The moment is now - go out and
Friday, September 05, 2014
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Today’s Scripture The Father of the heavenly lights . . . does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17 (NIV)
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blunder
ress of Montserrat. Deliberately withholding the Group A modification of the Little Bay master plan and selecting the Group B plan at the Charette, was the worst move which when he would have wanted to be able to shine is now a dismal failure. Everything has gone wrong and rushed. But when one realizes how little has been achieved, all because of that which he has been accused, wanting to do everything himself and for himself. The public servants left without reason to provide support. Spending so much time being arrogant and insulting, belittling the one legislator who has accomplished over 100% in opposition what any before him has, including the premier himself. When you get accused to behaving as a “know all”, you need to have success to show for it. It is up to the politicians now cont’d. on page 8
by Bennette Roach The biggest blunder, though anyone might be able to see beyond it as a mistake, is the one manism act of Reuben T Meade in his years at the helm of government politically. This is his ignoring the benefits of consulting, not so much with the people of Montserrat even when that was most required, but his ministers as well, he is too grand to have advisors, so they do not exist. His blunder the SGP, while concentrating on Little Bay and Carrs Bay, set out on a part that would destroy the idea. Aided by the Governor he, true to form failed to follow the rules of disposing of government’s property and that includes its finances, by giving away to strangers, via incentives and tax concessions, as well as its ‘precious’ materials in the exclusion zone, thus encouraging the demolishing of private property in and outside the exclusion zone. Both he and the Governor then blame the police for not being vigilant. Montserrat gets NOTHING (someone or more do). In
Group A working on the old master plan A fact Montserrat subsidises the Tobacco factory and others non-beneficial to Montserrat. Another blunder, he and his ministers reject the advice of the Incentives Committee at the Premier’s whim. It has been a myth, this great negotiator, which has gone on and gone wrong because the motives have never been about the prog-
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Where does the truth lie?
I have been listening with ever-increasing amazement to the unchallenged multitude of lies told by Premier Minister Reuben T Meade in furthering his political ambition and by his boldness in challenging us to fact-check his lies and confabulations. Please consider
the following. Continued from last week - With the following caption: Fact-checking the Premier: Where does the truth lie? Have there been any negative consequences from
the Premier’s decision to flout the budgetary aid conditions set by DFID? During his appearance on the MCAP hour on August 1, 2014, Premier Meade gave the following lengthy and incoherent response to James White’s (Radio ZJB) ques-
tion about government’s authority in relation to the 4th bulleted item above about spending surplus funds in the ring-fenced contingency fund: Okay, the question is: What is contingency fund? The contingency fund, on cont’d. on page 6
Widow contemplates suing FlyMontserrat...pg 2
Lowering greenhouse gases...pg 3
Did Premier overreact?...pg 2
Local news in brief...pg 4
Caribbean local minsters meet...pg 3
Read more online - themontserratreporter.com
Bank of Montserrat Your Bank. Your Future.
LAND LOANS Enquire about interest rates from our Loans Department (664) 491 -3843
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Friday, September 05, 2014
Widow of deceased Did the Premier overreact? Or was this pilot contemplates suit against Montser- a genuine cause for concern all round? rat Airways Ltd. By Warren Cassell Montserrat Airways Limited - the operator of Fly Montserrat may soon face a lawsuit arising from the death of Captain Jason Forbes, the pilot killed when the company’s plane crashed at VC Bird International Airport in 2012. In speaking exclusively with Observer media, Captain Forbes’ widow, Florisca Forbes announced that she is contemplating legal action to hold the company accountable for the death of her husband suggesting that serious management failings led to the tragedy. In a report coming out of Antigua, Forbes told OBSERVER media, “What has me concerned is the approach Nigel (Harris) has taken with me – his lawyers too…I took a letter to the DPP here in Antigua and I sent one to Montserrat to look into the case and if required I’ll charge Nigel for corporate manslaughter because I don’t see nowhere else to go, I’m not getting justice for what
is happening.” Forbes also told the Antiguan media house that since the crash that also killed two passengers, she has not heard from the company for which he worked and for whom he was flying when he died. In addition she claimed she only received his pay for the month in which he died. “I’m not hearing anything… nobody has not said anything to me. Since that crash I haven’t heard from Nigel Harris, he hasn’t called me or written to me or my
mother-in-law, not even a letter. I am aggrieved, I’m upset. The baby is one now and by biggest son is six now. My children are fatherless,” Forbes said. At the time of the tragedy, Forbes was three months pregnant with her second child, the older son was four years old then. Apart from not hearing from Fly Montserrat, Forbes said she wrote to the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) seeking an update on the cause of the crash, but never got a response. In the meantime Fly Montserrat issued a statement to ZJB News on the claims of legal action being considered by the widow of former Fly Montserrat pilot Jason Forbes. In response the company says, Fly Montserrat’s Legal team continues to work with the legal teams representing all parties concerned in the unfortunate accident. Consistent with normal practice, the company says communication has been maintained and will continue to be maintained with the families through their chosen legal representatives. The statement also indicated that it would be inappropriate for Fly Montserrat to speak directly with any family member or to make any further comment at this time.
ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A.D. 2014 [PROBATE] In the Estate of QUILTON HORATIO TUITT, deceased. LEGAL NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that after expiration of (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of Quilton Horatio Tuitt late of Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat who died on the 11th of August 2014 at the University Hospital, Guadeloupe be granted to Gweneth Tuitt of Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat, the wife of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to a share in his Estate. ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned. FURTHER any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice whose address is: Office of the Registrar General, Brades, Montserrat, not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice. Dated this 4th day of September, 2014 GWENETH TUITT Applicant
By Warren Cassell Premier Reuben T. Meade called on residents to desist from petty political differences that are designed to create violence and disturbance during the election campaign. According to ZJB Radio Mr. Meade made a statement against the background of an incident which he claimed threatened his safety on Radio Montserrat premises on Monday night August 25. The reports reaching TMR are that during Mr. Meade’s interview with MNI Alive’s Jeevan Robinson Mr. Meade was asked whether he condone’s fear tactics and made the following statements: “I am not aware that MCAP is getting involved in any fear tactics. Let me put it this way. We don’t have any known criminals putting up signs in the dead of night in hoodies in Montserrat……. In Montserrat PDM is using a known criminal to put up the red plastic on all the lamp posts them and doing things in hoodies. At 3:15 in the morning you have two persons with hoodies coming out of Don Romeo’s house. It’s a statement I can backup with facts because I’ve seen the person myself. …So when you are talking about fear tactics, you have known drug people nominating the former leader of the opposition convicted of drugs and drug dealing in Montserrat and that’s the person nominating you…. Do you see anybody from MCAP in a hoodie going around sticking up things on people vehicles?” Further reports say that about 30 minutes after that Mr. Meade was informed that a young man was outside on ZJB’s Varandah. TMR has since learnt that the man to whom the Premier referred was Leverson Charles commonly known as “Goldie”. Mr. Meade remained inside and telephoned the Police who showed up. Persons who were present told TMR that Mr. Charles did not address Mr. Meade in any form or fashion but only exclaimed in amazement at how the police was contacted when there was no confrontation. Charles said the Police told him that the Premier said that he (Mr. Charles) should have
nothing to do with him (the Premier). Speaking on the Breakfast Show the following morning, Premier Meade explained that he was forced to call the police to provide escort from the Radio Station to his home, because his personal safety was compromised. He is calling for a clean and peaceful campaign free of violence and the threat of violence. Premier Meade while accusing MCAP and PDM supporters for inciting violence, also made it clear that he doesn’t want Montserrat to go through an election where he is fighting to retain political office at the expense of the island. “The day I need police protection is the day I totally give up politics”. This many find ironic since it was the Premier who requested the police’s presence, after he made unsavoury remarks and before he was accosted about them. While some shared a similar concern, many felt that the incident was blown out of proportion. MNI Alive’s Jeevan Robinson, fact checking during this election season tracked down the individuals the Premier referred to as “hooded individuals” who visited Don Romeo’s house at 3 a.m. and conducted an exclusive interview. According to Miss Carmelita Kirwan, she resides in the village of Davy Hill and had a medical emergency. She turned to the leader of the Opposition. “I walked from my home in Davy Hill to Mr. Romeo’s home. When I knocked on the door the mom answered. She told me that he was sleeping…he responded and he didn’t hesitate and took me to casualty,” she said. She explained that her
daughter who accompanied her was dressed in what is referred to as ‘a hoodie’ (as seen in photo below). The MNI Alive’s Editor-in-Chief also caught up with Martha Farrell who nominated Don Romeo seeking her response to being referrred to as a “criminal”. She told Mr. Robinson that as the Premier he should not come on the radio and make such a comment. She also said that she has during and since prison sought to improve herself and became certified to take care of the elderly. Meantime, political leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Donaldson Romeo is also reaching out to supporters, as well as citizens and friends in what he calls this tense moment leading up to the September 11th poll. Romeo is calling on residents to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner at all times. Meanwhile Charles told TMR that there was never an intention on his part to confront the Premier with any violence. “I felt that he is a down to earth man that I could have reasoned with. It is unfortunate that he took such drastic action. I only attended the station to speak to Mr. Meade to express how disappointed I was at his remarks.” When the story unfold ed the question by many asked about the Premier’s statement that he saw ‘criminals in hoodies’ out side Romeo’s house at 3-O’Clock in the morning. “Could that be true? What was he doing there?” Miss Carmelita Kirwan with her daughter who accompanied her dressed in a “hoodie”. Image courtesy mnialive.com
Sagicor Life Insurance Inc.
WE, COLLIN AND CARNIE MEADE of Barzey’s Montserrat, having made sworn deposition that Policy No. BMT328424 issued by British American Insurance Company Limited prior to transfer of such policy to Sagicor Life Inc on the life of Deceased, Joseph Meade has been lost, and having made application to the Directors to grant a duplicate of same, notice is hereby given that unless objection is raised within one month of the date hereof, the duplicate policy asked for will be issued. Dated: 1st September, 2014 By Order Althea Hazzard Corporate Secretary
Friday, September 05, 2014
EDITORIAL Insult, disrespect and lack of integrity guarantee mediocrity In our estimation we find it is so insulting that the MCAP retiring government should find it prudent one week before general elections to take the elderly and vulnerable on a tour of the exclusion zone. Some persons see it as a good gesture. What we say, not when it is done as such an obvious election campaign ploy. The Rotary Club did something similar some time back. But isn’t that similar to within the last few weeks dropping off chicken to the people in Lookout. For five (5) years they ignored the call from Donaldson Romeo and to increase the elderly and vulnerable upkeep support. Few weeks before elections, they short change them when HMG says it is willing to do the right thing. (See fact checking the Premier in this issue). Then they say the able bodied will only get increase when they work at least part time. That in a country where the real able bodied cannot find work. Let us hope that people will see these insulting and wicked behaviour. Isn’t this depraved and more insulting, preying on the saying that people in Montserrat memory short. Let them suffer for five years, like so too, the public servants, workers generally who have been suffering for five years, no wage or salary increase, kill the economy, increase cost of living and now try to sweeten and kill the memory. It’s been bad and people will not easily forget. The same will be true for those who they exclude from the wealth spread. Contrary to what some people have been propagating it is not surprising to discover or to confirm that our Premier has over the years been putting and pulling down Montserrat to a very low ebb on the British front. That of course if we can admit and recognize that the boasts are not real and hypocritical at the least. When one knows just some of the details they realise that really they (ministers in particular) are really just making a mockery of a major majority of the people of Montserrat. Man from Baker Hill has often said and wrote that we are the laughing stock outside. It is no wonder then that so many people treat each other as if Montserrat is not part of the real world since they would usually know that some of the information passed on to us are not much of the truth. Ever notice how much, especially recently is spouted on the morning show or government programs? Not at press conferences where the press can demand proof of various statements, such as “…just today I received a letter from one of our investors…” that said so and so. Other statements about what a UK minister said, none of which is easily verified without the resources so to do. Saying that, not holding press conferences is a way of furthering the irrelevance of the newspaper. Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com says, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years as an award-winning investigative journalist, it’s that you should never trust official stories... especially when they contradict all the earlier evidence.” They have put Montserrat in the pits of disrespect, contrary to the impression they’ve given us; it is what they have come to know. The Governor must be aware of this or else he is must be very low on his boss’s ratings, when he continues to condone the Premier’s disrespect to them. It is not difficult now to understand the terrible report that DFID have been given to Montserrat on the eve of election. Never before have we heard party members campaign publicly against each other. The newcomers to MCAP have been campaigning against even the Premier, criticizing that things could have been better and proceeding to be critical of housing, hospital, education, agriculture, culture. A confused voter expressed the sentiment of many and enquired if these MCAP candidates were working for the opposition. What disrespect and lack of integrity. It has been difficult to believe the reports about the mighty Disney offering to build a cruise port and all the onland amenities and facilities to support their cruise customers who would visit on their cruise ships, to be turned down and then expect the British government to turn around and build one. The response, we learned though still to be confirmed, when asked why the turn down, “there is no money in it.” No money for whom? And how many ministers were in on that discussion and who made the decision? Can anyone who continue to support this behaviour ever honestly claim an interest in the welfare of Montserrat?
The Montserrat Reporter Published by: Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - Editor: Bennette Roach Office: Davy Hill, Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, Montserrat, W.I. Typeset and Printed by Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - monp_p@candw.ms. Tel. (664) 491-4715 Fax: (664) 491-2430 E-mail: editor@themontserratreporter.com or monrep@candw.ms - Web Site: http://www.themontserratreporter.com
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Caribbean local government ministers meet in the Bahamas NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC - Local government ministers from the Caribbean met over the weekend to finalise the agreement of the Caribbean Forum of Local Government Ministers (CFLGM). CFLGM’s eighth general meeting also discussed the Regional Policy and Cooperation Framework (RPCF) as well as securing recognition by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). CFLGM has set 2014
as the deadline for signing off on the RPCF by member states. So far the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have endorsed the RPCF. Bahamas Local Government Minister Alfred Gray said the meeting also sought to set the stage for carrying out the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as having CARICOM leaders sanction the recommenda-
tions “to advance and approve the Millennium goals in 2015. “I believe it is very true to say that regional bodies such as the Caribbean conference and the international conferences of local government, their efforts seem to work together to ensure that every country in the Caribbean is on the same page when it comes to deepening democracy and advancing the cause of local governments throughout the world,” Gray said.
OECS and SIDS Member States - call for a reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions
OECS and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) call on countries that are signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gasses because of the increasing concerns about the impacts of climate change. At least three OECS Member States addressed the International conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa from September 1 to 4, 2014, on the urgent need for sufficient special attention regarding the impacts of climate change. Dr. James Fletcher, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Sustainable
Development, suggested that the apparent eagerness of some to prematurely graduate some Small Island Developing States to middle income status is among many factors which has impacted negatively on the approach by the community of island nations to address several challenges. The new status, he said, was based on outmoded criteria that are out of step with empirical studies on vulnerability and resilience. Dr. Fletcher also linked the delayed progress in dealing with challenges confronting SIDS to other factors including prolonged economic recession; dwindling support and the failure of key
partners to fulfil pledges to scale up climate finance. Dr. Fletcher expressed his disappointment over the lack of assistance, the seeming nonchalance of developed countries on reducing carbon emissions, and the disadvantage to SIDS of being labelled “middle income.” Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell says the impact of climate change has become so apparent that sustainable economic development has taken on a new meaning and a new urgency. He said that in small island states economic development can be unsustainable when climate
cont’d. on page 4
Our Scripture Verse Today Always The Same
The Father of the heavenly lights . . . does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17 (NIV) My wife, Holly, had decided to surprise our daughter Jessie at her school for kindergarten lunch. After they finished eating, Holly suggested a game of Telephone (also called Gossip), where the first person whispers a phrase or sentence into the next person’s ear. The second person passes on what they thought they heard, until all participants have received the message. Then, the last person says aloud what was said to them. Usually, the final statement is vastly different from the initial one. Jessie started one of the rounds by whispering, “God is always the same.” The
game went on, around the table, through several little kindergartners, until the final statement was revealed: “God is always the same.” The original statement had not changed at all. James 1:17 tells us that God is steadfast, unchanging. Numbers 23:19 also speaks of God’s faithfulness: “God is not human, that he should lie . . . [or] change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” We can trust and rely on God. Over a period of several thousand years, God promised the Messiah — and that promise was filled in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. How amazing was this steadfast promise! Larry Crockett (Tennessee, USA)
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Crown Counsel Kristen Dr. Franklin Perkins offers Taylor offers firm message to new diagnostic equipment Secondary School students
There is to be a much Digital Color greater flexibility on is- Doppler Ultraland to diagnose and treat sound Diagnosdiseases. Montserrat Secondary School, tic System This is according to Salem medical practitioner Dr. Franklyn Perkins who on Tuesday unveiled a new state-of-the-art diagnostic system which will be used in his private practice to detect patient illnesses. Dr. Perkins, who operates out of his Cudjoe Head Offices, according to ZJB News spoke of a Full Digital Colour Doppler Ultra Sound Diagnostic System which he says is designed to improve patient care. system also shows blood tility of the equipment also He says the system flow in relation to these allows for the diagnosis looks inside the body, sees organs identifying any of associated problems inside the organs, and can which made need correcThe Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) 2014-2015 school year opened with stu- diagnose diseases that af- abnormalities therein. tion sooner rather than Dr. Perkins explains dents receiving a stern message from a legal professional who has seen the consequences fect the organs. later. that the wide-raging versaof poor choices. Dr. Perkins says the Crown Counsel in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, Kristen Taylor was one of the speakers at the school’s Opening Assembly—held under the theme ‘Articulate, Aspire, Achieve’ In her presentation, Miss Taylor encouraged the students to make the best of the educont’d. from page 3 to recognise the special circum- international community on the cation privileges on island. change shatters years of develop- stances of SIDs and for stronger peculiar circumstances of SIDs, She also implored the pupils to take responsibility for their own learning. ment leaving many islands highly partnerships to fight climate and the need for appropriate The Criminal lawyer also cautioned them against making bad choices—some of which indebted. On the issue of growth, change by building resilience measures to to overcome these may have legal consequences. Mr. Mitchell pointed to the need to economic and environmental challenges. Special emphasis is being placed on strengthening to consider the trillion dollar shocks. existing partnerships and the The Member States are renewable energy market which building of new effective ones to also of the view that along with could resuscitate the struggling ensure the sustainable developclimate change, extreme weather economies of the region which ment of SIDs. events and fl ailing economies, currently spend significantly on there are a myriad of other The OECS Commission’s fossil fuels. Prime Minister Mitchissues that require urgent and Director General who is also part ell added that given the high cost focused attention, among them, of the meeting, has met with key for electricity the island states non-communicable and emerging international agencies and has are ideal for introducing renewdiseases that place a strain on held bilateral talks on OECS colable energies. He suggested the laboration with the UN Food and At his last press conference hosted by H E Governor Davis, Dr. Kato Kimbugwe need to transform climate crises health systems. The international confer- Agriculture Organisation FAO. had confirmed his departure from office in Montserrat, announcing at the same time his into climate opportunities. ence which follows two previous The Director General also held replacement the Department for International Development (DFID) Resident RepresentaSt. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime sittings in Barbados in 1994 talks with the CARICOM team at tive, Martin Dawson. Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas called Mr. Dawson will take up office from Monday September 15 following Dr. Kato Kim- on the international community and Mauritius in 2005, seeks the SIDS meeting for coordinatto focus the attention of the ing issues of regional interest. bugwe who served in this capacity since 2010. Dawson who is the outDr. Kato Kimbugwe OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRAT going Deputy Head of DFID IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE Malawi says he is looking A.D. 2014 forward to playing his part in (PROBATE) helping Montserrat achieve sustainable economic growth In the estate of PETER SYLVESTER RYNER, deceased and increased financial indeLEGAL NOTICE pendence. He hails from the United NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date Kingdom and has been a hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order career Civil Servant since that Letters of Administration with Will attached in the Estate of PETER SYLVESTER RYNER late of Banks, Montserrat, who died on the 29th day of July, 2013 at the leaving college. For over 27 years, Daw- Glendon Hospital, St. John’s, Montserrat, be granted to JENNIFER RYNER of Manjack, son spent most of those years Montserrat, the Lawful Attorney of PHILBERT WILLIAM RYNER the Personal overseas in South East Asia, Representative of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to share in the Estate. South Asia, Central Asia ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested therein are requested forthwith to and Africa. Reports say he send particulars to me the undersigned. focused on International Development working for FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicants should the Department for Interna- notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice no later than fourteen (14) days from tional Development and the the date of the notice. DATED the 1st day of September 2014 Foreign and Commonwealth Chivone Gerald Office. ALLEN MARKHAM & ASSOCIATES
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
New DFID representative Martin Dawson begins duty in Montserrat
Friday, September 05, 2014
Caribbean Round Up By Azad Ali
Antigua Antigua and Barbuda is hoping that China will provide US$18 million towards the expansion of the Five Islands Secondary School to the University College Antigua. Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who was on an official visit to Beijing, has officially informed the principals of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) of the intention of his government regarding the facility, according to a government statement.
The Bahamas government has paid tribute to Latore Mackey, the former Deputy Director of the Bahamas Information Service (BIS), who was shot dead on Market Street recently. Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said he was “saddened” by the murder, adding that Mackey, on joining the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) worked “like a fish in water.” “He carried out excellent work at the Bahamas Information Services and in the Office of the Prime Minister. He was the future of our party. Now we have lost him too soon,” Mitchell said in a statement. Police are working on a theory that an argument inside a nearby club may have led to his killing. Mackey was the owner of Blue Sports Bar and Lounge in the capital, Nassau.
Grenada Antigua PM Gaston Browne It said prior to leaving Antigua, Prime Minister Browne toured the facilities at Five Islands with Chinese Ambassador Ren Gongping and noted that the new proposal will include student dorms, an expanded library, expanded ICT facility, Olympic size swimming pool and tennis courts. Prime Minister Browne said he has already started talks with the University of the West Indies (UWI) on establishing the local university and that the government will be appointing a National Committee with a corresponding committee from the UWI to produce a proposal for collaboration and timeframe for implementation. The statement said that Prime Minister Bowne is expected to finalize the agreement for US$18 million towards the expansion of the facility of Five Islands.
The Grenada senate has given the green light to legislation governing casino gambling that the government said would further enhance the vital tourism industry. The Senate recently followed the Lower House that last month unanimously approved the legislation that would provide certain guidelines for casino gambling in Grenada.
Economic and Planning Minister Oliver Joseph
“Now that we have approval from both Houses for the bill, the process is not yet complete as it has to receive the assent of the governor general and be published in Bahamas the Government Gazette,” Economic and Planning Minister Oliver Joseph told the media during the weekly post-cabinet meeting. The legislation makes it an offense for Grenadians to participate in gambling activities. The legislation notes that only hotels with more Foreign Affairs Minister Fred than 300 rooms can apply for a license to offer casino gamMitchel
ing as part of its entertainment package. The casino facility must be on the same compound with the hotel. Guyana The main opposition Finance Minister Peter Philgrouping A Partnership for lip National Unity (APNU) has etary Fund (IMF) as the govcalled on President Donald ernment continues to meet Ramoutar to do more than key economic objectives outlined in a four-year deal. Finance Minister Peter Phillip says the IMF recently finished a fifth review of the country’s economic performance. He said officials will continue to reduce debt and reform the tax and labor market sectors, among other things. Jamaica’s government said in a statement that it has so far secured US$44 Economic and Planning million in funding in the Minister Oliver Joseph first year of a US$930 million loan package with the talk in dealing with the ilWashington-based financial legal drug trade in Guyana. institution. “He must become perJamaica sonally involved in directing The London-based the war on illegal narcotics Privy Council has granted which, apparently, are now leave to convicted hijacker being exported on an indusStephen Fray, to appeal his trial scale. The president’s 83-year jail term for the response to the recent disattempted hijacking of a Cacovery of a self-propelled nadian aircraft in the western semi-submarine marine vescity of Montego Bay in 2009. sel in the Barima-Waini Region is deeply disturbing,” the APNU said in a statement. Ramoutar was quoted in the Government Information Agency (GINA) as saying that the government will spend “whatever necessary” to deal with the illegal drug trade. convicted hijacker Stephen Fray “We have limited reFray’s legal team is consources and we have competing areas that we want to put tending that medical eviour money into,” Ramoutar dence of his mental disorder was rejected and the standard said. But APNU describe the used to judge his mental statement as “weak” add- condition had bene outdated. They argued that a naring “it ignores the facts, that for two decades the row approach was taken in People’s Progressive Party/ assessing his true mental Civic (PP/C) has failed to state, and this error resulted curb trafficking in illegal in the conviction. Fray was convicted in narcotics. The APNU said it was October 2009, one eight calling on President Ra- counts for illegal possession moutar to “immediately ex- of firearm, shooting with ecute a credible national intent, assault at common drug strategy master plan; law and breaches of the establish an effective na- Airport Act, arising from the tional enforcement structure; attempted hijacking. Although sentenced to enforce current legislation vigorously; and equip the 83 years, Fray is to serve 20 security forces with the as- years because the sentences are to run concurrent. sets to curb the trade.” Fray lost his appeal in Jamaica Jamaica says it expects Jamaica in 2011, to have to receive US$71 million the sentence and conviction from the International Mon- overturned.
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However, Fray and his attorney have maintained that he was mentally ill in April 2009, when he attempted to hijack the Canjet flight with 159 passengers and crew at the Sangster International Airport with a loaded gun. St. Lucia The European Union (EU) has provided St. Lucia with EC$ 14.3 million worth of diagnostic equipment for the new National Hospital. The donation is the first phase of the EU’s total contribution to the hospital, valued at EC$32 million. The pieces of equipment installed and tested so far are CT scanners, a mammography system and the general x-ray unit. Part of the equipping agreement is for the suppliers to provide training to the technicians who will be responsible for the maintenance of the equipment as well as the end-users. The training is ongoing for the teams from the Victoria Hospital in the capital. A team from St. Jude hospital in the south is also participating to ensure all relevant personnel across public tertiary-care institutions are trained. St. Vincent Former St. Vincent Registrar of the High Court Tamara Gibson-Marks is to re-appear in court on Oct. 7, 2014 after she was granted EC$30,000 bail on charges of theft, abuse of office and false certification. The St. Lucian-born Gibson-Marks pleaded not guilty when she appeared before Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Martin four months after she was asked to resign during a 30-minute meeting with Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan. Gibson-Mark was charged with the theft of EC$21,925 between April 30 and May 21, 2014 and providing a certificate “which was to your knowledge false in material.” In addition, she was charged with “being employed in the Public Service
did in direct abuse of the authority of your office as Registrar of the High Court.” Gibson-Marks is also due to appear in court in September to answer disciplinary proceedings instituted by the Attorney General. She is being asked to show cause why she should not be disbarred from practicing law in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Trinidad Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she would not pull back the controversial Constitution (Amendment) Bill and was prepared to commit political suicide for if it came to that.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla PersadBissessar
She threw out a challenge to the electorate to vote out the People’s Partnership in the 2015 general election if they did not want the bill. Hundreds protested outside the Parliament building in Port of Spain when the Senate began to debate the contentious bill. The House of Representatives has already passed the legislation. As tensions arouse outside, Persad-Bissessar in piloting the bill in the Senate said: “For those of the view that I am committing political suicide, I am prepared to take that risk. I am not daunted. As a politician and a prime minister, my interest is not for my political survival but for the people.” There is a public outcry and criticisms over a proposal to change the British Westminster-style voting of first pass the post to a runoff system, which opposition politicians see is a move to eliminate third parties. The bill seeks to change the electoral process by introducing a runoff provision, the right to recall MPs and establishing Former St. Vincent Registrar fixed term limits for prime of the High Court Tamara ministers. Gibson-Marks Compiled by Azad Ali
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Where truth lies? cont’d. from page 5
the basis of the agreements which we had, was always signed off by your local DFID official so they are part of the discussions. If funds are not spent and I’ll use the global figure of March 31st but generally, the week before March 31st, you lose those monies. And if you are asking for a decision from East Kilbride and they are slow on making the decision, I will not send that money back. We will make a decision which we believe is reasonable and realistic and defend it in any further discussions. Contingency funds, for example, you have somebody sick and need to go overseas, contingency funds. The contingency fund also include an allocation in the event that there is a hurricane or something happens on the volcano so we don’t have to run and say okay, we need some more money; we can spend it out of that. Thank God, we did not have a hurricane last year. Thank God the volcano behaved itself so there would have been a set of money which you had to send back. As the Minister of Finance, I had to make a decision and signed off by the officials because we can’t spend it unless the officials sign off. And I say, look: we’re going talk about it when you come to the next mission. Okay? Now, let us understand one of the….one of the variables that has happened here. Sometimes people will see us with the DFID team out liming after sessions. My statement to them, especially the new ones: as soon as you cross this line that is in the conference and the meeting starts, I am not your friend. As soon as the meeting finish and we close the door, we can go and have a drink, we are friends but the minute you step back inside here, we are at war again. You had a new lady who came in as head of mission. She did not understand the Montserrat context. She was holding on for somebody or the head of unit who was on maternity leave. So she would not have been in discussions in East Kilbride in the first instance and therefore, her understanding of the arrangement was different to the understanding of the particular head that she was holding on for. As she said to me in London in June: Reuben, you know that I am going off to Africa. The substantive head is coming back so you deal with those issues with her. So whereas, yes, we have the aid memoire and as I indicate, we have still been
having fruitful and frank discussions but I am not any figurehead in Montserrat. I am the Minister of Finance and the Premier of Montserrat and until that time, it is my right to fight to spend the money in the best interests of the people of Montserrat and argue about the consequences afterwards. You have not seen any negative consequences. Now one the things which you have never heard a member of team MCAP in government say—I can tell you for a fact—you have never heard Mr Kirnon say it; you’ve never heard Mr Farrell say it; you’ve never heard Mr Riley say it; you’ve never heard Jermaine say it; and when Mundo was here with us, he never say it either: We never once said our hands are tied, never once. Why? Because we are going to fight and if we have to say to them: no we are not accepting what you are putting on the table, we will say to them, despite the consequences, we are a government who make decision and as long as cabinet ratify those decisions, the decisions are legal and lawful and we will defend them in any argument. If we can’t agree at the public service level and the people who come dung yah a public servants, I have the right to go to the minister as two politicians and indicate to him: look, this is what I had to do because of the situation and we had developed a sufficient rapport that we can pick up the telephone and call one another. Given that the Aid Memoire is a document to which the government agreed, is the Premier saying that he agreed to a document that contains false information? Was he lying each time he told us that GoM must adhere to conditions attached to aid funding or suffer the consequences? Earlier, in the interview, Mr Meade admitted that surplus contingency funds were used: “… but at least we were able to meet some special project needs from within that including spending some money to rehabilitate the road going to New Windward.” In fact, at its January 2014 sitting, the Legislature approved the transfer of $850,000 from the ring-fenced Contingency Fund for the New Windward road as part of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill No 3 of 2013. And does the premier really expect anyone believes that DFID officials keep the minutes of meetings in their head rather than in writing? Clearly, one glaring negative consequence of the Premier’s decisions to use surpluses without permis-
sion is DFID’s decision not to pursue a pay increase to public servants effective April 1, 2014. With respect to the Premier’s claim that he is “not any figurehead in Montserrat” consider the implications of the following from the 2014-15 Budget Aid Business Case: “Governor to discourage and potentially overrule conferment of tax exemptions where economic justification absent” in order to mitigate the risk (classified as medium) that “Public service reforms in revenue and customs fail to deliver increased effectiveness and efficiency, and / or political interference in the form of tax exemptions leading to lower revenues for GoM.” Did the MCAP government lay off government employees? The Premier boasts continually that his government have not laid-off a single civil servant. Yet, according to paragraph 20 of the Montserrat Budget Aid Memoire, February 2013: “DFID is encouraged by progress made on the outsourcing of some government services. By January 2013 GoM had outsourced: (i) school bus services; (ii) school meals; and, (iii) cleaning services. This exercise has resulted in the removal of 31 staff or 13.5 FTE from the public service payroll with associated redundancy costs met from the recurrent budget. This reduces GoM FTE posts from 972 in 2012 to 959. GoM said a further 7 FTE posts would be deleted, reducing the number of FTE posts to 952. Further reductions through the planned GoM organisational review and outsourcing initiatives should provide opportunities to reduce this further.” Do the people 31 people who lost their jobs from outsourcing not count as public servants in the eyes of MCAP? Is government telling us one thing and DFID another? Furthermore, if government receives funding for a significant number of unfilled vacant posts over several years (including 83 for 2014-15), why was it necessary to lay off any one? Per paragraph 85 of the 201415 Montserrat Budget Business Case: “As of February 2014 approved headcount is at 955. Whilst this appears to be a slight increase put down to requirements for a new audit office, in fact only 877 are currently filled. The significant numbers of vacant posts that continue year on year suggest some room for efficiency improvements in the human resource
structure. Meanwhile, the approved target for 2014/15 has risen to 960 due to restructuring of Finance. Once the organisational functional reviews have been completed (due March 2014) GoM will further consider headcount requirements.” Remember, back in 1992, Chief Minister Reuben Meade said that the lay-offs in public works were caused by a reorganisation of the department which was aimed at making the work of the department more effective and more costefficient. Another 40+ were put on a 3-day work week. Was the Internal Audit Unit created at DFID’s instigation? On August 1, 2014, while attempting to clarify the 201415 Budget Aid Memoire, the Premier said: “In terms of public sector reform, there are funds which have been provided for public sector reform and within that, the statement is very clear. The agreement with DFID in terms of funding is that our full-time employees should not go beyond 950. This is number 14 in the Aid Memoire and it states that the full-time employees currently stand at 955. This is five more than of April 2013 but we attributed that to the internal
audit department which was created at their instigation so therefore, give us a break on those five, five additional persons. The reason why I am mentioning the 955 is that people are claiming that we can do this and we can do that. The 955 is in relation to what is set as a standard for public finance and public financial management that personal emolument and benefits should not be higher than 50% of your total spend. Ours is currently—including pensions—way beyond the 50%. If one was to deal with a salary increase without a concomitant increase in certain other areas, we would go beyond that benchmark and we’ll be punished.” Well, if the Internal Audit Unit was created just because DFID insisted on it, the Premier should be ashamed for not fulfilling his duties as Minister of Finance because not only is it international best practice but also section 10 of the Public Finance (Management and Accountability) Act 2008 requires the establishment of an internal audit “to review the financial management systems operated by Ministries, Departments, statutory bodies and public organisations.” And yes, this includes the Project
Implementation Unit. Concerning his reference to standards for public financial management, as indicated above, whereas government receives funding for 960 full-time employees, it only employs 877, which raises additional questions about the Premier’s unilateral decision to refuse an offer for a civil service pay increase effective April 1, 2014. According to the 2014-15 Budget Aid Memoire: “On the expenditure side, there has been an estimated EC$2m underspend on wages this year due [20132014] to unfilled posts in the civil service, which has offset the lower than expected tax receipts. There was a similar underspend on wages in the 2012/13 budget.” “Domestic revenues in 2013/14 have been lower than were forecast at the beginning of the financial year, in particular from income and property tax receipts. There has been limited progress in collecting tax arrears and little sign of an improvement in tax efficiency and compliance. Overall domestic revenues in 2013/14 are around $EC1½ million lower than assumed in the budget set at the beginning of the fiscal year.” Is the Project Implemen-
Montserrat Community College Board of Governors VACANCY NOTICE PRINCIPAL – MONTSERRAT COMMUNITY COLLEGE Applications are invited from suitably qualified persons for the post of Principal, Montserrat Community College. JOB PURPOSE To be the academic and administrative head of the Montserrat Community College and thereby supervise and direct the academic work of the College, and the academic, administrative and other staff of the College. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES The person engaged shall hold the post of Principal – Montserrat Community College and shall perform and discharge all such powers, functions and duties entrusted to the Principal under the provisions of the Monserrat Community College Act (CAP 16.06). PERSONNEL SPECIFICATIONS Applicants should: •
Have a post graduate degree, Masters or PhD in education, preferably in post-secondary, higher or adult education.
•
Have at least five years successful experience in higher education administration or teaching at the tertiary level and/or in managing a post-secondary institution.
•
Have excellent oral and communication skills and human relation skills.
•
Be visionary, dynamic, creative and innovative and be able and willing to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.
See full and further details for: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, SUPERVISION, REMUNERATION and APPLICATION PROCEDURE
at www.themontserratreporter.com and at www.gov.ms. Applications are to to reach The Chairman, Board of Governors, Montserrat Community College no later than Friday, August 22, 2014.
Friday, September 05, 2014
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Where does the truth lie?
tation Unit (PIU) a legally constituted government body? After dodging answering this question since the creation of the PIU in 2009, the Premier, when interviewed by Jeevan Robinson on August 25, 2014, finally admitted that PIU’s operations would be “regularized” this fiscal year. Section 2.9 of the Auditor General Report for Fiscal Year 2009 says: “Our review revealed that there are several central government agencies that are operating bank accounts outside the ambit of the Treasury Consolidated Fund.” The Report listed 12 ‘below the line’ accounts, 11 of which fall within the Premier’s portfolio, including PIU’s bank account at the Bank of Montserrat. Paragraphs 55 – 57 of this report state: 55. This is contrary to the Public Finance (Management and Accountability) Act 2008 which states that all revenues should be deposited to the Consolidated Fund and all expenditures appropriated by Parliament. Such activities restrict the Treasury’s ability to manage government cash flows effectively and more importantly, prevent it from pooling resources in a manner that allows it to get better terms for short-term debts (overdrafts) or higher returns on investments. 56. Further, such arrangements dilute the Treasury’s responsibility to monitor all government expenditures and hence pose a fiduciary risk to government. When there are bank accounts outside the Treasury’s control it becomes more difficult to monitor and hence increases risk. Since transactions processed through these accounts are not reported publicly, they raise transparency issues and undermine the credibility of the public accounts as not all central government expenditures would be recorded in the accounts. 57. To mitigate the issues detailed above we recommend that all accounts be closed and paid into the Consolidated Fund. Do able-bodied, unemployed persons qualify for social welfare? We have all heard the Premier and some of his MCAP colleagues say that there’s a significant number of social welfare recipients who are able-bodied and capable of working. If this is truly the case, clearly, the Social Welfare Board has been contravening Schedule 2 of the Social Welfare Regulations (below) and with ministerial approval. SCHEDULE 2 – ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND ENTITLEMENT Purpose of the Eligibility Criteria The purpose of these criteria is to determine which groups of persons may be eligible to receive financial assistance under the Social Welfare Act. Persons from eligible groups who do not satisfy the Means Test will not receive assistance and similarly persons who satisfy the means test but do not fulfil any of the relevant criteria will not be entitled to help. Overriding Qualifications The following are overriding qualifications in that, if an applicant and the relevant members of that applicant’s household do not fulfil these, they will not be eligible for support regardless of any other circumstances. In order to qualify, applicants must: ● Have the legal status of Citizen or Residents of Montserrat ● Have not intentionally renounced an otherwise valuable source of income in order to qualify for assistance ● Make a full declaration of their financial resources, and satisfy the upper limits of income and assets currently pertaining. ● Not be in receipt of any other payment from government by way of remuneration, pension or social security payment or other similar monies except in relation to Social Security pensioners with no other means and whose pension from social security is below the welfare threshold. ● Understand that payments will be made in respect of households and that no household will be entitled to more than one payment at any time. 2. Specific Criteria. Any applicant, in respect of a household, must satisfy at least one of the following criteria in order to qualify: Age. Persons over 60 who have no means of support (this includes savings, remittances from abroad, family support in finance or kind or social security or pensions) and who are not in full time care Dependants Persons unable to work but who have dependent children and who have no other means of support; Persons rendered unable to work by the requirements of dependent family members and who have no other support financially or in kind. Disability. Persons who cannot support themselves by reason of prolonged sickness and/or physical and/or mental
disability. The fact is that able-bodied persons of working age who cannot find work will find it extremely difficult to qualify for social welfare and of course, Montserrat has no unemployment benefits scheme. Can government borrow money as it sees fit? The Premier has made claims, repeatedly and dishonestly, which suggest that GoM can borrow money as it sees fit. For instance, on February 7, 2014 (Warren Cassell Show), he said: “When the MCAP administration came in, within the first year and said if we cannot get funding from elsewhere, we will go and borrow $30 million to develop our power supply here. And people say, dem fella they are crazy or who a go pay for this $30 million? Had we not started that process, DFID would not have been in a position to say, of the $30 million, we are going to give you $23 million; just go and borrow the other seven. So it is part of your strategic approach in terms of how do you negotiate. Are you going to sit back and say me nar do nutten but me a go start to negotiate? We are simply saying if you don’t give us the money, we’re going borrow it; the contingent liability is on you. So therefore, help us out here.” However, the following authoritaƟve sources say otherwise: Per section 98(2) of the Montserrat Constitution Order, “The Government shall not borrow, guarantee or raise a loan on behalf of itself or any other public institution, authority or person except— (a) as authorised by or under an Act of the Legislature; and (b) in accordance with any borrowing guidelines agreed with Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.” According to paragraph 20 of the 2013/14 Montserrat Budget Business Case & Summary: “As an aided Overseas Territory, Montserrat is not allowed to borrow according to HMT guidelines though one exception was made by HMG on value for money grounds (concessional loan and grant funding from the Caribbean Development Bank relating to the new power station).” Every Appropriation Act passed under the MCAP administration contains a similar section on Restrictions. For example, Section 6 of the Appropriation Act 2014 is clear: “Notwithstanding the provisions of the Public Finance (Management and Accountability) Act 2008 or any other law in force in Montserrat, the following acts, whether by the Government or by any statutory authority shall require the prior approval of a Secretary of State— (a) the incurring of any expenditure additional to that provided for under this Act other than expenditure financed wholly by grant; (b) borrowing from any source except by means of the fluctuating overdraft referred to in section 5; or (c) the giving of any loan guarantee.” Has outsourcing reduced the cost of the school bus service? Recently, the Premier publicly denigrated a former MCAP colleague in the Legislative Assembly when the opposition member dared suggest that outsourcing of the school bus service did not achieve value for money as the cost of delivering this service had actually increased, which the Premier denied emphatically. It appears that opposition member was correct. Paragraph 24 of the 2014-15 Budget Aid Memoire says: “Education expenditure is an estimated 8.3% of the total 2014/15 budget, compared with a Caribbean regional average of 11.9% and a global median of 14.4% in 2011. New spend requests this year include EC$600,000 (two thirds of overall spend requests) for the school bus subsidy, following outsourcing of the service from government last year, which has significantly increased the cost.” In contrast, the Premier delivered the following convoluted and deceptive explanation about outsourcing of the school bus service during MCAP’s Hour on Radio ZJB on August 1, 2014: You look at the expenditure side and therefore, you’re looking at where the pressures were on the budget. And I want to look at item 6 on the Aid Memoire. One was to deal with the contingency fund, less dilaster-related [sic] spending needs in the previous year; that also put some pressure on the budgets but at least we were able to meet some special project needs from within that including spending some money to rehabilitate the road going to New Windward. One of the things which they highlighted was an overspend of half a billion [sic] dollars on the school bus service. We need to understand what is understood by ‘overspend’. Because there was no provision for these resources within the budget as discussed by the ministry then we needed to ask them for additional money in order to pay for the school bus service and therefore, we had to ask for that additional money of half of million dollars based on a contract which we have in relation to the school bus service. But we’ll come back to the school
bus situation in a bit. But just touching on the school bus service is that the outsourcing of the school bus service was an element which was agreed on between ourselves and DFID in a prior-year discussion. I know that some of the ministers were totally against the whole element of outsourcing but because it was a condition of the aid funding, we had to agree on the outsourcing. The other element is that outsourcing of a school bus service has to be tendered, has to be negotiated and confirmed by the Tenders Board where ministers of government do not have any say whatsoever. What has come out of the outsourcing? Coming out of the outsourcing now is additional (of the school bus service) is an additional allocation which will be given to deal with putting up new buildings at the Montserrat Secondary School. So you’re giving on something so you outsource the school bus because it’s a condition which they have established for you and as a result of doing that you then now have the resources available for building the two additional blocks at the secondary school within the coming financial year. But here’s what government posted on its website December 10, 2012 concerning the privatization of the school bus service (hƩp://www.gov.ms/2012/12/10/school-bus-serviceprivaƟsed-as-of-january-1-2013-fees-to-be-increased/): School bus service privatised as of January 1, 2013, fees to be increased BRADES, Montserrat – As of January 3, 2013 the school bus service will be in the hands of a private company. The Cabinet made a decision on November 29, to turn the service over to the successful tenderer. The Cabinet also noted that fees will increase to $10 for Secondary School students and $5 for Primary School students per week and will go in to effect for the new academic year in September 2013. Previously passes were $70 per term or $5 per week. Contract arrangements are presently being finalised with the Attorney General’s Chambers while the Deputy Governor’s Office is also preparing to transfer all terminal benefits and staff to other government departments. This is one of several government services that has been earmarked for outsourcing in 2013 and is part of the Strategic Growth Plan to increase private sector growth. The Premier is also being disingenuous when he intimates that outsourcing of school bus services occurred solely because it was a condition of aid funding since he announced in his 1992 budget speech (paragraph 19.20) that: “Moreover, it is government’s intention to privatize a number of its operations where it appears prudent to do so. To begin with, we are considering the privatization of the school bussing service and garbage collection.” Garbage collection was outsourced during his first administration and school bussing under his second. Interestingly, both services have been omitted from recent Budget estimates in the past requiring subsequent supplementary appropriations. What special qualities does Reuben T Meade possess that possibly outweigh his critical flaws? Some people think it’s in poor taste to reveal unflattering truths about prominent people—particularly those in high office. Others will think that they are irrelevant distractions to be ignored. But can we claim to support good governance, transparency and accountability when we tolerate the opposite? Really, can it be in Montserrat’s best interests to select as leader of government business an individual who (to borrow some words): Lies habitually and thinks it is part of his job description to abuse his political colleagues (self-admittedly) and anyone else who dares to disagree with him? Boycotts all media outside his control, including The Montserrat Reporter, (which he seems intent on destroying) thereby making nonsense of MCAP’s claim as being “committed to open government and the participation of the peoples of Montserrat in whose name we govern and to whom we report.” He fails to realize that thousands of Montserratians and other readers prefer to receive their news from independent sources as well as the constructive role that credible media can play in the country’s development by informing and educating the public. Views others as prey to treat like dirt or tear down in order to prop up his delusions of superiority, in other words, is a moral cannibal? Seeks to glorify himself by degrading you, gain respect by denying any to you, make himself important by treating you like dirt, and improve his reputation by ruining yours? Thinks that all the regard, respect, love, attention, worth, and appreciation he robbed you of now belong to him? Look forward to hearing your answer.
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Biggest Blunder
Plan B - Premier’s immediate choice proceed to implement cont’d. from page 1 to show that all the promises from visits to Dubai and elsewhere, of Shieks unknown, his insults of the UK Government, ignoring their invitations; no word on his plan to convince Allan Duncan to use funds (as he does on his own so often; see Aide Memore/s) for the port development in Little Bay to finance the poorly economically viable port at Carrs Bay. Dubai Ports played with him and was kind not to say no outright, of course we do not know what they actually said, sending him back to provide information they already have. In the real political world, the Premier would not wait for the election to resign him, he would do it himself. Anyone listening to him saying it doesn’t matter to him if he is not reelected should see that as the great-
Plan A modified - pre 2011 plan - exiled from view immediately
Group B creating Plan B - Premier’in the shadows at right
est insult! He has said that over and over. Analysts know that is really insulting, arrogant and suicidal. His colleagues who follow him blindly often without knowing the real truty, regardless of how he insults them and the people, are the ones who should know
that best. They are just as suicidal,not representing the people. Of course they ask who are my constituents? A shameful question. But after they discovered he continually keeps or takes forever to discuss important issues with them, and in instances the people, they should have walked away when he re-
JUS WONDERIN
Jus wonderin column is compiled from contributions by readers and from de community. Please send by email or letter, or by calling. Jus wonderin about the desperation of ge demself a chance to feel wha it like to the MCAP Premier accusing everyone else be free to work honestly and fu de good o for doing and inciting violence and the rest. de people dem serve. Jus wonderin since when de Premier Jus wonderin de Premier no talk to de know all these things about God when God premier informed interviewer in a Montjus about fu rid the people o he. serrat Jus wonderin if he suddenly fine God Jus wonderin if now de Premier a talk an if de preacher dem no tell him dat God to de people and if people know what he is merciful and Jus. tell the people in a England about the poor Jus wonderin wha he me a do in a Ro- and the vulnerable. meo residence vicinity fu see people who Jus wonderin who dem be dat MCAP he call hooded criminals. a promise NOW to look after dem after Jus wonderin if he me really see any- elections, dat dem can’t wuk for oldtimers. body himself or he jus a cover fu he agents Jus wonderin if dem me dead the last who he gat a watch fu see all who a support nearly five years to be taking the insult now. Romeo. Jus wonderin bout dem poor elderly Jus wonderin if dem public servunts a and vulnerable people who no see premier
fused to ‘change’ his ways. Now they are compounding their lack of belly, while listening to their recruits all openly campaigning against them and vying to replace them all. We remember, this all began in 2011. The blunder was exasperated when DFID called the premier’s fantasy plans for Little Bay and port, ambitious, as he went about leaving it to Dr. Kimbugwe, who worked hard, doing the government of Montserrat’s work, to remind constantly that the Sustainable Growth Plan (SGP) was just NOT ALL about Little Bay and the port. It was about the whole island and putting the island on a growth path, using DFID’s money for the benefit of all. A comparison of Montserrat’s Aide Memoire and that of St. Helena would demonstrate the ignorance and all that is wrong with Montserrat and the one perfu donkey years and now a elecshun time he a tek dem fu ride in the exclusion zone.
ing to be elected. In fact it was his closeness to Bertrand Osborne, Meade himself, attachment to the Southern Constituency and his mother and wife’s discouragement then that caused his hesitancy and ultimate refusal. That Meade was elected at every election since that first time 1991, even after in many ways he can be described as the best of the rejects particularly after the nine X system, gives rise to the belief that he will finally and ought to be rejected at the impending elections. That the suspicions of him in 1991 were overlooked primarily because of the circumstances at the time continued to be manifested need are now being highlighted, explored or explained. son who thinks he is Mont- Note how he was described serrat. Can we understand and rejected by the now why HMG is annoyed to deceased John Osborne in being fed-up with Montser- 1991. Note that the same rat? Do you remember how John Osborne out of love Allan Duncan, when he for his son David, saved and told us, “look what we are catapulted Reuben in 2009, doing in St. Helena…and only for less than a year later all you have to do is show to confide to me his deepest justification and the value of regret. Who will know, the your plans. The truth is that same John Osborne asked Duncan gave the premier Meade to delay the passage as long a rope, probably of the Constitution. to show Montserrat knows Very early after being what it is about, their policy elected in 1991 he abansince 1999. They allow us to doned his executive that dig our own graves. DFID helped propel him to ‘power’ knows exactly how much and from then NPP deteriothey can afford, which at rated to him being the only the end is Montserrat’s loss. one (for NPP) elected in Time to end it. 1996 after all along Charles When the people of Kirnon did very poorly at Montserrat opted to elect the polls. David Brandt had R T Meade Chief Minis- resigned from his party, ter in 1991, it was giving Lazelle Howes left him and him a chance to change the Charles. Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, suspicions of most. Few of having left him, was elected the persons voting today under the NDP banner. His would know that Meade was win the Central constituency eventually chosen to lead very narrowly, a minority the NPP only after failure winner. to recruit someone who to So what’s new, it’s time this day for nearly half a for a final rejection of what decade is still being wooed he stands for. to become involved in seek-