plans be put in place for those days when the ferry could not travel, but Osborne said that everyone knew that during the hurricane season, the seas around Montserrat were calmest. He must have given some thought to the problem and should now pass that on to his partners.
"That is so much like so many other things where this government treats everything in isolation," an irate passenger remarked when they had to return home for a third day running.
In a related piece of information, the ferry has carried 8,142 passengers since the inception of the service. 5,037 have traveled from Montserrat to Antigua and 3105 in the opposite direction.
The Caribbean Community (Caricom) is keeping its commitment to build thirty houses on Montserrat.
According to Officials at the Caricom Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana the prefabricated units have been ordered from the Government of Cuba at concessionary rates.
The British Government, through the Aid Management Office here, will put in infrastructure for the village.
Chief Minister the Honourable David Brandt has asked the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Right Honourable Percival Patterson, for assistance in carrying out the project.
Prime Minister Patterson is responding by sending a contingent from the Jamaica Defence Force to Montserrat to help construct the houses.
The lack of housing is still the most pressing problem facing the island.
Apart from the Caricom Village the Government has responded to the situation by providing loans of up to $150,000 for individuals who wish to build homes in the north. A $30,000 self-help programme has also been initiated to assist low-income persons.
Other projects include the construction of 250 prefabricated and permanent houses funded by the British Government.
It is estimated now that three-quarters of Montserrat's 11,000 population have left the island since volcanic activity began on 18th July, 1995.
The Government is finally catering for the population by being in the process of building residential and business centres in the north of the island.
Shortage of Workers in Montserrat
The Minister of Communications & Works, Hon. Rupert Weekes, said on ZJB radio this week that there is a shortage of construction workers in Montserrat. He reported that he had recently visited Antigua and found an interest amongst Montserratian workers based there in returning to help rebuild the island.
It is envisaged that when the Brown & Roots Housing Scheme phase 2 starts at Look-Out, it will be possible for workers to be brought in on a daily basis by the ferry and then return to Antigua each evening. Mr. Weekes reported that Government is looking at the timings of the ferry to make this a possibility.
Phase 2 of the housing scheme calls for the construction of over 200 permanent concrete houses at Look-Out, with the first units ready by year end.
Block Making Plant Ready to be Relocated
This issue has baffled the best minds in Montserrat, but with the help of scientific advice, it is said that representatives of M.S. Osborne Ltd. are attempting finally to remove their concrete block making plant currently situated in Upper Dagenham, Plymouth, deep in the exclusion zone.
Management sources said that they had planned to move the equipment into the safe zone long ago, but could get no word from the Planning Unit as to a suitable place in the north to locate the block plant.
Now all is set to go, but plans are continually thrown aside as it becomes more difficult to plan around the activities of the volcano.
The block making plant is becoming more urgent and is needed to alleviate the current shortage of building blocks on island and the high cost of importing blocks from overseas.
Mr. Cedric Osborne says that they have been quite fortunate in that the pyroclastic flows had not impacted the area where the plant is located, which is almost under the Dagenham Mountain. "Except for ash, the flows had not come above the road," he said.
He confirmed that workers have been allowed in for very short periods in conjunction with scientific advice and in between explosions. He said that the scientists are waiting for the explosive cycle to follow a more regular pattern before making final attempts to move the machinery, which have already been dismantled.
Will They Practice What they Preach
Roles and Responsibilities
Volcanic crisis management is a three-way affair between the scientists monitoring the volcano, the administrative authorities and the public. Immense collaborative effort is required between the scientific team and the administrative authorities in order to develop, implement and maintain plans to manage risk and reduce losses. It is first necessary for the two groups to each have well defined responsibilities.
Having done this, in order to function as a team, it is necessary to build a good working relationship which is facilitated by clear and effective dialogue and constant communication. It is also necessary for each team member to know and understand how each other functions on the team and to have an appreciation for the strength and weaknesses of each other in order to optimise the team output. The MVO scientists and the administrative authorities meet weekly in several forums. The two top government officials attend one of the MVO science meetings each week and the Chief Scientist participates in the Volcano Executive Group and the Volcano Management Support Group meetings that are held weekly.
The lead scientists and managers/decision makers on the above committees also interact informally and socially at different levels on a regular basis.
Regardless of how good the risk management and emergency plans are, they can only be effective if individuals and the communities understand them and cooperate. The emergency measures recommended or imposed by the civil authorities will receive the active participation as a whole, only if the public is motivated to participate. From the public perspective, the two major factors influencing the decision whether to evacuate or reoccupy a particular community are:
The perception of the level of hazardand the attendant risk, either by individual members of the community, the civil administrators or by scientists monitoring the volcano, and Cognizance of the full consequences of evacuation.
Since the relocation of Cork Hill, and later Salem, the exodus of residents have seriously, further impacted on the population.
The cry is going up louder now to stop the depopulation exercise as the crunch of the shortage of workers in just about every field becomes more difficult the voluntary evacuation scheme is about the best well organised business in Montserrat presently.
Observers have noted that no expense is too much to meet the requirements and nothing is spared and seemingly no questions asked.
The Royal Montserrat Police Force's Immigration Department has reported that from June 28, 1997 to the present time there has been a net total loss of 2299 residents from Montserrat.
Of these 1457 have left island under the phased voluntary relocation scheme. So far 3,800 persons have registered under the scheme.
The Aid Management Office (AMO) produced the following press release on Thursday evening:
"The first phase of the Brown and Root housing project is nearing completion. Fifty modular housing units being erected at the Davy Hill site will be ready for occupation by the end of October.
Davy Hill "immediate" housing project nearing completion
The services developed for the first phase of the project have been designed with expansion capability to accommodate future housing development in the area.
Sewage treatment tank on it's way to the site
The second phase of the Brown and Root Housing Project is also gaining momentum. Fifty block work houses designed by local architect, Alford Dyett, are to be constructed at Look-Out Yard. Five local building contractors (S Cassell, A Weekes, A. Duberry, W.Tuitt, and E Galloway) have started work on site with more to follow (W Shortte, and H.Robinson)
In related news, the Government of Montserrat, through the Aid Management Office have procured the services of a housing allocation consultant, who after broad consultation with the
public and private sectors will make recommendations for allocation procedures and policies for the housing stock being constructed.
Consistent with stated Government policy these allocation procedures will take into account of the length of time that relocated persons have been housed in shelters. It is anticipated that that the first houses will be available for occupation and assigned by November 1, 1997.
Credit Unions Celebrate Credit Union Day
On Thursday, October 16, over one million credit union members in the Caribbean joined the worldwide Credit Union community in celebrating International Credit Union Day.
The Day which is celebrated annually on the third Thursday of October, marks the birth of the Credit Union Movement and its continued contribution to socio-economic development.
The theme of this year's celebrations was "Credit Unions The World Wide Choice" and events to mark the occasion included Rallies, Award Ceremonies, School Debates, Credit Union Open-day and Educational Workshops.
The Global Credit Union Movement which has its headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, has assets of approximately 379 billion US dollars and membership of approximately 89 million.
Address to the Nation by Chief Minister
Following is the full text of a radio address by the Honourable Chief Minister, David Brandt on Friday, October 10, 1997, on Radio Montserrat (ZJB).
Fellow Montserratians let me assure you that while you may not have heard from me recently we have not been silent in our efforts to improve your conditions and paving the way for our continued habitation of our beloved country.
I will be meeting this weekend, in Anguilla, with our colleagues of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank Monetary Council and will provide a full report upon my return. This meeting has implications not only for the local economy, but for the OECS sub-region of which Montserrat is a part.
Let me take this opportunity to address several of your concerns and, at the same time, up-date you on some of the projects and programmes we are working on during the current volcanic crisis.
First, I know many of you are concerned about the ash that has been falling in the north. The scientists have explained that this is caused by a shift in wind patterns.
The Montserrat Volcano Observatory is monitoring ash concentrations closely but at the same time prevention is better than cure and I urge all residents from the central and northern zones to wear ash masks at all times when outdoors or indoors when cleaning.
A related activity is a study on the health sector which was conducted recently by a team led by Britain's Chief Medical Officer Sir Kenneth Calman. Copies of the report are being made available through the public library and other government offices.
Among the recommendations of the report is the establishment of a new health care system for Montserrat, which will provide a high standard of primary care, training for health care professionals and enhancing our emergency health response systems. The Government is looking at these recommendations as we regard the health of the population as a serious matter. The consideration of additional arrangements for the provision of secondary health care off-island would also be a matter for public input and discussion, since it has wider national implications.
Let me take this opportunity to applaud both our medical, nursing and environmental health staff for maintaining the island's usual high standard of health and clean environment.
My fellow Montserratians, there is no need for any alarm over the outbreak of communicable diseases on Montserrat. Despite the difficult conditions, we can still boast of a better state of health than in some so-called first world countries. My people please try not to be overly alarmed by propaganda in the media over the question of living safely on Montserrat.
There are however people who will continue, for their own reasons, to sensationalize and promote widespread views about an off-island evacuation en masse.
Many of you have signed up for the Voluntary Evacuation Programme and will be travelling over the next several weeks or months. I know it is difficult for you to leave your home and continue life in a foreign place. We as a Government would like you to stay. My Government is working tirelessly to put the necessary infrastructure in place that would make life as comfortable as comfortable as possible on the island. If you however, need to take a well-deserved vacation, do plan to make the best of this opportunity, and do return. Whichever your choice, Montserrat can only survive if those at home and abroad remain united in our endeavours.
My people, please be warned about moving to the UK on any permanent basis. There are several reasons why staying at home is the best option:
Let me update you on a few other activities, which are critical to our well-being on which your government has been acting on your behalf and from which you can benefit.
Housing
Just this week, we announced that loans up to EC$150,000 will be made available to those who wish to buy land and build in the north. These loans will be given at extremely low interest and will be disbursed through the Bank of Montserrat. Those of you who do not qualify are not being left out. Up to EC$30,000 in building materials will be given to you so that you can build your own house. Over 100 persons have so far benefited from this œ6.3 million programme. I understand that some of you cannot afford the labour even if you have the materials and so we have requested assistance of free labour from regional defence forces. It is my understanding as well that there has been a delay in the programme and many of you are still waiting for assistance. I have asked our British partners to release the funds so that you can get on with the business of building your homes.
We are making progress on other fronts as well. Fifty prefabricated houses at Davy Hill are due to be completed by the 19th of this month. Once this programme is finished accommodation will be provided for up to 200 persons. These units will be distributed on the basis of those who first evacuated during the crisis, whether they are in shelters or private homes.
You may have also noticed that work has started on the permanent houses at Lookout. This project will provide several hundred persons with a place to live. Let me emphasise that this government is focusing on quality permanent housing as opposed to temporary shelters.
Just recently at a meeting in Barbados CARICOM reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of a CARICOM Village. Arrangements for the village are on a fast-track following the second meeting of the regional resource team in Barbados on September 24. The concrete prefabricated units are being purchased by CARICOM from the Cuban Government at concessionary rates. The infrastructure for the site has not started but I have every confidence that the British will live up to their responsibility and put the infrastructure in place so as not to delay this project. The British are aware of our timetable for the CARICOM Village and they have recognised that every additional unit of housing helps to ease the great pressure in the north. With the coming on stream of the 200 houses at Lookout there will be a shortage of labour. Following my presentation Minister Weekes will share with you one of the initiatives we have undertaken to address this problem.
Port and other CDB Loans
I have requested of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) that Montserrat's loan portfolio be reviewed. This includes the funds for our jetty at Port Plymouth, student and other loans. I am pleased to Report that a process has begun which would in the first instance move the funds from OCR to STF category. This means Students and Montserrat in general will pay only 2«% interest on all loans as opposed to 6«%. Having achieved this review we will continue to work towards reducing or eliminating most of our debts. We have also been able, after discussions with the CDB, to gain approval for three new roads. Acting upon my request for CARICOM to represent us in the international arena, I am also pleased to report the interest of Sweden in constructing a school on Montserrat and of Japan's response to some of our emergency needs through the CARICOM Secretariat.
Let me take this opportunity to publicly accept and thank our friends and colleagues of CARICOM who have a shared and vested interest in Montserrat. We are also grateful and express our thanks to the British Government and People and in particular the hard working British officials on island for their able support.
Thanks to our public servants for their untiring efforts in adverse conditions. In a subsequent broadcast I will address their concerns and conditions of service.
Small Business
We have negotiated a package with the British Government for the small business sector which will come on stream later this month. Through this scheme, small business operators will be able to obtain loans of up to EC$150,000 at low interest.
In parting, let me leave you with the words of music of the Black Stalin of Trinidad which says in part- "We can make it if we try."
"The race is not always won by the fastest runner, but sometimes by those who just keep running."
"A turn in the road is not the end of the road unless you fail to make the turn."
"Worrying about what's right is always more important than worrying about who's right."
"If you are constantly looking back, chances are pretty good you'll fall into a hole ahead."
"If you have tried to do something but couldn't, you are far better off than if you had tried to do nothing and succeeded."
"There are two types of fools: Those who trust everyone and those who trust no one."
"You never get ahead of anyone as long as you try to get even with him."
"The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive." Albert Einstein
The Worldwide Choice
As we approach the next millennium; the stark realities of globalising and liberalising market economies present Caribbean Citizens with a new set of options for improving our living standards. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Financial Service market.
The choices that have emerged and the ease of access which available technology provides are pressing financial services providers to modernise and vary their products to suit a more discerning population in an increasingly competitive environment, while maintaining quality and affordability.
It is therefore heartening to note that despite the revolution that has occurred in the global financial services market, Credit Unions have remained the Worldwide Choice of over 100 million persons.
In our Caribbean Movement, as we continue to celebrate the attainment of notable landmarks by a number of National Movements, we must seek to ensure that the choice made by over one (1) million Caribbean Citizens who are Credit Union Members, is rewarding through the creation and maintenance of safe, sound and sustainable credit union systems.
As we plan for stability and continued growth in the future, we must accord top priority to making maximum use of the business opportunities provided under the new regulatory framework. We must expand the concept of shareholding to more citizens, especially our youth. But above all, we must exploit economies of scale to the maximum, so that we can continue to exceed the expectations of our proud members who have made credit unions their institutions of choice.
'Happy Credit Union Day’
The explosive eruption phase at the Soufriere Hills Volcano, which started on September 22, continues with a total of 65 eruptions up to Thursday. The regular pattern of the explosions has fallen down and they are now occurring at irregular intervals.
Pyroclastic flows occur after each explosion and the associated ash clouds travel to heights of between 10,000 and 20,000 feet. For most of the week, prevailing winds have been to the north-east and these have blown the ash out to sea away from Montserrat, sometimes onto Antigua. Heavy rain earlier in the week helped to wash away much of the heavy ash that was lying on the ground.
Pyroclastic flows have gone down most flanks of the volcano and on Sunday night, early Monday morning a major flow down White River in the south obliterated the Radio Antilles site at O'Garro's, destroying the buildings and antenna field. A new delta has been created in this area. The flows also went down Gages Valley into the bottom of St. George's Hill, Lover's Lane and Plymouth. Tuitts Ghaut and Tyer's Ghaut also saw flows the latter reaching as far as Dyers.
A new ash monitoring campaign has started with dust trackers measuring the amount of ash in the air. The sites chosen are Olveston, Woodlands, St. Peter's and Mongo Hill, with additional sites to come on stream as more equipment arrive on island. It is still difficult to carry out COSPEC measurements and attempts are shortly to be made from the sea using the police launch.
Seismicity has generally been low, although there was one regional earthquake measured early on Thursday morning. Prior to explosive eruptions the only signals are rock falls with a few volcano-tectonic earthquakes (VT's) also recorded. Following the events there is a period of tremor usually associated with ash and steam venting.
Some good clear days this week allowed MVO Scientists to see the dome, which is not thought to be growing presently. The current estimate is that the dome has a volume of 68 million cubic meters and a high spot of 975 metres above sea level. Most of the material erupting is coming straight off as pyroclastic flows.
There is now a large crater at the summit of the dome, which they estimate is about 225 meters deep and 300 metres wide.
The scientists believe that this current phase of activity will continue for some time and that during explosions and immediately afterwards residents should stay indoors, or wear their hard hats if they have to be outside. Everyone is still being urged to wear their ash masks and stay clear of all areas in the exclusion zone as they are extremely dangerous.
Jus wonderin what could have been achieved in the half-day, the British Parliamentary committee spent in Montserrat, then moving on to Antigua.
Jus wonderin who they were questioning there and what information on the crisis they were trying to obtain in Antigua that would take them two days.
Jus wonderin if the Fashion Queen Minister still actually has a Ministry. She is now known as the Minister of Education without schools; the Minister of Health with no hospital; the Minister of Culture with no people and no culture left; the Minister of Sports with no sports whatsoever; the Minister of Community Services, with no communities and a single member of staff in the office; and the Minister of Labour now everyone is employed.
Jus wonderin if there is anyone on this beautiful island who knows exactly what the hell is going on.
Jus wonderin why people in authority prefer to dump relief items than to share it freely.
Jus wonderin whose toes were stepped on by Labour Speaking and whether there are people left to give evidence to any inquiry team.
Jus wonderin if any of our British authorities will tell us what 'Paki Bashing' is and whether Manu Chandiramani qualifies for the treatment.
Jus wonderin why we still cannot see footage of the volcano in action and all the destruction it has done in the south of our country.
Jus wonderin when the bleeding in our country will stop.
Jus wonderin how come the voluntary evacuation program has been so successful and no other program can seem to get anywhere.
Jus wonderin if Salem was evacuated unnecessarily.
Jus wonderin if the British is ready to play another trump card with the work-force as depleted as it is.
Jus wonderin jus what part our government plays in depopulating Montserrat.
Jus wonderin what the ratio of men to women is presently on island.
Jus wonderin if we can begin to plan for some kind of festival this year and whether, Northern minister has what it takes to initiate it.
Jus wonderin if the police chief is trying to close down the police force and exactly what the reasons are why so many police officers are leaving.
Jus wonderin it is true that a recent British official is now saying in England that there should be no development of the north.
The following is a Draft Vision Statement arising from a National Consultation held Tuesday, September 9, 1997. It is being circulated for information and the benefit of the public.
We the people, aspire to build a healthy and wholesome Montserrat, founded upon a thriving modern economy and a friendly, vibrant community in which all of our people through enterprise and initiative can fulfill their hopes in a truly democratic society. We are committed to excellence in all spheres of individual and national endeavour, and will make the education and development of our people our highest priority as we strive for the goal of financial and environmental sustainability, and make our contribution in the region and the world.
Send your comments and suggestions to:
The Development Unit P.O. Box 292 Olveston, Montserrat or e-mail: devunit@candw.agVisit our web site at http://www.mninet.com/devunit
The Montserrat Port Authority is requesting that importers seeking compensation for consignments of goods accepted by the Authority for warehousing and remaining in the warehouse on or before June 24, 1997 are required to submit a claim in writing giving particulars.
The necessary documentation usually submitted to support claims; e.g. Invoices, Bill of Lading etc will be required.
Further details can be obtained from the Accounts Department, Montserrat Port Authority Little Bay, telephone 664-491-2791 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday.
Importers are advised to complete submissions of claims before October 26, 1997 after which no claims will be accepted.
Vacancy
Port Superintendent
Applications are invited from suitably qualified CARICOM Nationals to fill the post of Port Superintendent in the Operations Department at the Montserrat Port Authority.
Applicants should have:
Main Duties
Skills, Knowledge & Abilities
The incumbent should possess the following qualities:
Remuneration
Salary would be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Applications (in applicants own handwriting) including documentary evidence of qualifications, a full Curriculum Vitae together with two (2) recent letters of reference including one from your most recent employer should be addressed to:
The Chairman Montserrat Port Authority P. O. Box 344 MontserratApplications should reach the Chairman on or before 31st November, 1997
Small hotel near to ferry in St John’s on the beach, friendly bar and Resturant. Summer rate special - US$40 single and US$65 double, inclusive of Continental breakfast, plus government tax and service charge of 18.5%.
Ring Peter at tel: 268-462-4491 for further information.
Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag
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