Friday, January 20, 2012
Page g 1 Today’s Scripture
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And there be no cattle in the stalls, Yet I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (NASB)
DFID stunts GoM Budget Estimates Vol. XXVII No. 01
Week Ending Friday, January 20, 2012
all of which were, “particu- l-r: B. Roach, Mary Thompson (parlarly important in ensuring tially hidden), Kato Kimbugwe, Karen continued support of the UK McGeough, Richard Erleback, and public in the context of an Drew Tetlow, austere economy,” noted in the statement. At the end however, the GoM must not be camping happily, as the team informed: “GoM are finalising revenue and expenditure projections taking on board our discussions. We will make final commitments on the basis of the revised projections.” That statement suggests a deviation from the expected, following all the new and hard work, understanding, the Premier had alluded to earlier, that all Ministries and Departments had been putting in for many weeks over the latter months of last year. The DFID budget team expressed throughout the press conference their concerns with the shortfall of revenue in the current year expected to be “$5 million Two senior ranking po- senior on compulsory leave dollars less (from $45m pending further investigation $40m) representing 11%.” lice officers of the Royal into alleged misconduct. They blamed this “largely Montserrat Police Service According to a release by poor compliance…the (RMPS) are suspended, one from Government House on suspension and the more cont’d. on page 5 the Governor’s actions arose out of the conduct of, “an extensive internal investigation into allegations of police misconduct during and folTwo more celebrate 100 years...pg 2 lowing the arrests of George Changes to ferry service...pg 3 Leonard and George Farrell on the morning of 17th Royal visit to mark Diamond Jubilee...pg 3 December 2011 at Drummonds.” Lifetime LIME winners...pg 5 Other informed and reliable sources have informed Calypso Monarch crowned...pg 7 that the alleged misconduct continued in the vicinity Kids’ Korner...pg 8 of Police Headquarters at Youngest visitor to Montserrat...pg 11 Brades, where other senior
The DFID budget team of Karen McGeough, Richard Erleback, Drew TEtlow, Mary Thompson and Kato Kimbugwe, wrapped up their mission in Montserrat with a press conference at the Governor’s Office on Thursday, January 19, 2012. Their mission was twofold as noted in a Statement provided to the press and in writing at the end of the conference. To conduct a review of budget performance in 20111/12 and; assess the need for budgetary aid for the next three years covering 2012/13, 2013/14 and 2014/15. The press conference was a fairly lively one and must have been expected as the Montserrat Programme Manager, McGeough revealed that the discussions with the Montserrat teams have sometimes been not easy. The team made a statement at the beginning recalling that the current discussions were preceded by several visits by DFID ministers and officials all of last year, mentioning the various commitments an promises,
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Incident of arrests at Drummonds leaves two police officers on suspension
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officers had to restrain one of the officers. The release informed that, “The Governor has decided that in addition to the very comprehensive internal investigation undertaken to date, he should activate the provisions of a co-operation agreement on reciprocal law enforcement assistance between the Caribbean Overseas Territories.” As a result beginning early next week law enforcement officers from the Bermuda and Cayman police services to come to Montserrat to assist in the on-going investigation under the command and direction
of Deputy Commissioner Paul Morris. Following this they will, “present their findings to the Director of Public Prosecutions through the Governor.” Other credible and informed sources have also revealed that there may be more action and probably criminal charges brought against others who have been implicated in alleged wrong doing in connection with the incident. The Governor has undertaken to. ”keep the general public informed of relevant developments as they occur.