Alliouagana Express News - May 06 2019

Alliouagana

Montserrat ’s Community Newspaper

Vol 01, Issue 16

$3.00

MONDAY, MAY 06, 2019

Express

NEWS

LABOUR DAY FUN DAY

pg 8

Director of Montserrat Social Security Fund, Mr. Kenneth Scotland

Concerns as Social Security payouts almost double current contributions Pg 3

2

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

DfID responds to Well 3 queries

By Staff Reporter Friday May 3rd, Brades— DFID explains their decision to take the lead on the MoN-3 well drilling, as one that was based on “capacity and capability constraints” within the local Government procurement function. This revelation lies at odds with reports coming out of the Government of Montserrat (GoM), which at one point had the Honourable Premier calling on DFID to take responsibility for the well 3 halt.

Responding to questions from AEx News, the Department for International Development (DfID), confirmed their decision in taking the lead on the third well exploration project, as well as the decision to enter into direct contact with Iceland Drilling (IDC), a move which stemmed from their view of GoM’s short comings.

DfID stated, “YES, Well-3 exploratory drilling was undertaken

by DFID in close collaboration with our Government of Montserrat colleagues. Throughout the exploratory drilling of the 3rd well, DFID and GoM continued to work closely with their joint participation on the project steering committee and through a GoM-appointed project manager. Due to capacity and capability constraints within GoM’s procurement function, DFID led on all procurement requirements.”

When asked about the Department’s lengthy negotiation with IDC and the outcome their response was, “DFID was negotiating with Iceland Drilling Company (IDC) on the way forward after MoN-3 issues were encountered.

The negotiations ended after IDC discovered that its equipment had suffered significant damage and needed to be returned to Iceland for a complete overhaul. It was determined that as the rig couldn’t not be utilised it would be demobilised from Montserrat. There was insufficient time and resources re-

maining to source a new supplier or new equipment.”

The DFID response contrasts with those provided by Minister of Energy the Honourable Paul Lewis in Parliament more than a week ago on the cause of the breakdown of the well 3 drilling and the project’s present status. There is obvious disagreement on the “why” DFID took the lead on the project.

Minister Lewis in his Parliamentary address stated, “In 2013, DFID Ministers approved the drilling of a further well to augment the production capacity of MON 1 and 2 by allowing for one of the three wells to be used for reinjection purposes. It was expected that with government delivering the two wells successfully the same management team would continue for well 3 however DFID insisted on a different arrangement.”

He informed that DFID had taken the following action: • DFID for some reason made a decision against the wish of GOM to lead on the drilling and drilling supervision.

• DFID also made the decision to use its own procurement system to procure the drilling company IDC and the supervising company GRG. • DFID entered into direct contract with IDC the drilling company • DFID entered into direct contract with RGR He said, “DFID then limited the role of government to facilitating and securing the land, preparing the site, the drill pad and dredging the Plymouth jetty to allow the ship to land equipment—This complex arrangement is contrary to best practices. The government disagreed with this approach and warned of the dangers of this arrangement.

DFID insisted on taking this approach.”

Both claims aside, it seems the focus now is on the future of this 3rd well for which DFID has made it clear that well-3 has not been abandoned. DFID assures that, “Options for taking forward the additional drilling and/or well-cleaning

activities will now be explored with private sector interests. Government of Montserrat’s Ministry of Communications Works and Labour will remain in the lead on subsequent stages of the project, including Well-3 completion.”

MONTSERRAT THE REGISTERED LAND ACT (CAP. 8.01) REGISTRATION SECTION BLOCK PARCEL ST. PETER’S 13/17 094 NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR PRESCRIPTIVE TITLE TAKE NOTICE that an Application was filed on the 8th day of April 2019, by virtue of section 135 of the Registered Land Act, (Cap. 8.01), by Kharl Markham, Attorney-at-Law of Allen Markham & Associates, 100 Banks Estate, Montserrat, on behalf of Mary Christiana Douglas aka Mary Christiana Gibbons, the Applicant herein for Prescriptive Title of the above-mentioned parcel of land more particularly described in the Schedule hereto and presently registered in the name of William A. Gibbons of Baker Hill, Montserrat.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if you object to the granting of the application you must within six (6) weeks of the First Publication of this notice in a newspaper, published in and circulating in Montserrat, lodge an objection setting out the grounds of your objection.

The said Application may be inspected by any interested party at the Land Registry Department from Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:00am – 2:00pm.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT a parcel of land, approximately 0.32 acres registered as Block 13/17 Parcel 094 in the St. Peter’s Registration Section in Montserrat and butted and bounded as follows: On the North north-west by the Baker Hill Public Road; On the North to the east-north-east by Block 13/17 parcel 055 registered to Mary Christiana Douglas and Lionel Nicholas Douglas; On the East to south-east by Block 13/17 parcel 007 registered to Geraldine Gibbons; On the South-east by Block 13/17 parcel 099 registered as Unclaimed land; On the South south-east to the west by Block 13/17 parcel 127 registered to Mary C. Douglas; and On the West north-west to the north-west by block 13/17 parcel 148 registered to Chivone Gerald.

Dated the 25th day of April 2019.

Sgd., Colin R. Meade REGISTRAR OF LANDS, (AG.)

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

Concerns as Social Security payouts almost double current contributions

By Staff Reporter Friday May 3rd, Little Bay— Should workers expect to see an increase in Social Security deductibles from their salaries as the Honourable Premier warns of a “delicate decision” which “will affect every working man”? This comes as statistics from Social Security Fund reveals a worrying trend of benefit payouts averaging over $1, 000,000.00 more than contributions paid into the fund.

The Honourable Premier who was responding to questions during the last sitting of the Legislative Assembly has informed that “Action needs to be taken and taken fast—a paper is being prepared for cabinet to address the sustainability of the fund.— there is a report being finalized,—that would assist us in making that decision soon.”

He said, “—one of the serious things about this fund is that 80% of the recipients are not on island, so all the monies they are receiving are not spent on island. Less than 20% of the recipients are on island and that shows you where the burden is. It’s a very tough decision which has to be made, a delicate decision, it will affect every working man now and in the future. But decisions are about to be made to make adjustments over the coming years to address the matter.”

Statistical figures reported by Montserrat Social Security Fund reports the below figures for the past four years.

FINANCIAL YEAR

2014-2015

2015-2016

2016-2017

2017-2018

TOTAL CONTRIBU-TION

$6,441,188.00

$5574883. 00

$5,404,857.00

$5,462,302.16

TOTAL BENEFITS PAY-OUTS

$7,995,263.47

$7,680,720.67

$7,586,005.03

$7,656,102.37

Printed and Published by Alliouagana Express Printing & Publishing P.O. Box L11 Davy Hill, MSR1110 Montserrat Tel: 664-496-0810 Email the newsroom: allixpnews@gmail.com Email Printing: alliexprinting@gmail.com Visit us on Facebook: Alliouagana Express (includes links to our website and Twitter page)

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Director of the Montserrat Social Security Fund, Kenneth Scotland, in an interview with AEx News gave context to the figures and what they mean for the Fund. He said, “Under normal circumstance any business operating with these figures would probably close their door because they will be bouncing cheques.

—these are just benefits, you still have staff salaries, light, water.”

Scotland said, the minimum pension benefit is $307 while the maximum contribution payment is $160. “The amount of contributors to the amount of pensioners, you would normally need a good ratio of 6:1 that is 6 people contributing to every one pensioner. In Montserrat the ratio is approximately 2:1.”

“What we are now doing here—we are utilizing some of our reserves that we would have built up over the period of time and hence there is no need for bouncing cheques. The downside to that is that if you continue using your reserves, your reserves will sooner or later finish and then that now becomes a problem, where you now become what we call a pay as you go, or in other words you have to pay a contribution rate that is the equivalent of what you’re giving out,” he said.

The Director believes that a vibrant economy is the best solution to this problem “ One of the best way to deal with this is a vibrant economy, if you have a vibrant economy, people pay their

TOTAL PENSION PAY- OUTS

$7,264,876.75

$6,846,145.16

$6,815,384.05

$7,172,036.40

TOTAL CONTRIBUTORS

1970

2107

2021

1980

TOTAL PENSIONERS

802

734

863

950

contribution and people get their benefits, everything is good. We are now finalizing our 8th actual review that should be finished by the middle of May —and then that will give us a better appreciation of how the fund and where the fund is standing.”

He also believes that there are important questions that needs to be asked, “The question I think needs to be asked, is we are holders of British passport—if you are already receiving a benefit in the UK, the question is should you still be receiving a benefit in Montserrat, or should you be receiving a top-up benefit in Montserrat. But on the other hand, the benefit in Montserrat is a benefit that you would have contributed towards, so you ought to receive it.”

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Dear Kate Reprinted from antiguanewsroom.com

I think my husband is cheating with his ex

Dear Kate, My husband left our home during Hurricane Irma to go to ensure the home of his children’s mother was safe, even though the children are in the U.S. I don’t want to sound like a jealous wife but I suspect something could be happening between them.

Why would he even care whether she is alright or not when they are separated for over six years now. Am I being unreasonable?

I just feel in my spirit there was more to this help than meets the eye. And it took him almost three hours at her house. I timed him.

He said he had to help her board up and secure the place but I am thinking maybe that was not the only “boarding” going around. What do you think?

VEX Dear VEX, You do sound like a jealous wife. A cold hearted one at that. If your now husband has children with this woman I see nothing wrong with checking up on her during a serious storm like Irma irrespective of whether the children are actually in the home or not. She is their mother. It seems you have trust issues with your husband and you need to work on that.

To even time your husband is evidence of some serious insecurities and I believe this will destroy your marriage, consider that it has already started to affect you.

Seek some help. I cannot help you with your insecurities or lack of trust. But I can suggest that you seek professional help.

Kate HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A.D. 2019 LEGAL NOTICE In the Estate of MARY MATILDA BURNS deceased.

Late of Look out Montserrat Notice is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date hereof Application will be made in the Registry of the High Court for Letters of Administration to the estate of MARY MATILDA BURNS who died on 28th of January 2019 be granted to Sharhea Burns Wade lawful attorney for Lester Burns, Angela Burns, Lenny Burns, Shandrina Burns and Malton Burns persons entitled to share in the estate of the deceased All persons claiming to be beneficially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars thereof to the undersigned.

Further any person objecting to the issuance of Letters of Administration to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court, Brades, Montserrat not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

Dated this 30th April 2019 HOGARTH SERGEANT ATTORNEY FOR THE APPLICANT

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

Your weekly Horoscopes

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21- Feb. 19) Nobody ever said you have to reveal everything that you are doing. Secrecy is fine, and everyone must understand that you should be allowed to take your time to work out exactly what is best for you. Ultimately, nobody understands as well as you what must now be done.

PISCES (Feb 20 - Mar 20) Delicate Venus’ impact on your chart is about to be complicated by energetic Mars, a passionate combination if ever there was one. This is therefore a fine time to deepen your social involvements and take responsibility over partners’ affairs.

ARIES (Mar 21 – Apr 20) You should be ready to make whatever changes are necessary in your routine, and even to give up a responsibility that has outlived its usefulness. The important thing is to question any and all taboos and not to tie yourself to what you imagine, quite falsely, to be important to other people.

TAURUS (Apr 21 - May 21) You have much to look forward to. Since so many strategic areas of your solar chart are currently being affected, we may surmise that you are on the brink of something big. However, there are still further consultations to come, so never imagine that everything is in the bag.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21) The family situation is now improving, partly because others are more prepared to see sense, or at least realise that it is much more pleasant to agree than argue. Indeed, you should finally silence your critics at home, yet, only when other people have had their say, will you get your way.

CANCER (June 22 - July 23) Powerful planets placed in a personal relationship to your ninth solar house indicate that over the coming weeks you will be showing the world a wiser, deeper and more hopeful you. There may also be an overseas or long-distance trip to look forward to.

LEO (July 24 - Aug 23) It is unlikely that you will be able to make sense of partners’ more extravagant claims. It’s almost as if what is perfectly reasonable one moment appears to be completely pointless the next, so don’t worry about making firm plans. Also, please feel free to change your mind.

VIRGO (Aug 24 - Sep 23) Some things in the astrological universe are certain. No doubt certain planetary movements have coincided with changes in your working pattern. Other difficulties develop from the fact that tasks which you thought were finished and done with require further attention.

LIBRA (Sep 24 - Oct 23) It’s a mixed week, with some awkward indications — and many positive ones. Although there should be some reassuring influences, you will have to cope with romantic changes, not to mention alterations in any relationships with children. Once questions at home have been answered, you will be able to get on with social arrangements.

SCORPIO (Oct 24 - Nov 23) Delays are likely, if not inevitable. If romantic affairs are held up, you may be obliged to wait a little while longer. There’s no problem, for passionate planetary influences are approaching fast, and the end of the month holds surprises in store for all secretive Scorpions.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 24 - Dec 23) In spite of daily ups and downs this can still be a positive period to focus on money matters. Your most extravagant influences are very enticing and, for most of the time, you may spend quite happily without fear of waste or loss. Long-term social prospects remain bright.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 23 - Jan. 20) One very pleasant relationship between the emotional Moon and passionate Pluto favours all those with great determination, especially if your plans are intensely personal. Press ahead with quiet confidence and outwit all rivals with your superior understanding.

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

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More candidates declare for elections

Within the last week, two more independent candidates have declared their candidacy for the next general elections.

Former Education Official Glenn Francis and Political and Social commentator Dunstan Lindesay has offered themselves up to serve in the Montserrat Legislative Assembly.

To date six inde-

pendent candidates have thrown their hats in the ring to contest the next general elections. Among the list are: Karen “Lioness” Allen, Victor James Sr. and Ian Samuel.

Glen Francis believes he can no longer stand idly by as the country hurts, he must engage.

“When I see our country hurting the way

it is, when I see the enormous potential in our young people who we as a country have failed to adequately empower I can no longer look on from the side line, I feel I must get engaged.”

Dunstan Lindesay believes that the country needs people who are going to put Montserrat first.

“I’m not running with any party, I’m independent because I think this party system has destroyed Montserrat.

We have people outside that nobody voted for calling the shots and that ridiculous.

—Montserrat is about the interest of all—what we need is people who are going to put Montserrat first.

Mr. Glenn Francis

Guest Editorial:

Child protection and the delayed Budget

By Craig Brewin When it became clear that the Government’s annual budget wouldn’t be agreed until May this year, the Premier set about explaining the causes and the risks. It’s still not entirely clear what all the problems were, but one surprising reason was a dispute between the Premier and DFID over whether 16 and 17 year olds should be exempt from proposed legislation on Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). It’ an odd thing to delay the budget over, particularly given that it is an argument that the Premier cannot win. In the modern era of global communications and digital technology, acceptance of a universal age threshold is extremely important.

When it comes to child protection and CSE (which is essentially coercion) the age definition is set out in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

This defines a child as someone under 18.

Clearly children attain different rights as they get older but there is a specific article in the Convention, Article 34, which deals with CSE. This states that measures should be taken to prevent inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity. This includes the exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices and the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials.

The Premier’s argument is that the legislation should not apply to children over the Age of Consent (16 in Montserrat). It is the “old enough to know better” argument, which is that at 16 a child should be able to make rational choices and keep herself out of trouble. But it is important to understand the difference between the Age of Consent and the Age of Majority. Sixteen and seventeen year olds can be particularly at risk of exploitation, particularly online, and especially if they are vulnerable in other ways. New legislation was also introduced in the UK four years ago in response to the issue of vulnerable young people being groomed for sex. The ambiguity over the consent issue, and the reluctance of victims to come forward, means that public agencies need to particularly vigilant in respect of older teenagers, and sentences must be in line with those for other children.

According to a recent UNICEF report, the rights of children at particular ages is “confusing” in Montserrat. A child can be held criminally responsible for their actions at the age of ten but does not receive full citizenship until the age of 21 (and then only if they have a Montserratian parent). It’s a very wide age range with different laws at different ages in between, and different sentences for offences against them. Also, until you

are 16 you can’t get medical care without the permission of a parent. This is not the law but, according to UNICEF, is the common practice here. You can vote when you reach 18 (if you are a Commonwealth citizen).

In challenging DFID on the scope of the CSE legislation the Premier said that he felt that applying it to all children would “be difficult to adhere to” in Montserrat and that he did not accept that “sexual activity with children” over 15 can be “prohibited”. But the UN Convention is thirty years old now and has been signed by more countries than any other UN Convention. These values are universal and some sexual activity with older teenagers has to be prohibited. This can be done by changing the age in the current legislation relating to sex by coercion.

Also, in the UK, there is specific legislation relating to transmission of explicit images of people under the age of 18.

The Premier may be wise to look at some of these issues in detail rather than treat everything that comes from outside as an imposition. Montserrat isn’t big enough to address all these issues alone, and if help is on offer it should be taken. I do agree that it is worth delaying the budget to close this issue off though. The protection of children is the most important task of any Government.

Opinions expressed in this opinion/editorial are that of the writer. Alliouagana Express Printing & Publishing and Alliouagana Express News are not responsible for inaccuracies or misrepresentations. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Alliouagana Express Printing & Publishing and Alliouagana Express News or its advertisers.

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ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

Budget delays over, May 15 set as new date

By Staff Reporter Friday May 3rd, Brades— After much delays, the government has finally confirmed May 15th for the budget presentation. The Honourable Premier made the announcement at an impromptu press briefing at the Governor’s Office.

Premier Donaldson Ro-

meo also announced the signing of two key Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreements, which he explained had been the reason for the delay of the budget.

He announced that, “— we have signed the MoU for the £30 million capital program. Very significant opportunity for Government to have signed that MoU in that it allows the flexibility we need in negotiation going forward.

DFID—conceded to most of the points that we raised that were to our bene-

fits in that MoU and therefore we signed it this week.” The Government also signed the MoU for the budget estimates for the recurrent budget on Friday after the press briefing.

The previous date put forward for the budget presentation was May 7th, however the Premier explained why the recent change. He said, “— we were supposed to have the budget speech on Tuesday coming but due to the late signing—we’ve had discussions with the opposition to have the speech done on the 7th, given that they were going to have less than five days to receive the estimates and the other information—they insisted on us arranging a new

By Staff Reporter Friday May 3rd, Davy Hill —Evidence is in and the PAC is preparing their report for final review before proceeding with their submission of findings and recommendations to parliament; according to the most recent update on the PAC inquiry into a government constructed house in Davy Hill that has remained unoccupied for several years.

Public Affairs Committee (PAC) Chairman Eastern Farrell provided an update on the work of the committee, where he shared the reason for the inquiry. He informed, “We are trying to get to the bottom of why the house has been sitting idle, unoccupied for the past four, five years— it’s actually Government’s revenue, and so we wanted to find out in fact whether government is losing money by investing in a building and have it shut down for

four years . —whether any part of the house was deteriorating and also, whether there was any litigations —any future litigations against government.”

Taylor clarifies that his reference to litigations, refers to an inquiry into the possibility or instance that the persons for which the house was constructed tries to bring a claim against government, if government should take action to occupy the building.

In the update the Chair said, “We completed the evidence — the next step is for us to put the report together. The PAC will meet next Wednesday in private session, and we will look at the evidence we have and if there is any gap in it we will then write to the individual who we think can add more substance to what we have and they would submit that in writing. Having receive that, we will do a draft of the PAC which we will circulate

to all of us so we can go through —then we will finally submit our report to parliament.”

The PAC leader was keen to remind that the PAC is not politically motivated but rather has the role to make sure that errors that have been made are not made again and that government receives value for money. It is also their responsibility that government resources are managed effectively. It is an oversight committee that works in tangent with the external auditor for which some of their works are influenced.

In July the PAC is expected to hear submissions from government on the way forward for outsourced cleaning service

date which we have done.”

Romeo also informed that although the government had signed the MoU for the £30 million, they are still negotiating the specifics of that deal.

“What was significant is that the MoU at first, did not allow the flexibility needed in negotiating the content in the £30 million. Because there are various projects included, we may have some difference in the amounts, so we are still in the process of negotiating on those specifics within the £30 million. What we did though is make sure we secured the £30 million and secure it with some flexibility surrounding negotiations going forward,” said the Premier.

PAC set to make submission and recommendations to parliament

with the government. This is another ongoing inquiry by the committee for which evidence and recommendations were submitted. The inquiry was undertaken following stakeholder concerns on the uncertain future of the outsourced service.

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

T h e Wo o d c u t t e r a n d t h e A xe

Long ago, there lived a woodcutter in a small village. He was sincere in his work and very honest. Every day, he set out into the nearby forest to cut trees. He brought the woods back into the village and sold them out to a merchant and earn his money. He earned just about enough to make a living, but he was satisfied with his simple living.

One day, while cutting a tree near a river, his axe slipped out of his hand and fell into the river. The river was so deep, he could not even think to retrieve it on his own. He only had one axe which was gone into the river. He became a very worried thinking how he will be able to earn his living now! He was very sad and prayed to the God. He prayed sincerely so the God appeared in front of him and asked, “What is the problem, my son?” The woodcutter explained the problem and requested the Name this country!

God to get his axe back.

The God put his hand deep into the river and took out a silver axe and asked, “Is this your axe?” The Woodcutter looked at the axe and said “No”. So the God put his hand back deep into the water again and showed a golden axe and asked, “Is this your axe?”

The woodcutter looked at

the axe and said “No”. The God said, “Take a look again Son, this is a very valuable golden axe, are you sure this is not yours?” The woodcutter said, “No, It’s not mine. I can’t cut the trees with a golden axe. It’s not useful for me”.

The God smiled and finally put his hand into the water again and took

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out his iron axe and asked, “Is this your axe?” To this, the woodcutter said, “Yes! This is mine! Thank you!”

The Goddess was very impressed with his honesty so she gave him his iron axe and also other two axes as a reward for his honesty.

Moral: Always be honest. Honesty is always rewarded.

Fill in the blanks using the words on top

How do you say that in...?

Solve the clues then translate

To work, toil, exert one’s power of body or mind_____ A labourer or employee _______ A person or business who employs workers ______ Money/salary that is paid or received for work ___ English

Spanish/Espanol

Haitian Creole/ Kreyòl Ayisyen

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ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

Labour Day March and Fun Day to celebrate workers’ achievements

Minister of Labour, Hon. Paul Lewis

Mr. Phillip Mulcare

Trade Unionist Hylroy Bramble

Labour Commissioner Rudolph Christopher

By Staff Reporter Monday May 6th, Little Bay—Workers took to the streets on Monday in a Labour Day Parade and Fun day to celebrate the recognition of worker’s achievements. This also coincided with the 100th celebration of the existence of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) promoting the theme, “One Hundred Years and Counting Supporting Labour and Workers’ Rights.”

The event was the collaborative work of the Montserrat Civil Service Association (MCSA), Teacher’s Union and

other Staff Associations, under the auspices of the Department of Labour.

Labour Commissioner Rudolph Christopher said, “The aim and goal is to celebrate an occasion which we think was heavily fought for many years ago for the recognition of workers achievement. —It’s to recognize the efforts that have been made by those before us to make sure we can look back at what we have done in any given year, productivity wise—“ He believes the occasion also served to encourage

President of Nurses Association Brenda Daley

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

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workers, “—to understand the importance of the day and recognize that Labour Day didn’t come overnight and it’s not just a party time thing, there is a significance and importance to it that we as workers should understand, for all the challenges those before us would have gone through.”

“The last Wednesday in the month we have Workers’ Appreciation Day. Rights and responsibilities we have established those and we look forward to making those working conditions much better as we go along. —there is a lot of things still to come on board, but we have come a long way,” he said.

President of the Montserrat Civil Association (MCA) Nyota Mulcare

Charliena White

President of Montserrat Union of Teachers, Ms Denise Silcott

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ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

World Press Freedom Day with a twist

By Staff Reporter Friday April 3rd, Brades—Local media organizations were invited to a special media event at the Governor’s office, which did not adhere to the usual format of things, instead the spotlight was on the press. The “reverse interview” setup was intended to open dialogue on the state of the local media in commemoration of “World Press Freedom Day. Hosted under the auspices of His Excellency the Governor Andrew Pearce, the event welcomed attendees from the mass media, including the national radio station ZJB, AEx News, The Montserrat Reporter, GIU and DS Designs.

The grouping were encouraged to share their perspective of the subject in an open discussion, as well as entertaining questions from Governor Pearce. His Excellency commenced talks with an expression of gratitude to the local media for their service to the public.

He said, “I wanted to say a real thank you to the ladies and gents of the media here in Montserrat, I know it is not an easy job—asking people about their lives and work in a way that draws them out and encourages them to give information and be comfortable in the way they do it is quite a skill—.” He posed the questioned, “why is it that we should be in this part of the 21st century facing the situation where around the world journalist are under more pressure than they have been for many decades?”

Coming out of the discussion some of the drawbacks as it relates to information dissemination were shared. One of the issues identified was the need for public relations officers in government departments and for the establishment of a standard for interaction with the press. As well as the need for support and availability of training to be opened to all local

journalists.

Veteran Journalist and cultural historian Rt. Hon. Rose Willock added a brief account of the history of Montserrat’s media in the context of the freedom of the media. She said, “From ever since, in Montserrat we’ve had independent print media in particular, although for electronic media its always been government

owned, it’s always been national media,—we refer to it as the national broadcasting system— not because the government provided most of the funds—that it means that, it is a media that everyone should have access to. —we have to keep repeating this because some people are of the notion that because government provides most of the funds, that only

government has access and we have to change that.”

The event was said to be in keeping with United Kingdom government efforts to commemorate “World Press Freedom Day” in the UK and within its territories. The Governor’s Office had taken the decision to host this event for the first time to mark the occasion.

Labour Day cleanup campaign from Airport to Rendezvous Beach

Premier Romeo and Arthur Brooks

Volunteers cleaning in Davy Hill

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

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Día del trabajo, marzo Labour Day March ak Fun Day pou y día de diversión para selebre reyalizasyon travayè yo Reporter Anplwaye celebrar los logros de los PaLendi 6 me, Little Bay — Travayè yo te pran lari nan Lendi nan yon Jou Labour Parad ak jou amizan pou selebre rekonesans trabajadores Por el reportero del personal reyalizasyon travayè yo. Sa a tou rejwenn ak selebrasyon an 100th

Lunes 6 de mayo, Little Bay: los trabajadores salieron a las calles el lunes en un Desfile del Día del Trabajo y un día divertido para celebrar el reconocimiento de los logros de los trabajadores.

Esto también coincidió con la celebración número 100 de la existencia de la Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT) que promueve el tema, “Cien años y contando con el apoyo al trabajo y los derechos de los trabajadores”.

El evento fue el trabajo de colaboración de la Asociación de Servicio Civil de Montserrat (MCSA), el Sindicato de docentes y otras asociaciones de personal, bajo los auspicios del Departamento de Trabajo.

El Comisionado de Trabajo, Rudolph Christopher, dijo: “El objetivo y la meta es celebrar una ocasión que creemos que se luchó intensamente hace muchos años para el reconocimiento del logro de los trabajadores. “Es para reconocer los esfuerzos realizados por los que nos precedieron para asegurarnos de que podemos mirar hacia atrás a lo que hemos hecho en un año determinado, en lo que respecta a la productividad”. Él cree que la ocasión también sirvió para alentar a los trabajadores, “para entender la importancia del día y reconocer que el Día del Trabajo no se hizo de la noche a la mañana y no es solo una cuestión de fiesta, hay una importancia e importancia para nosotros como trabajadores”. debería entender, por todos los desafíos que los que nos precedieron hubieran pasado ”.

“El último miércoles del mes tenemos el Día de la Apreciación de los Trabajadores. Los derechos y responsabilidades los hemos establecido y esperamos mejorar esas condiciones de trabajo a medida que avanzamos. “Hay muchas cosas por venir a bordo, pero hemos recorrido un largo camino”, dijo.

nan egzistans lan nan Organizationganizasyon Entènasyonal Labour (OIT) fè pwomosyon tèm nan, “Yon santèn ane ak konte Sipòte travay ak dwa travayè yo.”

Evènman an se te travay kolaborasyon Asosyasyon Sèvis Sivil Montserrat (MCSA), Inyon Pwofesè a ak lòt Asosyasyon Anplwaye, anba ejid Depatman Travay.

Komisyonè Labour Rudolph Christopher te di, “Objektif la ak objektif la se selebre yon okazyon ki nou panse te lou goumen pou anpil ane de sa pou rekonesans nan reyisit travayè yo. — Li pral rekonèt efò sa yo te fè pa moun devan nou yo asire nou ke nou ka gade dèyè nan sa nou te fè nan nenpòt ki ane, pwodiktivite ki gen bon konprann- “ Li kwè ke okazyon an te sèvi tou pou ankouraje travayè yo, “pou konprann enpòtans jounen an ak rekonèt jou travay Laboratwa a pa vini lannwit e se pa sèlman yon bagay ki fèt, gen yon siyifikasyon ak enpòtans pou li ke nou kòm travayè ... ta dwe konprann, pou tout defi sa yo devan nou ta ka pase nan. “ “Mèkredi dènye nan mwa a nou gen Jou Apresyasyon Travayè yo. Dwa ak responsablite nou te etabli sa yo e nou gade pou pi devan pou fè sa yo kondisyon travay pi bon jan nou ale ansanm. - gen yon pakèt bagay ki toujou vini sou tablo a, men nou te fè anpil wout, “li te di.

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Meghan Markle and 9 2 8 Prince Harry’s Royal baby has 5 It’s 4 been born. a boy!

et Numbers: 29

After months of speculation as to the gender of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s baby, the Duchess has given birth to a little boy.

Now that Baby Sussex, the Queen’s eighth great-grandchild, has arrived, here’s everything we know about him so far — and what we can expect to find out in the next few days.

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Where will Meghan and Harry raise him?

It was announced in November that Harry and Meghan would be leaving Nottingham Cottage in Kensington Palace, where they had lived since their engagement on the same grounds as William and Kate.

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PHOTO: Meghan and Harry had been gracefully coy about Baby Sussex’s due date. (Reuters: Chris Jackson) They recently moved into Frogmore Cottage, in Windsor, just in time for Baby Sussex’s arrival.

How hands on will Meghan and Harry be?

Princess Diana had been determined to bring her sons up away from the stuffy confines of Royal palaces and their traditions.

She took them on trips to the cinema, McDonald’s and a theme park.

Mr Proctor said Harry was likely to want to do the same for his child, and said we could expect the Duke and Duchess to be very hands on for Royal parents.

“I think this is part of the reason why they are moving to Windsor, so they can spend time as a family in a homely environment,” he said.

Last week’s answers

Monday April 29, 2019 CRYPTOGRAM: For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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Will Baby Sussex be a prince?

It isn’t likely.

Even though William and Kate’s children George and Louis are princes, and Charlotte a princess, the Queen would have to intervene to make Baby Sussex a prince.

Without a special Letters Patent, it’s likely he will be styled as Lord, with Mountbatten-Windsor as a surname, Royal experts have said.

Prince Edward’s daughter, Lady Louise, was named this way.

We’re likely to find out Baby Sussex’s name in a few days.

That said, we do already know that he is seventh in line to the British throne, and will stay in that position unless William and Kate have more children.

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ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

Antigua offers to buy Barbados shares in LIAT The government says it has told Barbados of its desire to acquire its shares in LIAT. The Minister of Aviation and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance reported on the very important meeting held with the shareholders of LIAT, at the airline’s headquar-

ters at Coolidge on Tuesday.

The Antigua and Barbuda offer, to purchase the shares of LIAT owned by Barbados, was among several issues raised by Antigua and Barbuda’s representatives to the meeting.

Since the Barbados representa-

tive was not the Prime Minister of that country, it was agreed that this development would be conveyed to the Honourable Mia Mottley and a response would shortly be forthcoming.

No further details on the actual offer were provided.

It said that the shorter term drought is evolving in Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago, while long term drought is evolving in Antigua, west-central Belize, Cayman, Dominican Republic, northeastern Guyana, St. Kitts, Trinidad

and Tobago.

NWC Communication Manager, Charles Buchanan, speaking on a local radio programme here, said that despite the negative forecast, he hopes the rainfall during the month of May “may not be significantly below normal.

“But even more important for us is where the rain falls,” he said, noting that “there are parts of the country that are more severely impacted by the continuing dry season than others, and there are also areas that are more responsive to early rainfall,” he added.

The 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Tuesday appealed for “calm and peace” in Venezuela where Opposition Leader Juan Guaidó has embarked upon what he called the final phase of the plan to oust President Nicolas Maduro from office.

CARICOM Chairman and St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Timothy Harris in a statement, said that the region had been apprised of the situation in Venezuela, which appears to be nearing a boiling point.

Harris, who said he had also been in contact with other CARICOM leaders and the CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin LaRocque on the unfolding situation in Caracas.

“I appeal for calm and peace,” Harris said, while reiterating his pledge that CARICOM will continue to make every effort to help bring a peaceful resolution to Venezuela’s political crisis.

“My colleague Heads of Government and I are collectively charged with ensuring the continued security and stability of our beloved Caribbean region,” Prime Minister Harris said, noting “this

responsibility is our first and foremost priority as we work in unison to safeguard our people’s future.

“CARICOM has been working earnestly to promote meaningful dialogue and diplomacy, as well as a four-phased process called the Montevideo Mechanism whose aim is an inclusive and lasting solution.

Such a considered approach can only redound to the benefit of the country and people of Venezuela and, by extension, the countries and citizens of Latin America and the Caribbean,” he said.

Harris is scheduled to visit Costa Rica next week for follow up discussions with the International Contact Group (ICG) on Venezuela.

Earlier, Trinidad and Tobago had issued a separate statement reaffirming “its principled position of non-intervention” in the internal affairs of Venezuela. ”It has been reported that certain elements of the Venezuelan military have indicated support for Mr. Juan Guaidó and that support has resulted in disturbances in Venezuela,” the Ministry of National Security said in a statement.

It said that Trinidad and To-

bago “maintains the principled position of non-interference and non-intervention in the internal affairs of Venezuela and hope that the Venezuelan people will resolve their affairs peacefully”.

Guaidó, appeared in a video with uniformed men, saying he had military support and called for more members of the military to help him end President Maduro’s “usurpation” of power.

The Opposition Leader, who has declared himself interim leader of Venezuela, has the backing of the United States and most Western countries, while Maduro, who was sworn into office for a second consecutive term in January, has the support of Russia, China and Cuba.

A number of Venezuelans have fled to Trinidad and Tobago to escape the situation in their homeland and in the statement, National Security Minister Stuart Young said he had was advising the country that the relevant divisions of the Ministry of National Security “have been working together and have been focused on securing our borders and we will continue to do so”.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley

Jamaica institutes water rationing

The National Water Commission (NWC) says it will be implementing water restrictions for sections of the Corporate Area as of Monday as it indicated that several of its water supply systems across the island are being affected by worsening drought conditions.

The NWC said that as of last Thursday, the Mona Reservoir was at 34.7 per cent of capacity and the Hermitage Dam was at 31.4 per cent.

It said that the six-hour water restrictions daily would affect several communities served by the two reservoirs and that it is also customers to store water as necessary for use.

The NWC announcement follows the warning by the Barbadosbased Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) that the drought situation in the Caribbean is expected to continue into the early wet season as weak El Niño conditions are forecast to persist.

In its latest Caribbean Climate Outlooks bulletin released here, the CIMH said that for the period May to July recurrent dry spells are forecasted, except for the Windward Islands and Guianas.

CIMH said that severe “or worse” drought has developed in Antigua, Aruba, Barbados, central Belize, French Guiana, northern Guyana, Martinique, St. Kitts, and eastern Trinidad on the shorter term, and in southern Hispaniola on the long term.

Region appeals for c a l m i n Ve n e z u e l a

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

Monday May 6th Brades—The Montserrat Motor Sports Association (MMSA) has been engaged in a road sign restoration activity as part of their community outreach initiatives. The activity is the second one of its kind to be conducted by the Association with assistance from the Royal Montserrat Police Service.

MMSA representative James Adams said

MMSA volunteers had commenced repainting of the pedestrian crossing and other road signs from Sunday, which ran into Monday, Labour Day. According to Adams, group representatives will also be visiting various vulnerable local groups and the senior citizen homes across the island. He said the Association intends to conduct similar activities moving forward.

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Montserrat Motor Sports Association community ser vice initiatives

Cricket West Indies facing serious financial difficulties: Skerritt

with most of our obligations to our creditors,” Skerritt disclosed.

“We have as a result begun to undertake a financial review and in the meantime, we are continuing to raise funds where the funds can be raised and we think that within the next couple of months or so we should be in a much better position than we are now.”

When asked if consideration was being given for a forensic audit to be done on the handling of finances by the previous administration, the president would only say that a financial review was being done.

“We are doing a financial review but I won’t bother to use any terms other than that,” Skerritt noted.

Antiguanewsroom The financial situation of Cricket West Indies (CWI) is much worse than previously thought, says newly elected president Ricky Skerritt.

Skerritt, who took over the post after defeating Dave Cameron in elections on March 24, has revealed that due to a lack of resources CWI has not been able to honour all of its financial obligations.

He said however, that the organisation was moving swiftly to address the problem.

“It’s worse than you think. I’m not in a position to speak to numbers, all I can tell you is that we have a significant shortfall in working capital and that is why we have been not up to date

Ricky Skerritt

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Montser r atian athletes perfor min g r e gionall y and inter nationall y

By Staff Reporter Friday May 3rd, Davy Hill—Montserrat continues to receive representation in the areas of track and field, the most recent was at the Penn Relays Meet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA and the 2019 CARIFTA Games in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.

Three athletes from the Montserrat Track Alliance were among

ALLIOUAGANA EXPRESS

Monday, May 06, 2019

regional and international athletes and both athletics events.

Montserratian athlete Lester Ryan represented the University of The West Indies (UWI) Mona, Jamaica at the Penn Relays. Lester and teammates Emmanuel Archibald, Mazhino Barnett and Xandre Blake of UWI MONA captured second place in the College Men’s 4x100M finals on Saturday 27th April. The team

Lester Ryan

Tevique Benjamin and Johmari Lee

ran a time of 40.64s. The Penn Relays Meet is held annually at Franklin Field, hosted by the University of Pennsylvania.

Additionally, local youngsters Johmari Lee and Tevique Benjamin under the management of coach Wilston Scotland represented the island at the CARIFTA Games on April 20th - 22nd in Cayman Islands.

Johmari aged 16, placed 7th in the U20 100M with a time of 11.52s, as

Tevique also age 16, placed 7th in the U17 100M with a time 11.71s. This was Tevique’s first time representing Montserrat at this level.

Tevique also placed 4th in heat 1 of the U17 200M in 23.21s, while Johmari placed 7th in heat 4 of the U20 200M in 22.86s Neither athlete did not advance to the finals for their event, took part in the opening ceremony for the CARIFTA Games and carried the Montserrat flag.