October 23 2015 - The Montserrat Reporter

VOLCANO LIMERICKS

Friday, October 23, 2015

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Today’s Scripture

Vulcanese for ‘Wolf!’

Incoming Heads have been warned their hotel is Unsafe, by one of our most Nervous Nellies.

Should a new mudflow’s sweep Run 100 feet deep,

Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

- Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

MDC in www.themontserratreporter.com

Perhaps Carlisle’s could fit them with Wellies.

Vol. XXX No. 33

Week Ending Friday, October 23, 2015

Price $3.00

Labour Court

Former MDC Directors with wrongful dismissal complaint Former directors of Trade and Investment Ayiesha de Coteau-Sammy and Tourism Director Anita Nightingale have challenged their ‘termination’ from the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) as we have suspected might be the case earlier.

According to the release issued when it was finally decided to shut down the MDC the Premier announced that, “this Government is committed to taking care of the staff…”

The MDC was supposed to have wound up “within six to eight week” from April 2, 2015, taking that to the end of May. Up to one month ago there was confusion among top officials whether the corporation had been wound up, but while staff still occupying its quarters answer the telephone, “MDC” it is said that it no longer exists.

In the release from Premier Romeo, MDC being owned by Government, the Premier stated, “The Government has therefore decided to close the MDC. The decision to

close has implications for those who work in MDC, and this Government is committed to taking care of the staff, as far as possible.

“This means that all staff will have to be retrenched but will be paid gratuity in accordance with the terms of their contracts. In the interim,

More

Anita Nightingale

Headlines...

essential ongoing programmes will be maintained within the Government of Montserrat.”

Other than two senior officers in the Infrastructure division, the two directors who since took action as above, and one other junior staff all nonnationals received termination letters signed by Attorneyat-law David Brandt w h i c h said: “…

The Chief Executive Officer has decided to determine your contract with effect from t h e 3 0 th April 2015 in accord a n c e with the a b o v e clause…”

That Clause said - “… after consultation with the Board of

Directors, the Chief Executive Officer may at any time determine the engagement of the person engaged on giving her one month’s notice in writing or paying her one month’s notice in lieu of service…”

However, with the exception of the Infrastructure Director Sean McLaughlin who had previously taken issue with the MDC and DFID, all other staff as mentioned received continued or new employment in Government offices and even remained on site at the MDC’s offices. According to reports had long before had claimed for ‘Constructive Dismissal’.

Just over a month ago there was confusion as to whether the MDC had in fact been wound up but it is apparent that no activi-

ties are being conducted under the auspices of the corporation.

The two directors took issue with their termination as they claimed that their dismissal was not done in accordance with Ayiesha de Coteau-Sammy

the islands Labour Code and did not meet the minimum requirements of the Code, which required the termination letter to in-

clude such things as the reason for the termination (dismissal, firing. determination etc.).

The two former directors of the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) were on island this week appearing before a labour tribunal with their legal representation in relation to their dismissal from the company.

According to the Labour Code where an employee files a complaint of unfair dismissal, section 67 requires: “Where an employee claims to be unfairly dismissed, the employer has to prove that it was reasonable for him to dismiss the employee and that the procedures set out in the Code were duly observed.”

Attorney David Brandt was faced with what apcont’d. on page 5

Former home of MDC located in left top floor

Festival of the Word coming soon...pg 2

Governor’s Community Morning...pg 7

62 persons to get housing assistance...pg 3

Stepmother charged with murder...pg 8

Leaky Tyre Economy?...pg 5

JetBlue/Seaborne codeshare...pg 10

Page 2

Friday, October 23, 2015

Montserrat’s Festival of the Word coming soon Tony Eprile, a South

By Cathy Buffonge SALEM, Montserrat – A most exciting Literary Festival African writer who explores will be held in Montserrat during November. This annual the impact of racial tensions event is spearheaded by the Open Campus of the University on everyday life, will present of the West Indies under the inspired leadership of Gracelyn his book “Memory loss and tourist attractions”; while Cassell, head of the Open Campus in Montserrat.

Named “Alliouagana Festival of the Word” after the Keith Taylor (husband of historic Amerindian name for Montserrat, the Festival Baroness Floella) will speak runs from Thursday 12th November to Sunday 15th. This on “a career in film and teleyear’s theme, “Volcanic Dust: Journeys and Connections”, vision”.

A popular informal commemorates the twentieth anniversary of Montserrat’s volcanic activity. Special Patron of this year’s Festival is event is the prize giving for the MVO creative writBaroness Floella Benjamin (see box below) The Festival starts as Special Patron of this year’s Festival is Baroness usual on the Thursday eveFloella Benjamin. This lady is truly a Caribbean icon. Origining with a lecture in the nally from Trinidad but living in the UK since she was ten, Alphonsus “Arrow” Cassell she has undertaken a host of charitable and media projects memorial lecture series, this in the UK, making a real difference to the lives of children. year on the topic “Thinking She has been a stage and screen actress, TV presenter and beyond the ash: using our producer, written several children’s books and done a host volcanic resources”. The of charitable work benefi tting children. presenter will be Dr Aldrin She was made a Baroness by the Queen in 2010 and Sweeney, Associate Professits in the UK House of Lords.

She also has a BAFTA award sor at Ross University Mediamong many others. cal School in Dominica, who Her latest book “Coming to England” documents her is also a Board member for experiences as a West Indian child left behind in Trinidad, the Montserrat Community and later arriving to join her parents in the cold and unCollege. The lecture is exwelcoming 1960’s UK (an experience of many Caribbean pected to be stimulating and children at that time) -- and how she rose above it. A film thought provoking, and is based on this book will be shown at the end of the Festival usually well attended, sparkon the Sunday evening: not to be missed.. ing a lively discussion.

While here she will also meet and talk with school The official opening cerchildren and Community College students. If you listen to emony will be on the Friday “Under the Tamarind Tree” on Radio Montserrat, you may evening, and will include have heard her in a most inspiring interview with Profesthe introduction of authors sor Clarice Barnes, which was replayed a few months ago. and presenters, an African We are really privileged to have her with us for this year’s fashion show, launch of new Festival. publications and more. New You can read more on her website:- http://www.floelbooks to be launched are by labenjamin.com/Welcome.html Edgar Nkosi White and David Lea, while signed copies on “Emergence of a Volcano ing competition, with the of other books by local auliterature”, and Professor children (and adults this thors will also be available.

Clarice Barnes on Olaudah year) reading their winning Guest performer Trinidadian entries. There will also be the Equiano. calypsonian “Short Pants” Jeremy Pointing of ever-popular Book Lovers’ will perform, as well as Peepal Tree Press will talk Parade, where children wear giving a session on calypso on “Getting published”, as costumes depicting a charwriting later in the Festival. well as a speaking about acter from a favourite book.

During the Saturday and celebrated author Archie At a fund raising Sunday a host of activities Markham, whose work he luncheon on the Sunday, will take place, with prehas published. Montserra- among other events there sentations by several distintian author Andrew Skerritt will be a video and music guished Montserrat writers will present his book “Writ- montage”Volcano Review” and thinkers: Anne Marie ing and returning: thawing created by Randall “Randy” Dewar on writing dialect freeze dried memory”.

Greenaway, who always poetry, Sir Howard Fergus LEGAL NOTICE IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE PROBATE DIVISION In the Estate of WALTER WADE, deceased NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice, an application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of WALTER WADE who died on the 22nd day of May, 1971 be granted to ESTHA WADE his daughter and one of the persons entitled to share in the estate of the deceased.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested in the estate are requested to send written particulars thereof to the undersigned within 14 days from the date of this Notice.

does inspiring and innovative work. The Festival ends with the film version of “Coming to England” based on the book by Floella Benjamin (see box). All are encouraged to see this film.

Throughout the Festival the foyer and patio at the Cultural Centre will feature stalls selling books, food and drink, providing a pleasant ambience in this area as

people meet and mingle in between the sessions. There will also be the bouncy castle for the children.

A special and new event included in the Festival will be “Word Up”, a showcase event with spoken word, lyrics, poetry, freestyle artists and readings. While the main Festival events will be held at the Cultural Centre, “Word Up” will take place

at the “Lyme” in Brades – something new to look forward to which is sure to be interesting and stimulating.

The Festival promises to be exciting, with something for everyone. All are encouraged to come and experience this very special event. For further information please go to www.litfest.ms or email the Open Campus at montserrat@open.uwi.edu

ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A.D. 2015 [PROBATE] In the Estate of SAMUEL EMANUEL LYNCH, 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 my late brother, SAMUEL EMANUEL LYNCH formerly of St. Georges Hill, Montserrat who died on the 7th of August 2015 in London, England be granted to OSLYN GREENAWAY, Woodlands, Montserrat, sister 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.

ANY person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court not later than 14 days from the date of this Notice.

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 the 14th day of October, 2014

Dated this 23rd day of October, 2015

BRANDT & ASSOCIATES Attorneys-at-Law

OSLYN GREENAWAY Applicant

Friday, October 23, 2015

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62 applicants to receive Housing Investment Grants

in the amount of EC$40,000, to assist qualified households in constructing a decent permanent home. It will target persons who based on their financial ability can acquire mortgage financing. The disbursement of these funds will be paid directly to the Financial Institution from which the mortgage will be secured.

2. Materials Grant Assistance – to assist persons to benefit from materials grant assistance not exceeding EC$40,000, coupled with mortgage finance or their own financial/human resource to construct their own private dwelling houses. The materials grant assistance scheme has proven to be highly successful and popular. One of the strengths of the materials grant scheme is its effectiveness in providing Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Trade, Housing and private accommodation rapidly, with an average construction time of the Environment, Claude Hogan four (4) to six (6) months. Despite the challenges in the past, this has been one of the most successful housing schemes.

Discovermni.com 3. Home Finishing Grant – Since the onset of the volcanic activBRADES – The Housing Unit in the Government of Montserrat ity, many households have been struggling to acquire and/or complete has provisionally approved 62 applications for grants under the new permanent homes. Some households are burdened by financial comHousing Investment Programme.

Hon. Minister of Housing Claude Hogan confirmed that 102 applications were received but only 62 could be covered under the current scheme which has a budget of $2 million.

The vision behind the programme is the need to “retain a viable working population for socio-economic development and sustainability,” a statement from the Housing Unit revealed.

The need for more affordable housing on Montserrat continues to increase and the department said more than 500 households are awaiting a “permanent solution for an extended period (almost 20 years), due to the low supply.”

The Minister explained that the decline in the housing market output has impacted negatively on the economy. “Employment opportunities within the construction industry have been significantly reduced and in effect have negatively impeded economic activity which stems from this sector. The construction industry is vital to the island’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), hence the need to provide an economic stimulus to revive this very important sector,” he said.

Under the government’s Housing Investment Programme aimed at improving the number and standard of habitable dwellings on island, conditional grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000 covering approximately 62 eligible households have been approved. This would enable them to construct, complete or improve their dwelling houses.

The programme will be implemented and managed by the Montserrat Land Development Authority on behalf of the Government. It is anticipated that Housing Investment Programme would boost economic activity on island and create new jobs within the construction industry and impact positively on the island’s GDP. The four components of the Programme consist of: 1. Financial Assistance Grant – designed to promote the spread of homeownership. It involves the provision of a conditional grant

mitments, which include loan/mortgages repayment and/or exorbitant rent payments for private accommodation. To this end, Government would like to offer assistance to household that are unable to bring their homes to a completion stage with a grant of materials and/or labour not exceeding EC$25,000, to finish their dwelling house, that is under construction and near completion.

4. Home Improvement Grant – The Government recognizes that every citizen of Montserrat has the right to adequate housing.

Therefore, as part of the National Housing Strategy – Vision 2010, Government proposes to provide some assistance to vulnerable households to bring their dwelling up to a minimum decent standard for human habitation. The assistance makes provision for household to receive funds not exceeding EC$10,000, for the purpose of carrying out essential repair/refurbishment. This will allow them to have access to adequate housing which helps to promote health, well-being and security.

Ministers view new hospital sites Mintsters take first look at new hospital sites After year of back and forth over whether the new People’s Democratic Movement dumped all plans by former Reuben Meade (MCAP) government for a new hospital, and repeated explanations, the government has progressed to actually moving to find suitable sites for the construction of the hospital.

A release today from the Premiers office informs: “Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Donaldson Romeo, joined a site visit organized by the Ministry of Health, to look at a new site to house the hospital.

As was indicated by DFID in a previous press release, DFID is partnering with the Government of Montserrat to ensure that a collaborated sustainable plan is in place for Montserrat.

This plan includes a new hospital and the Government of Montserrat along with its partners, continue to work together to achieve this mission.

Currently, six (6) sites are being looked at for the new hospital project. Two (2) of the sites are located in the Drummonds area, one (1) in the Lookout area, another in the Brades area and the other

two (2) being explored are in the Little Bay area, the area designated for the new commercial town.

In the meantime, EC$900,000, will be used to repair the exisitong hospital roof, replace and repair windows, paint and enhance the general appearance of the hospital and purchase some key equipment, machines and beds.

Honourable Delmaude Ryan, Minister of Health, Ministers Lewis and Hogan were also present at the site visit, along with Rawl Patterson, Chief Engineer

for Public Works, Edward Estwick, Planning Officer, Terron Gilchrist, Director of Hospital Services Rocintha Christopher and Tracy Lewis, Environmentalist and Special Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture.”

The release is distributed

by Public Relations Officer Shauna Harley concludes: “Further consultations will take place in the upcoming weeks as plans continue to ensure construction of the new hospital takes place within the timeframe set out

by DFID and the Government of Montserrat.”

OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A.D. 2015

OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE A.D. 2015

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

In the Estate of JOSEPH DESMOND TAYLOR, deceased

In the Estate of KLAUS KRISTIAN KNAACK, deceased

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 of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of JOSEPH DESMOND TAYLOR late of 113 Pembury Road Tottenham London N17 8LY who died on the 18th of June 2015 at 113 Pembury Road Tottenham London N17 8LY be granted to KHARL MARKHAM of Allen Markham & Associates Banks Montserrat, the Lawful Attorney of MARGARET ROSANNA TAYLOR of 113 Pembury Road Tottenham London N17 8LY the Personal Representative of the Estate.

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 of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of KLAUS KRISTIAN KNAACK late of Bergisch Gladbach Germany who died on the 25th of September 2014 at Bergisch Gladbach Germany be granted to KHARL MARKHAM of Allen Markham & Associates Banks Montserrat, the Lawful Attorney of BӒRBEL KARIN ANGELA KNAACK of Graf-Adolf-Strasse 18c, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach Germany the Personal Representative of the Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

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 no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

DATED this 23rd day of October 2015

DATED this 23rd day of October 2015

Kharl Markham Allen Markham & Associates

Kharl Markham Allen Markham & Associates

Page 4

Friday, October 23, 2015

Letters/Opinion

EDITORIAL

There can’t be any seriousness about tourism A matter of serious concern is the matter of the development of an airport which will be compatible with any tourist development of Montserrat. The problem is that it seems like “pulling teeth”, the phrase nowadays may not be so relevant as that seems not to be so hard on human beings anymore.

But it is accepted that when access is discussed and anything connected, such as port it is very rarely in the plural ‘ports’ which means that the airport is excluded from the discussion.

What that tells, is that there is really very little understanding of the tourism industry - Who, where and what is targeted for the real benefits of the tourism in the short to long term.

In the early 2000s when there was still access to the conference centre at the Vue Pointe hotel, it was there at a Chamber of Commerce meeting, , (it may have Head of the Overseas Territories Department (OTD) Clive Warren or Brian Kavanaugh DFID head in Montserrat at the time), while applauding the day tour idea as it sporadically helped at least once sector of the private sector, he convincingly noted that the stay-over visitor/ tourist for just one night provided multiple economic benefits to the island.

In spite of this with the forced and regrettable construction of the Gerald’s (now John A Osborne airport) which we had said may well be nothing more than a ‘black elephant’ which is now almost, being no use to the air access problem, very few have seriously given any attention to the serious need for a ‘proper’ or perhaps a more appropriate word, ‘meaningful’ airport. CRM made a move not long ago, but with no government support, it had no traction.

Instead what has been pushed and that still seems to be going nowhere, is FERRY, always bad, even wrong in our view as it is limited. And does anyone notice? How long ago there is supposed to be a purpose built ferry? The problem there however is that the new Government is so new, but unprepared and slow as we have mentioned before, they have not picked up, or have absolutely no knowledge of what went on before them.

Following the decision by the Government in 2002 to accept the Geralds airport, under pressure from CRM and others who just never gave up on the position that an airport at Gerald’s was bad, OTD head Clive Warren said, “There is no question of going back to the drawing boards at this time because Montserrat’s economic development depends primarily on the construction of an airport as Britain cut its subsidies gradually from £24 million in 2001-2002, to £7.5 million by 2005-2006.” That never happened, but Chief Minister John Osborne had said then his government was forced to accept.

But three years in Februrary 2008 DFID acknowledged that it was one of two errors to build the airport at Gerald’s, and that HMG was prepared to do what was necessary to correct that one, especially that the ‘one step forward and backward’ was no longer on the cards.

Everyone thought that the stage was set, and probably more so when Dr. Lewis felt overwhelmed, to allow Montserrat to

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elect a government it believed would take it forward since he was unable to harness the support from his ‘devious’ (a word he used frequently) colleagues.

In April 2013 the word was busy that the Premier was going to look for investors to support his SGP quest, to include the airport. No one at that point knew he had already told HMG that his interest was mainly in the port, to the point where his colleague was laughed at in Whitehall when he brought up the idea (he was Minister of ports) that the airport was critical for our development.

TMR wrote in the Editorial – April 26, 2013, when the Premier reported on his return from Dubai, Brussells and the UK: “We were surprised to learn that there were no discussions in support of the need for a new airport in Montserrat, which most thought was an absolute necessity notwithstanding the sounds of the acquisition of a purpose built ferry. The Governor had made the statement that there was no plan on the horizon for either an extension of the present airport or the building of a new one.

And as a matter of fact the Premier has now confirmed that Montserrat’s future travel for a long time will be air service as it is, with a ferry which cannot guarantee regular travel between the Islands and Montserrat.”

All this time tourism was as good as dead, and the complaints that things in Montserrat bad. The Premier had reported that he had letters of intent for the construction of hotel etc. in Little Bay, so we wrote, “But, in case there are those who believed that such a plan would damper the planned up scaled tourism business, the Premier informed that the hotel developers would actually prefer that Montserrat was not that easily accessible as a means to keeping the uniqueness of Montserrat.

They would include helicopter services as a preferred option.

“They preferred Montserrat to be a unique destination where people would want to pay money to come to,” the Premier said.

Is it that this Government supports these failed ideas or they know nothing of all that had been going on other than only a select few was drawing on HMG support?

Our Scripture Verse Today Be Bold Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorif y your Father in heaven. - Matthew 5:16 (NIV) Fa l l i s a g o r g e o u s s e a s o n i n Te n n e s s e e . M a n y d a y s t h e temperature is just right. My lunch hour gives me a great opportunity to head outdoors and enjoy a respite from the office.

Many times I settle at a table on a broad plaza or retreat to a shady spot near bubbling fountains to enjoy my personal time. I often carry along a small Bible or devotional and take in not only physical nourishment but food for my spirit as well.

After a particularly challenging morning at work, I settled wearily

onto a sunny spot on a ledge, being careful to hide my Bible. I didn’t want passersby to think I was a religious fanatic. I began to feel my spirits lift as I let God’s peace and presence wash away my stress.

Then I noticed a young man across the way reading a big, thick book — the Bible. A few minutes later, a young woman sat down at another table and opened her Bible. They made no effort to hide what they were reading, as I had done. What a wonderful example they were for me to follow — to openly show others my commitment to growing in my faith.

Wilma Ver nich (Tennessee, USA)

Friday, October 23, 2015

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De Ole Dawg: The Economy Challenge - Part 3

How can we “fix” our Leaky Tyre Economy? that are more conducive to development, its objectives can be more ambitious . . . .

Good, impactful programming is flexible in pursuit of its goals . . . . We have been concerned to find that DFID is relatively weak at ensuring

portfolio coherence, in large part because its results management tools are focussed at the individual programme level . . .

For twenty years now Montserrat has been fighting for survival in the face of a

MDC tribunal

BRADES, Montserrat, Oct 7, 2015 – Last time, we saw how, for many years, Montserrat’s economy has acted like a car with a leaky tyre. Pump it up with some new money, and there is some growth. But as soon as the stimulus goes away, pfft, it goes flat again; often at a most inconvenient moment.

The challenge is to fix it while dealing with the prowling lions, and it was suggested that over the next year or so, we need to: • identify and carry out agreed “safe hands” good governance reforms • develop an agreed list of “parallel priority,” economytransforming “catalytic” investments (e.g., the sea port, geothermal energy, the new capital town, etc.)

• set up a 10 – 20

year time-line for these key projects (that’s how long it took last time – from the 1960’s – 80’s . . .)

• agree with DFID on a programmebased project cycle management framework to carry out and oversee the group of “catalytic” projects • put the agreements in black and white, through a development partnership MoU with DFID • establish joint GoM-DFID oversight, to keep things on track and on time But, why are we talking about complicated things like “programmes,” groups of “priority” “catalytic” projects and “project cycle management frameworks”?

Can’t we just keep everything nice and simple?

Einstein gives us a clue: everything should be as simple as possible, but not simpler than that.

And, the UK’s International Commission on Aid Impact (ICAI) – which in July 2013 issued a “pull up your socks” review on aid impact in Montserrat – tells us why we need to kick things up a notch or two, in its June 2015 Report on DFID’s approach to delivering impact: In difficult environments, DFID may need to set more modest objectives and plan its results over a 15 to 20 year period. Its country strategies should give more attention to longterm pathways out of fragility and how to get the right balance of risk and return across the portfolio.

Conversely, when DFID is working in environments

disaster that has cost us half our economy, a big slice of our infrastructure and twothirds of our population who were forced to seek refuge overseas. (No, contrary to the suggestion in the 2012 cont’d. on page 10

...cont’d. from page 1

pears an uphill battle when his letter of termination on behalf of the MDC did not state specifics as required by the Labour Code.

While the letter stated that the termination was according to the contract, the Labour Code states specific conditions to be adhered to by the company and if being liquidated etc. In instances the termination should be accompanied by a statement called ‘Certificate of employment’. That statement should not according to the Code – “Nothing adverse to the employee shall be expressed in any certificate given in compliance…”

The matter was adjourned to be continued in mid-November.

The tribunal consists of two of several members appointed by the Governor with the magistrate usually sitting as the chairman and who serves to guide the members as to the law.

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Friday, October 23, 2015

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Friday, October 23, 2015

Page g 7

Governor’s Community Morning gets off to an informative start Her Excellency Governor Carriere hosted the first1st session of the series Government House Community Morning putting on the inaugural discussion focused on the – three

branches of government . The Legislature, the Executive a n d t h e J u d i c i a r y.

This is an initiative of the Department of the Legislature in collaboration cont’d. on page 12

Audience

Governor and staff

Jermaine Wade Judith Baker

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is inviting suitably qualified Nationals from its Member States, to fill the following positions: 1. Head Economic Development Policy Unit (closes 19th November, 2015) Applicants can obtain further details from www. oecs.org or URL address: http://www.oecs.org/ about-the-oecs/who-we-are/job-opportunities.

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Friday, October 23, 2015

ECCB joins international bodies in marking World Statistics Day The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank joined several international bodies in celebrating World Statistics Day on 20 October under the theme: “Better Data. Better Lives”.

The observance as adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission is aimed at recognising the vital role of statistics in improving the daily lives of the peoples of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union region and in raising the profile of statistics and statisticians across the region.

World Statistics Day 2015 was expected to be

celebrated globally with local events organised by national statistical offices, statistical organisations, United Nations organisations and universities. In support of the celebration of World Statistics Day, the ECCB has planned a number of activities which include the launch of a statistical booklet containing key Economic Indicators of the ECCU and the

member states; and a newsletter from the ECCB Statistics Department.

The ECCB remains fully committed to the further development of statistics in the ECCU and the strengthening of intra-regional statistical systems to produce and disseminate timely, high quality and harmonised statistics, particularly in the field of Balance of

Payments, National Accounts, Monetary and Financial Statistics and Debt Management, which are key areas of the work programme of the ECCB Statistics Department.

This year, the second observance of the World Statistics Day, marks an important cornerstone for official statistics with several initiatives including: the conclusion of the

Millennium Development Goals; the beginning of the post – 2015 Development Agenda; the ongoing data revolution; and preparations for the 2020 World Population and Housing Census Programme.

The first World Statistics Day was commemorated on 20 October 2010 in over 130 countries and areas.

Step-mother charged with murder following death of toddler

Milan Ferdinand (file Photo)

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC – Police have charged a 24-year-old woman with murder following the death of four year-old Milan Ferdinand who died earlier this month as a result of severe brain damage and head injury due to blunt force trauma.

Police said that Kersharma William Ferdinand of the fishing village of Grand Ravine, Dennery, east of here, also faces a charge of ill treatment and that her 24-year-old husband, Marlon Ferdinand, the child’s father, had been charged for the offences of ill treatment, neglect and exposed/abandonment.

A post mortem had found that the child, who passed away at the Victoria Hospital on October 9, had died as a result of severe brain damage and head injury due to blunt force trauma and that there were multiple blunt force traumas all over the

Director of Prison on assault charges GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The Director of Prisons, Welton Trotz, will re-appear in court on October 27 after he was granted GUY$100,000 (One Guyana dollar =US$0.008 cents) bail Thursday on a charge of sexually assaulting a female prison officer.

Trotz, a former Assistant Police Commissioner, pleaded not guilty when he appeared before City Magistrate, Fabayo Azore. He has since announced his resignation from the top security post.

Details of the allegation against Trotz were not made

public as the case is being heard in camera in keeping with the Sexual Offences Act. But the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had recommended that Trotz be charged with the offence that allegedly was committed in January this year.

A Board of Inquiry, chaired by the former Director of Prisons Cecil Kilkenny, who has since died, had recommended that disciplinary action be taken against Trotz, who earlier this month was the recipient of the Disciplined Services Medal from President David Granger.

body.

The child’s mother, who had asked not to be identified, had earlier asked police to investigate the matter after she said that the father had indicated that Milan did not fall and his step mother saying he had fallen.

“I really want to know what happened to my son,” she said.

Friday, October 23, 2015

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Antigua and Barbuda student tops CSEC Awards for the first time For the first time, a student from a school in Antigua and Barbuda has won the Regional Top Award for the Most Outstanding Candidate Overall in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC).

Brandon Judnarine of St Joseph Academy copped the award with a record 21 Grade Is and one Grade II. Brandon achieved Grade I in Additional Mathematics, Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, Economics, English A, English B, French, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Technical Drawing, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Physical Education and Sport, Human and Social Biology, and Building Technology.

Four students from Guyana are also among this year’s awardees; two from perennial winners Queen’s College and one each from Anna Regina Secondary and Saraswati Vidya Niketan School.

Shannon Woodroffe of Queen’s College takes the award for most outstanding performance in Sciences with Grade I in 14 subjects: Additional Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Biology, Chemistry, English A, English B, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, French, Geography, Human and

Social Biology, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics and Physics.

Joshanna Hopkinson also of Queen’s College is the Humanities award winner with 18 Grade I’s in Additional Mathematics, Caribbean History, Economics, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, English A, English B, French, Geography, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Religious Education, Social Studies, and Spanish.

Aliyah Rasheed of regular winners Anna Regina Secondary cops the Technical Vocation award with Grade I in 20 subjects: Agricultural Science (DA), Biology, Chemistry, English A, English B, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, Electrical and Electronic Technology, Food and Nutrition, Home Economics Management, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Business, Social Studies, Spanish, Technical Drawing, and Physical Education and Sport.

Another student with 20 subjects, Victorial Najab of Saraswati Vidya Niketan School takes the award for Most Outstanding performance in Business subjects. Victoria achieved Grade I in Additional Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Biology, Caribbean History, Chemistry, Economics, Electronic Document Preparation and Management, English A, English B, Geography, Human and Social Biology, Information Technology, Integrated Science, Mathematics, Office Administration, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Social Studies and Spanish.

MONTSERRAT THE REGISTERED LAND ACT (CAP. 8.01) REGISTRATION SECTION

BLOCK

PARCEL

ST. JOHN’S

14/19

177

NOTICE OF APPLICATION FOR PRESCRIPTIVE TITLE TAKE NOTICE that an Application was filed on the 30th day of September, 32015 by Marcelle E.M. Watts, Attorney-at-Law, Chambers, P. O. Box 87, Brades, MSR1110, Montserrat, on behalf of Ansen Augustus Tuitt, the Applicant herein for a Prescriptive Title for the above-mentioned parcel of land more particularly described in the Schedule hereto presently registered as (Restricted land to allow possible absentee owner(s) to be established), by virtue of section 135 of the Registered Land Act, (Cap. 8.01).

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 the newspaper lodge an objection setting out the grounds of your objection.

TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that if you fail to make any objection to the said application, the Registrar of Lands may proceed to grant the application for Prescriptive Title without further notice.

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

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land registered as Block 14/19 Parcel 177 in the St. John’s Registration Section in Montserrat and butted and bounded as follows: On the North by Block 14/19 Parcel 21 registered to George Tuitt; On the South by the Public Road; On the West by Block 14/19 Parcel 176 registered to Joycelyn Lindsey; and On the East by the Public Road.

Dated the 20th day of October 2015

Visual Arts 3-D winner As was the case in 2014, the two Visual Arts awards are taken by students from Trinidad and Tobago. This time they are both from Bishop Anstey High School. Saegel Bascombe is the winner of the Two-Dimensional award and her classmate Angel Neptune takes the Three-Dimensional award. Saegel’s piece is entitled “Drought” and Angel’s work is called “Fish.”

Visual Arts 2-D winner Shauntelle Edwards of Glenmuir High School, Jamaica is the winner of the Best Short Story award.

In order to be eligible for the Award for Overall Outstanding Achievement, a candidate must attain Grade I, at General or Technical Proficiency, in at least eight subjects taken at a single sitting. These subjects must include English A, Mathematics or Additional Mathematics and subjects from three other groupings.

The CSEC awardees will be presented with their prizes at a ceremony slated for Thursday 3 December at the Best Western Hotel in Belize City.

Among the prizes they will receive is an offer of a scholarship from The University of the West Indies, a monetary prize and plaque from CXC and other gifts from sponsors.

The principal of St Joseph Academy will receive the CSEC School of the Year Award on behalf of the school.

ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT A.D. 2015 [PROBATE DIVISION] LEGAL NOTICE In the Estate of ANOLDA D. FENTON, deceased

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice, an application will be filed at the Registry, High Court of Justice for an Order for Letters of Administration of ANOLDA D. FENTON late of Brades, Montserrat who died on the 2nd day of March 2012 be granted to Dwight B. Fenton of 51 Dunholme Rd, Leicester, England LE49BW, the child of the deceased and the person entitled to the Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be beneficially interested in the Estate are requested to send written particulars thereof to me, the undersigned within 14 days from the date of this notice.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant of letters of Administration to the said applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice whose address is Office of the Registrar, Brades, Montserrat not later than fourteen (14) days from the publication of this notice.

DATED this 22nd day of October 2015

Sgd. Lovetta A. Silcott REGISTRAR OF LANDS, (AG.)

Laurine A. Fenton

Page 10

Friday, October 23, 2015

Government acquires lands hous- JetBlue and Seaborne Airlines ing major hotel, but says no plans launch codeshare agreement throughout Caribbean to nationalize private property

Prime Minister Gaston Browne speaking in Parliament Antigua, CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda parliament has given the nod to a government move to acquire the land on which the Halcyon Cove by Rex Resorts occupies after indicating that the owners did not fulfill a promise to upgrade the property.

But Prime Minister Gaston Browne sought to give the assurance that his administration was not moving to “nationalize people’s private property” as his administration moves to transform “Antigua and Barbuda into an economic powerhouse”.

Prime Minister Browne, who tabled the resolution, said that the owners have been struggling to meet lease payments and other statutory responsibilities in addition to an over abundance of guests voicing their displeasure with the current state of the property.

The resolution grants the Secretary to the Cabinet authorization to issue a declaration to effect that 12 acres of land on which the property sits be acquired for public purpose.

Browne told legislators that the property has created a problem for the image of the country’s

tourism product and the owners have not fulfilled a promise to the former administration to undertake an upgrade of the property.

Browne said that while there is a high demand for Antigua and Barbuda’s

tourism product, the country does not have the viable rooms to meet the demand.

He said two of the island’s bigger hotels continue to struggle and that the situation demands attention and tourism experts and owners of other properties have been clamoring for an intervention by government.

“My Government is a responsible government and will not seek to acquire anyone’s property interest without justification. In this case, what is at stake is our tourism product. What we are trying here is to be proactive and to bring a number of rooms that are not in circulation back into economic circulation so that we can grow the country’s economy and put our people back to work,” Prime Minister Browne said.

“We are not seeking to acquire the property willy nilly.

We have had discussions with a number of interested parties to turn the property into a five-star facility. Before acquisition, we will ensure that we have the resources to cover any liability and compensate persons on a timely basis. Acquiring the lease to this property is in the public’s interest,” he added.

Prime Minister Browne said that the owners of Sandals and Couples hotels have already approached government to build a new 300 room resort on the Halcyon Cove property and this will create over 600 jobs on an operational basis.

Browne said that the government is also likely to acquire the Valley Church property which encompasses 10 acres of beach land, which is currently in the possession of Bap Project officials.

“They did not put one dollar into acquiring that property from the former government. Now they are seeking to flip that property.

I want to put everyone on notice, that anytime the principals of BAP sell that property to anyone, no permission will be given to build anything on that land.

“This is a message to the world. They have forfeited the title to that property on the basis that they have not performed.

No one can build anything there.

No approval shall be given to any entity to build anything on that property,” Prime Minister Browne told Parliament.

He said that the government proposed to construct the proposed Simon Bolivar Resort, in collaboration with Venezuela, on that property.

“We are not seeking to nationalize people’s private property.

There are likely to be other acquisitions. We cannot have properties like Royal Antiguan with about 300 rooms sitting idle. If we do not get an undertaking from the owners that he would upgrade and place the property into economic

JetBlue and Seaborne will enjoy the benefit of traveling on a single ticket which allows for one-stop check-in, baggage transfer to the final destination, and conveniently timed connections in San Juan.

“This latest codeshare agreement combines Seaborne Airlines’ experience serving exciting Caribbean destinations with JetBlue’s established footing as an award-winning carrier to the region,” said Scott Laurence, senior vice president, airline planning at JetBlue.

Initially, JetBlue will place its ‘B6’ designator code on eight Seaborne

...cont’d. from page 5

Airlines routes allowing JetBlue customers to reach more destinations in the Caribbean on a single itinerary: Anguilla; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Dominica; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Maarten; and St. Thomas and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Once it receives all necessary government approvals, JetBlue will place the ‘B6’ designator code on the remainder of the Seaborne Airlines network to include: Antigua; Fortde-France, Martinique; La Romana, Dominican Republic; Point-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe; and Punta Cana and Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

“The entire Seaborne Airlines team is excited to begin our codeshare relationship with JetBlue,” said Gary Foss, President and CEO of Seaborne Airlines. “I’m confident that our customers, Caribbean residents, and tourism to our region will all benefit as a result of this agreement.”

The routes add to JetBlue’s already extensive list of destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America including Grenada, Curacao, Antigua and Mexico City, which were all added to the JetBlue route map in the past year. Additionally, flights to Quito, Ecuador begin in February 2016.

tion, there should be a further evaluation that draws lessons to be learned and makes recommendations for onward action of the programme.

As well, once an agreed 15 – 20 year strategic timeline for our programme of action is put in place, the “burden of proof” will shift drastically. Instead of, • why should we go ahead with spending so much of our scarce money on Project X, • the key question now becomes, • why do you want to delay or cripple the

Montserrat development programme by road-blocking or ruthlessly cutting X, one of the Economy-transforming “catalytic” projects?

That’s a huge difference, and a difference that – given delay after delay and cut-down after cut-down for twenty years – is well worth fighting for.

Again, we have the St Helena £ 250 million airport project as a yardstick, we have means and opportunity.

So, if not now, then when – and why?

JetBlue and Seaborne Airlines launch codeshare agreement throughout Caribbean NEW YORK, United States, – JetBlue and Seaborne Airlines today began selling flights under a codeshare agreement that will offer customers increased travel options and new destinations throughout the Caribbean.

Connections will be made via San Juan’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport (SJU), where JetBlue is the largest carrier.

Customers flying on

circulation, I guarantee that we would acquire that property,” said Prime Minister Browne.

“We are about transforming Antigua and Barbuda into an economic powerhouse and we cannot do this with thirty-percent of our hotel rooms shut. We must take the necessary steps and make

hard decisions to bring them back into circulation.

“We will ensure however, that severance payments and any liability arising from acquisition are taken care of with funds that the new owners would be required to put in an escrow account,” said Prime Minister Browne.

Leaky Tyre Economy FCO MoU para. 2.1, those who left were not economic migrants seeking “greener pastures.”)

Montserrat is a definite case of a difficult aid/development environment, but one with strong potential for development. As ICAI suggests, we need a 15 – 20 year strategic programme of action that brings together a group of agreed “catalytic” projects to transform a fragile “leaky tyre” economy, to address “safe hands” good governance issues and to begin to resolve the many social, cultural and welfare challenges imposed by

twenty years of disaster.

Pivotal to doing this successfully is the creation of an agreed programme-based project cycle management (PbPCM) framework, similar to what the European Union uses: The idea here, is comparable to how a hand works.

One finger alone cannot do a lot, but group them in a team as part of a hand and we can hold a pencil, a hammer, a nail, and more to get the house built. Just so, a PbPCM framework can set up the right cluster of projects working together on the right timeline to deliver the

desired future Montserrat needs. (If you want to see a regional example, google “GEPROP, Cuba.” And yes, that’s 250 priority projects in Cuba.)

With the organisational framework in hand, we can • identify and develop the right set of “parallel priority” “catalytic” projects, • formulate them in an agreed standard format that answers the key questions, • carry out fair and balanced appraisals, and

•

make sound decisions on time-line and funding.

Then – instead of “going back to the drawing board” over and over again – we can move on to implementing, monitoring and control to keep things on track, on time. We will also need a joint GoM-DFID oversight commission that involves the private sector and civil society, with designated expediters specifically accountable to keep things moving to time. And there should by ongoing evaluation and audit processes. Also, as each project comes to its comple-

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Page g 11

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Friday, October 23, 2015

www.themontserratreporter.com

Governor’s Community initiative cont’d. from page 7

Speaker Shirley Osborne

with the Governor ’s O ff i c e w i t h t h e c h i e f architect of the program being the Hon. Speaker Miss Shirley Osborne.

Speakers were the Hon. Attorney General, Lawyer Kenroy Hyman of the D P P ’s o ff i c e , C o m p troller of Revenue Peter B White, Clerk of Councils, Mrs. Judith Baker and former youth parliament Chief Minister and for legislator Germaine Wa d e .

Kenroy Hyman, lawyer Hon Keith Friday

MSS students in attendance