Friday, February 22, 2013
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www.themontserratreporter.com
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:4 (NIV)
ICAI, DFID aid impact review on Montserrat Vol. XXVIII No. 05
by Bennette Roach
A two-member team from the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI)is scheduled to visit
Montserrat to review the aid that the Department for International Development (DFID) provides to Montserrat. The ICAI
Week Ending Friday, February 22, 2013
teamDavid Sharif and David Parish will arrive on island on February 25 with a departure date of March 4, 2013.
The investigating team says their review of the DFID aid to Montserrat, will look, “particularly around some of the recent
Price $2.00
and on-going capital projects.” The team informs that in carrying out the mission, “We focus on maximising
the effectiveness of the UK aid budget for intended beneficiaries and on delivering value for money for
cont’d. on page 2
Geothermal drilling starts with high hopes
The drill rig is ready to go
of finding the energy in Zone C by Bennette Roach The Montserrat Reporter mobilised having received extra ordinarily late advice that the geothermal exploratory drilling site would be officially opened with prayers and blessing of the site on Tuesday morning this week. Upon arrival at the site (the first of the two wells out of Plymouth) located at what was called the Lime field at the foot
of Weekes along Cork Hill main road, we heard the Hon Charles Kirnon giving the final words of his speech as he called on Godto continue to bless the project. Kirnon was finishing, “….eve of geothermal drilling. For years we have worried about geothermal energy and much have been said and much have been done, but finally we have
More
cont’d. on page 12
Headlines...
Complaints Commission set...pg 2
Education news briefs...pg 3 Keep your eyes on Little Bay...pg 5
ECCI students video conferencing...pg 6 Kids Korner...pg 8 RBC Financial Statements...pgs 10 & 11
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Friday, February 22, 2013
C o mp l a int s C o m m i ssi o n setu p , all long o v e r d u e , o t h e r s b y M arch 31 A press release from the Governor’s office has informed that the Complaints Commission held its first meeting on February
6 and 7, 2013. According These Commissions to the release, the meeting are: the Mercy, the Electordiscussed the legislation, al, the Complaints, and the which will govern the oper- Integrity Commissions. ations of the Commission. Governor Davis at his
cont’d. from page 1 UK taxpayers. We carry out independent reviews of aid programmes and of issues affecting the delivery of UK aid.” The ICAI then publishes transparent, impartial and objective reports to provide evidence and clear recommendations to support UK Government decisionmaking and to strengthen the accountability of the aid programme. They will look at the overall UK aid program focusing primarily on six DFID recently funded projects which include the airport, water supply, Look out School, Road rehabilitation, Geothermal and the upgrade of the electricity power station.However, there are numerous other and smaller projects that will come under scrutiny, some of which may be noted by the stakeholders and individuals who may or not have been impacted. A huge number of projects fall within such headings and in particular, Finance: Fiscal Policy & Economic, Agriculture
Projects; Agriculture Projects, to include:Shelter Construction; Construc. of Agriculture Feeder Roads; Technical Assistance for Housing; Public Market Extension; National Environment Management Strategy;Physical Development Plan Update; Housing Incentives Scheme; and many more. Communication and Works Projects, to include Little Bay Infra.Phase I, Emergency Road Repair & Hope Bypass, Water Development - Phase III Geothermal Exploration, Access Transport Coordinator Montserrat, Road Refurbishment- Salem to St Johns, and many more. Meanwhile with the news circulating of what observers believe is an investigation into how UK aid moneys have been spent on Montserrat, Premier Reuben Meade has been commenting on the teams purpose and gives his view point in a ZJB interview. “…they are simply saying let us take a look at the management of our little
DFID Review
projects in Montserrat.” He sees the mission as the UK seeking to find out: ‘are we getting value for money, are they being corrupt in Montserrat, are the tenders operating the way they should be operating?’ The utterances by the Premier remind of DFID’s His Excellency, Governor Adrian Davis statements about providing aid but ensuring that they want to see “value for arrangements advising that During the visit they plan from the Chamber of Commoney”; as well as recent they wish to meet with a to speak with organisations, merce to discuss the impact concerns and complaints variety of stakeholders. individuals and senior staff of aid on Montserrat. about the tendering and procurement environment of his government. In the interview he said: “…and we have to be in a position to respond to all of these, so therefore we must be in a position to say to them, here are our books, here is the documentation we have nothing to hide.” Messrs.Sharifand Parish have made preliminary
REGISTERED LAND ACT (Section 135) A Claim to ownership of land has been received from the following person in the Schedule below:Any objection to this claim must be lodged in writing to the Land Registry, Brades, Montserrat within six (6) weeks of the first publication of this notice. Plans relating to the claim listed below may be inspected at the Land Registry Department during normal working hours. SCHEDULE Rosetta Weekes Claim #1175
Block 14/19 Parcel 025. Land in Dick Hill. Bounded as follows: On the North East, East and South-East by Block 14/19 Parcel 023 (Ann Joseph); on the South by Block 14/19 Parcel 024 (James Weekes); and on the West and North by the Public Road.
Dated this 31st day of January, 2013 Jamiel M. Greenaway Registrar of Lands
last press conference acknowledged that there are no good reasons why these four Commissions created in the Montserrat 2010 Constitution have not all been setup.“…the Complaints and Integrity commissions will be setup by the end of the financial year, but it’s taken too long and there isn’t any excuse,” he said. That was after he explained as follows: “The Mercy Commission has been setup, but hasnot had to consider any pleas cont’d. on page 4
A1 Road Project, Runaway Ghaut - ducts laying
CLICO INTERNATIONAL LIFE INSURANCE RUDOLPH A.E. DYETT having made sworn deposition that Policy No. B26679 on his life has been lost, and having made application to the Directors to grant a duplicate of the same, notice is hereby given that unless objection is raised within four (4) weeks of the date hereof the duplicate requested will be issued. Dated 20th February, 2013
SAGICOR LIFE INC VERNETTE BUFFONG having made sworn deposition that Policy No. S05070194 on her life has been lost, and having made application to the Directors to grant a duplicate of the same, notice is hereby given that unless objection is raised within two (2) weeks of the date hereof the duplicate policy asked for will be issued.
Friday, February 22, 2013
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Education news briefs Caribbean Educational research network Education news briefs Caribbean Educational research network to be launched this month Acting Permanent Secretary, and substantive Director of Education in the Ministry of Education Glenn Francis and principal of the Montserrat Community College, Paul Payne attended a two day meeting in Grenada, where they joined their counterparts from the OECS in Grenada earlier this month. Thy met to explore the possibility of setting up an OECS
to be launched this month
knowledge research and the education network. Upon their return Paul Payne spoke to ZJB radio and explained, that the whole idea is that within this network you can accept trade information, classes and share resources. “For example,” he said, “somebody can be teaching a class in Jamaica and a student in Montserrat can participate live, because we have the broadband/web to allow to facilitate that. In fact part of the meeting in Grenada allowed some
people to actually see a demonstration with a class being held at a community college and students on other islands can participate through live interact video.” He further said, “…you can then extend that to a class being taught right across the world, and students in Montserrat will be able to participate in that class,” noting that “you can also extend beyond education. It’s a research and education network, so you can also extend to E- government, Tele-
at the Montserrat Cultural Centre. Principal Paul Payne announced that a total of six debaters who left on Wednesday along with staff’s sponsor Dr. Samuel Joseph, and twenty four supporters would travel to Antigua for the competition which run from February 21 the 25. The six debaters are TiVonne Howe, Tiffannie Skerritt, Trichelle Spencer, Delbert Williams, Ruian Zhu
and Nicholas Munroe. Meanwhile the supporters traveled to Antigua on Thursday, February 21, along with staff sponsors Mrs. Hazel Riley and Miss Lonnie Howe. The debating society held a mock debate on Sunday at the Montserrat Cultural Centre at which time members of the audience give the debaters feedback on ways to fine tune their speeches. We n d c e a Ay m e r i s
Montserrat Students travel to Antigua for annual Leeward Islands Debate Competition
Montserrat Students travel to Antigua for annual Leeward Islands Debate Competition The Montserrat Community College debating society students are in Antigua this weekend where they compete in the 41st annual Leeward Islands Debate competition. As part of preparations for the competition the students put on a muck debate on Sunday, February 17
ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT A.D.2013 [PROBATE DIVISION] LEGAL NOTICE In the Estate of EDWARD MEADE, deceased NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of 14 days from the date of this notice, an application will be filed at the Registry, High Court of Justice for a Grant of Letters of Administration of the Estate of EDWARD MEADE deceased, late of 2080 First Avenue, Apt 3107, New York, NY, 10923 and formerly of St Patrick's, Montserrat who died on the 21st day of December 2012 be issued to MARY M. WILLIAMS of 39 Larkin Lane, Garnerville, NY, 10923, the sister of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to a share in the Estate. 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. 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 General, Brades, Montserrat not later than fourteen (14) days from the publication of this notice. Dated the 11th day of February 2013 Marcelle E.M. Watts Attorney at law for the Applicant
medicine, closed and limited to all of these research and education network.” Payne explained further that the function of a national research network is to support the development of communities of interest for
educational research, share extensive education resources, collaborate in developing the E- infrastructure…at a reduce cost. The principal revealed that the Caribbean network will be launched as a re-
gional institution later this monthin Trinidad on February 26 where in fact there will be a demonstration of the connectivity between that and other international research and education network across the globe.
Cooking gas shortage and petrol price reduction Cooking gas shortage and petrol price reduction Montserrat climbed out a cooking (propane) gas shortage that had gone on for over two weeks, due, according Manager Roselyn Cassell-Sealy, to a breakdown of the ship that transports the product. Anguilla and Nevis had assisted briefly before they also suffered the same fate. While keeping her ‘fingers crossed’, a tanker that was due to arrive over the past weekend did so. The manager confirmed that a regular shipment of the liquid propane gas (LPG) had arrived restoring the the public relations officer for the debating society bsaidased on the feedback from the audience, it is clear that the debaters need to input more statistics and more research in their speeches. She said, the mock debate
situation to some normalcy. She reported that all distributors received their share of cooking gas, advising that the company Delta Petroleum does not anticipate another shortage except something out of the ordinary occurs. Mrs. Cassell-Sealy once again thanked the Montserrat public for their patience as they suffered through the shortage crisis.
Fuel prices
Meanwhile as of last weekend, motorists are enjoying a further but welcome decrease in the cost of petrol which was very useful to the debaters because the advice and feedback they got from the audience, the debaters took it and they would probably adjust their speech or whatever else, their eye contact etc. Montserrat will take
stood briefly at $16.61, now down to $15.45 a long way from $17.50. The diesel price saw an even bigger drop moving from the recent new of $18.14 while not back to the previous, but $14.87. Sources said the reason for the huge recent increase at the end of January was due to a receipt of a higher grade of diesel, along with some other complex circumstances. In both instances, residents will have cause for joy, especially with respect to diesel which cost influences the fluctuating fuel surcharge on electricity bills. on Nevis on tonight Friday, February 22, on the moot for that night ‘illegal drug use is a public health matter rather than criminal justice matter.’
ANNOUNCEMENT Mr. David J. Hennigar, Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Montserrat Company Limited is pleased to announce the Appointment of Ms. Veronica A. Hickson to the Board of Directors of the Company. Ms. Hickson worked for The Montserrat Company Limited as Office Manager for many years until the Volcanic Eruption. She continued to be associated with the Company through her employment with Montserrat Enterprises Limited. Other members of the Board are Laurie D. Hennigar and Nick Betts of Nova Scotia, Canada and Jean E. H. Kelsick and D. R. V. Edwards of Montserrat. DAVID J. HENNIGAR Chairman,
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Friday, February 22, 2013
Letters/Opinion
EDITORIAL Aid impact review can teach plenty and should benefit...
In a few days a UK team from the Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI), an independent body responsible for scrutinising UK aid, will begin a visit to Montserrat which will runs over seven days from February 25to March 4. According to their terms of reference, they “will examine how the UK Government manages its aid to Montserrat as part of its support to British Overseas Territories. In particular, we will evaluate the Department for International Development’s (DFID’s) arrangements for capital investment in Montserrat.” It will be absolutely necessary that the bodies, i.e. organisations, groups and individuals be very open and sincere in their responses and opinions as they respond to the two-man team’s search to find out “the impact of the aid to Montserrat”. This must be unlike what some people might believe will not work in Montserrat’s interest. It is our hope that this team will, other than for courtesy calls, will not speak to anyone involved in the public service, from the cleaner to the Governor with respect to this matter, or anyone (with careful exceptions) with the responsibility of delivering the aid on the ground to Montserrat. The problem however, is that the majority of people in Montserrat have little or no knowledge of what the projects are in the scope of the ICAI review. Hidden behind this is one reason there are some who would say they prefer to have the British come and deliver British taxpayers’ money to and for the people. These people would be accused of not being nationalistic or desire independence, but oddly enough, it would be those people who are really interested in Montserrat’s welfare. Therefore, as not to get into that discussion, suffice to say now, it is the absence of real transparency, poor governance from all rounds by both governments of Montserrat. Figure it out! The Premier should not reduce himself, knowing that the people know little or nothing about the hundreds of projects that have been around, to be saying this, referring to the visiting team. “The UK is saying; let us take a look at the management of our little projects in Montserrat. Are we getting value for money, are they being corrupt in Montserrat, are the tenders operating the way they should be operating?... therefore we must be in a position to say to them, here are our books, here is the documentation we have nothing to hide.’ People are not familiar with the projects, they have not been informed and nothing has been explained to them. They hear only what government wants them to know and facilitates nothing else. Is it that they do not know how to do it? Ah, it’s easy to see the road project (those who travel from south to north) from Salem to St. John’s. The money is finished, not all the roads are refurbished or upgraded, and it hasn’t even reached Government Headquarters. So, what will people say is the impact on that? They will ask also, how much money was spent on the incomplete project? How are these matters passed on to the people? Very often it is said, by many from all sides, it is the media, the newspaper, who must keep people informed, be the watch dog, etc. However, no one considers the responsibility and cost for doing so, neither do they who should, care! In fact, they believe ignorance is bliss, so put the onus to get the information on those who think they want know. It’s on the web site/internet. The ICAI has the information that ‘Since 1995, DFID has provided a total of £350 million to Montserrat for emergency assistance, construction and financial support. In 2012-13, DFID is providing a subsidy of up to £14 million to Montserrat’s recurrent budget, equivalent to 55% of total recurrent expenditure.’ That £350 is approximately EC$92.65 million per year. Has Montserrat been given any special treatment? Whatever the answer, it should, the circumstances warrant it. Have DFID, the UK and the Montserrat government been responsible? Difficult to answer? Not for those, the few who have benefited, but the unfavoured, and indeed the masses will have no difficulty, for all kinds of reasons. The ICAI and the UK people responsible for the taxpayers money want to know what impact the projects have had on Montserrat. Whether it is hypocritical or not, the UK government says UK Government expects Overseas Territories governments to reduce and eventually eliminate their dependence on UK aid. Accordingly, the Overseas Territories Operational Plan contains three priorities: ‘to meet the reasonable assistance needs of Overseas Territories citizens cost effectively’; ‘to accelerate aid-dependent Overseas Territories towards self-sufficiency’; and ‘to manage the UK Government’s financial liability for non-aided Caribbean Overseas Territories in crisis’, by working closely with the FCO. The Montserrat Reporter acknowledges duty and responsibility, but it needs the support of those with the obligations, to ensure that the people are freely and independently informed. If DFID, the UK and the Montserrat governments are responsible, they will ensure that the people can provide the feedback that is required in a democratic society that expects to benefit from transparency and good governance. They pretend otherwise while systematically trying to obliterate independent media.
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
Thank you to our medics Editor’s note: The following letter which came to us in December went missing in the cyberworld. We are pleased to present it as in every other case, with our apologies to the writer who preferred to withhold their name. On the 8th December, 2012, I became an accident victim through my own fault and needed medical attention. We are very quick to report failure, BUT in this case, I have nothing but PRAISE for the staff on duty at the Glendon Hospital.
The ambulance men, who arrived very quickly and transported me slowly to the hospital. The A & E staff on duty, who dealt with “stitching” me up and I didn’t feel a thing! Radiology who took a range of x-rays. Finally, but certainly not last, the nursing staff on duty on the ward. I was treated with great care and respect, all my needs were dealt with and I can say that I could not have received better at-
tention anywhere, in the world. Although the hospital and its equipment are not modern, however, thanks to the government, the island can look forward to better things in the future. The staff can hold their heads high for doing so well under very difficult conditions. A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR. From a grateful patient.
Complaints Commission cont’d. from page 2 for mercy. “The Electoral Commission has not yet been setup, but for various procedural problems one of which we’re going to sort out today, (one member had to retake the oath). “The Complaints and Integrity Commissions have suffered delays for which there are excuses but I wouldn’t want to duck… they have taken too long to setup. I’m determined that the Complaints and Integrity Commissions will be setup by the end of this financial year.” Regarding the Complaints Commission there was a delay. “One lady who agreed to be member of the Complaints Commission then decided to do absolutely nothing to make her membership effective, i.e. refuse to travel to Montserrat to be sworn in…she didn’t want to do anything, so it took a long time to sort that out,” he informed.
He said the Integrity Commission was delayed, but, following a discussion about how to interpret the Integrity Act and how that might affect the Commission,“that was resolved in Cabinet.” He added however, “it has taken too long to set.” But, a new problem arose when one of the ladies on the Commission has taken a one year sabbatical off island which necessitated finding someone else, compounding an earlier problem finding persons for the Commissions. After expressing his thoughts that the Electoral Commission was not urgent he was remindedthat elections were due in less than two years. He said, “…I haven’t really paid focus on it that much because election is not due until halfway through next year, but I have comfort in the fact that Sir Howard tell me what the Electoral Commission really needs to do.”
After admitting there was a procedural problem, glitch with the Electoral Commission, “all Commissions will be in place by the end of this financial year.” With the Complaints Commission now in place, the Governor’s press release states, “The Commission estimates that all necessary Rules of Procedures will be in place by the end of March this year.” The advice is that, “until the procedures are in place, complaints may be made to the Commission by way of a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Commission care of the Constitution and Commissions Secretariat, Brades. Complaints may be made in relation to acts of maladministration or in relation to breaches of human rights occurring in any ministry/ department of the government of Montserrat or in any statutory authority or agency of the government of Montserrat.”
Our Scripture Verse Today Hidden Talents
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. - 1 Corinthians 12:4 (NIV) As I watched the liturgical dancers, choir members, and musicians during a church program, I was envious that I did not have similar talents. I wondered what talent I had that would create the joy and excitement I saw on the faces of the people around me. I started to check off on a mental list the talents I do not have: I do not dance. I do not have a voice that any choir director would welcome. I am not musically inclined in any way. As my “do not” and “cannot” list grew, my selfesteem plunged. What talent had God given me? Discouraged, I closed my eyes and prayed. Romans 12:6 came to mind:
“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” In the fog of my doubt, I saw a glimmer of hope. God has given me the ability to listen patiently and to offer encouragement to those who come to me with their problems or concerns. I can also write; and that talent, combined with my eye for photography, allows me to create a variety of multimedia projects to entertain family and friends. I realized that no matter what our gifts, God loves each of us. God’s only request is that we use our talents wisely and fully. Thank you, God, for the gifts you have given each of us. Help us to appreciate them and to value them as you do. Amen.
Friday, February 22, 2013
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Keep your eyes on Montserratians Little Bay, Montserrat write and publish By Claude Gerald
Montserratians everywhere may lose control of their island heritage in a post-volcano scenario. The Little Bay peninsula which has been a political football for many years is now to be developed as the island’s main commercial outpost, a town as we knew the concept, given our fascination with the entombed city at Plymouth; indigenous Montserratians seem programmed to be aliens in the eventual outcome in this emerging curious configuration. Moreover, it seems all right, quite fine, in the corridors of decision making at home and abroad. In this broader context therefore, Murphy-ism becomes a collateral issue of paling significance. At this hour the impression is clear that the intention is to price enterprising natives out of their patrimony, in preference to others who are financially able to make Little Bay an exclusive enclave for the affluent and the new rich; the latter inevitably and ironically arising from local wheeling and dealing and positioning, in driving this top-down development. Even at the subtlest levels, with the iron clad control of the joint local-foreign management of the Montserrat Development Control (emphasis on control) that destroys key vestiges of a plantation heritage and of natural history, chasing even native animals and birds from their sacred abode, the making of sustained dominance is obvious. It is within the realm of possibility, given current trends that the entrance to Little Bay via Carrs Bay can be embargoed in some form at some time to emphasize shutting natives
out in physical ways. Take note dear reader of the wanton scattering of the network of informal traders and fisher folk and the creation of a morgue of activity next to the never sleeping entrance at Carrs Bay, distinguished as the long sort after Evergreen Tree center of Plymouth, where people met naturally by just washing their feet and come. Self-promoting planners know that they could afford to roast a pliant populace with impunity, as no outrage will be yelled except from frightful corners of their homes. Turning to appease the other cheek, despite the biblical command has flattened our development irreparably for ages. The principled takes a back seat to the material (salaries), the short memory and the long belly! No other commitment is as weighty for a sitting government to do as to maintain a culture tied to natives owning and controlling land privileges. Caring governments of the 60s to 70s legislatively (Alien Land Holding Act) and effectively protected land rights of indigenous Montserratians even in the face of a growing real estate sector that supplanted plantation agriculture as the engine of economic growth. Private investors then spent hundreds of millions of dollars to purchase and develop land from Cheap End to Richmond Hill along the West coast of Montserrat and at Bethel Estate in the East. They were pleased with their expenditure in compliance with the laws that existed. Also over a thousand foreigners including some extremely wealthy ones
invested additional hundreds of millions of dollars constructing homes on Montserrat in total acceptance with the immigration and landholding laws. When theyput the land on the market, the payment arrangements were such that Montserratians did not have to be rich in order to purchase plots on the installment basis. In other words, Montserratians were not priced out of participation. The reason for this was that they were not intent on any form of domination or taking political control. Instead, they were content to live on Montserrat under a locally controlled government and accept a level of integration with the local population. However, the unregulated, uncontrolled influx of people (all categories) during the years since the eruption, has made ‘indigenous’ Montserratians a minority in their own territory. Given the failure to legislate effectively to protect the political dominance of real Montserratians, others will eventually gain political control. That is likely to happen sooner rather than later. Enter the British opportunistically scheming for a takeover of their own, a desire since the government of John Osborne, by its behavior in the ‘80s allowed a rolling back of our constitution. This current governor arrived to launch a meet-the-people fan fair with meetings in every nook. This mission was not quite clear. Many citizens hailed this unusual if not enterprising governor for the outreach effort until a spirited Premier dubbed him derisively ‘the other Chief Minister’ for his campaign
cont’d. on page 11
by Howard Fergus
When we were growing up there were scarcely any books in many of our homes. And books were certainly not written by the likes of us. They came from overseas written by persons like J. O. Cutteridge whose cow, as Sparrow reminds us, jumped over the moon. And we are certainly grateful for Nelson’s West Indian Readers on which we cut our reading teeth. All this has changed. News reaching us recently tells that Dr. Sheron Burns authored a Chapter in a prestigious and seminal book,Understanding Child Sexual Abuse: Perspectives from the Caribbean published by Palgrave Macmillan. This is not an isolated phenomenon; and Montserratians are writing in various genres: non-fiction (academic), poetry and fiction including plays. In academic writings there are veterans like Professor George Irish who blazed the trail and there are others like Dr. Glenford Howe, Dr. Eddie Donoghue, Warren Cassell, Dr. Clarice Barnes, Dr. Coretta Fergus, David Edgecombe, Dr. Roy Lee, Dr. Graham Ryan, Dr. Gertrude Shotte, Dorcas White, Tony Wade and Gracelyn Cassell who have books, book chapters and articles in learned journals to their credit. Anjella Skerritt has recently come on board with her Free to be Sexually Safe. Sharmen Greenaway, aprofessional health worker living in the UK, recently published a very interesting book, Montserrat in England: Dynamics of Culture which is a study of the Montserratian diaspora.BlondinaHowes and Dr. Delpha Charles, one writing on a religious theme and the other on
Sir Howard Fergus
literature (A Caribbean Accent to Shakespeare’s Voice) also fall into the academic category. Former teacher Shirley Kirwan has also weighed in on the religious side with The Healing Hand of God, as does Dr. Irene Prospere.And Catherine Buffonge’s series on the Volcano will be perennially relevant. Those special newspaper issues by Jeddie Fenton on the Volcanic Eruption,are valuable archival material and sources in their own right also. In fiction, our premier author is Edgar White with novels, stories and plays; he has enjoyed international glory, and hardly needs my feeble line to highlight him. Then there is Archie Markham, another giant and David Edgecombe who has been writing plays for decades before he was published; his Heaven was published in 2011, though not the first;and one of his books is now on the CXC syllabus. Vincent Browne another veteran
playwright has also been published belatedly and edited by Dr. Irish in a manner which makes his work available to students.David Bradsha w’s,GrowingUpBarefootUnderMont serrat Sleeping Volcano and Yvonne Weekes’ Volcano: A Memoire can be conveniently placed in this section although they contain a strong biographical element with the imaginative aspects mixed in. Violet Jane Grell who sojourns in Anguilla has also published excellent short stories. Written for children, Little Island, Live Volcano by Carol Tuitt and Randy Greenaway attracts special attention. Apart from publishing her own magazine on-line, Shirley Osborne’s philosophical Tolerance is No Virtue rightly belongs to the academic section.Recent writers of fiction include JoAnnah Richards, Doreen O’garro and Theo Semper whom the UWI Open Campus Literary Festival has brought to our
cont’d. on page 7
Premier Dr. Rufus Ewing as CARICOM for assistance By Hayden Boyce Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Turks and Caicos Islands Premier Hon. Dr. Rufus Ewing has called on CARICOM (Caribbean Community), to advocate on the international stage for the full restoration of the institutions of true democracy in this country. In his maiden speech to a CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, Dr. Ewing asked regional leaders to “support our (Turks and Caicos Islands) cries for removal of the spectre of colonial influences of the past, as we fight for our rights on our journey towards true self-governance and self-determination”.
Dr. Ewing’s Tuesday morning speech which was carried on several television stations through the Caribbean, was well-received by the CARICOM leaders and other regional delegates who are attending the 24th InterSessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM which is being held in Haiti. “The current state of affairs in the Turks and Caicos Islands has the potential to throw our Country into chaos. For so long as I am the leader and principal spokesman of the Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, I will use
every means available to me to ensure that does not happen,” Dr. Ewing asserted. The TCI Premier told the CARICOM meeting that although the November 9th 2012 ended three years of British direct rule and returned the Turks and Caicos Islands to self-rule, the overall state of political affairs remains “less than desirable in our islands”. “The restoration of true democracy is still a far way off,” said Dr. Ewing, a 45year-old surgeon by profession. “In the Turks and Caicos Islands, we are today being governed by a constitution that
was conceived in White Hall, and was for all intents and purposes thrust upon the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands, at a time when they were without representation. The 2011 Constitution is merely a by-law for the continuance of direct rule under the pretext of representative democracy. Noting that there has always been a commitment in CARICOM for democratic values and a concern for basic human rights, Dr. Ewing stressed that CARICOM has never been afraid to condemn any circumstance that is an affront to democracy or denies the basic human rights to any
people. He stated: “I wish to assure the Community (CARICOM), that the Government and people of the Turks and Caicos Islands are committed to all the principles of democracy and the tenets of good governance. As a Government, we are committed to strengthening where they exist and creating where
cont’d. on page 9
TCI Premier, Dr. Rufus King
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Friday, February 22, 2013
ECCU Students gain insight on Economic issues via video conference
In Montserrat, 26 students from the Montserrat Secondary School were part of over 290 students aged 14 - 19 from the eight member countries of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), who together via videoconference to share their perspectives and engage in discussions on youth unemployment, viability of agriculture in the OECS and the benefits of the OECS Economic Union on February 14. Each of the islands E C C B a g e n c y o ff i c e hosted, where students gathered, as the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) facilitated the regional session. It
was designed to give the students the opportunity to exchange their ideas and broaden their understanding of the 2013 OECS Essay Competition topics. The session was also geared to exposing the students to techniques for analysing the essay questions, organising their ideas and presenting strong arguments. The facilitators were: • Ms Betty-Ann Gilbert, the Managing Director of Dynamic Distributors in St Kitts and Nevis who addressed the topic, Youth Unemployment: Opportunities for Entrepreneurship.
cont’d. on page 9
Above: students at the Montserrat ECCB agency office during the video conference left: students arrange and sing Ms Gilbert spoke to the challenges faced by young people due to the high rates of youth unemployment and the opportunities which could be derived from this situation. She further encouraged the students to embrace volun-
below: students at the various ECCB agency offices throughtout the Caribbean on video screen
teerism as an avenue for broadening their skill sets and creating employment opportunities. • Mr Roderick St Clair, Marketing Offi cer of the Marketing and National Importing Board in Grenada presented on the topic, Improving the Viability of Agriculture in the OECS. In his presentation, Mr St Clair highlighted the linkages between agriculture and the other real sectors and the contribution of agriculture to the ECCU’s Gross Domestic Product. • Ms Sybil Welsh, Adviser, ECCB wrapped up the session with a discussion on: The OECS Economic Union: Benefits, Challenges and Opportunities, where the students shared their perspectives on the benefits of the union to the citizens of the OECS. The students in addition to the main focus of the video conference forum and presentations therefrom, heard discussed education in its wider sense, when they were encouraged to involve themselves in cooperative efforts, in apprenticeships and volunteerism, not letting money be the first reason for their involvement. Four discussants
also shared expertise and hands-on experience on the various topics and helped to deepen discussion among the students to increase their interest and heighten their understanding of the issues. The students also received tips, research resources and guidelines which would assist them with writing their essays. The OECS Essay Competition, which began in 2001, is part of the ECCB’s community outreach programme and is open to students aged 14 – 19 throughout the ECCU member countries. The topics for the 2013 competition are: • In today's economic climate, many school leavers are faced with high unemployment rates within the OECS countries. What can the youth do to turn this situation into opportunities for entrepreneurship? • Agriculture is a viable booster for OECS economies. Discuss. • What strategies can OECS countries employ to ensure that young people become better acquainted with the benefits of the OECS Economic Union? The deadline for submitting the essays is March 29, 2013.
Friday, February 22, 2013
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Governor visits the release site of the critically endangered mountain chicken
GOVERNMENT OF MONTSERRAT/ MONTSERRAT UTILITIES LIMITED SECOND POWER PROJECT INVITATION FOR BIDS The Government of Montserrat (GOM) has received a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) in an amount equivalent to two million five hundred thousand United States dollars (USD2,500,000) toward the cost of Second Power Project - Montserrat, and intends to apply the proceeds of this loan to eligible payments under this contract. Payment by CDB will be made only at the request of GOM and upon approval by CDB, and will be subject, in all respects, to the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement By Ministry of the Environprohibits a withdrawal from the Loan Account for the purpose of any payment to persons ment The Mountain Chicken Projor entities, or for any import of goods, if such payment or import, to the knowledge of CDB, is prohibited by a decision of the United Nations Security Council under Chapter ect, implemented by the MontserVIII of the Charter of the United Nations. No other party other than GOM shall derive any rat Department of Environment and Durrell Wildlife Conservation rights from the Loan Agreement or have any claim to the proceeds of the Loan. MUL now invites sealed bids from capable bidders for the construction of the power station and the supply and installation of the necessary equipment (the Works).
Trust,hosted a visit by the Governor of Montserrat to a site within the Centre Hills where the third group of mountain chickens has recently been released. As part of his visit, the Gov-
ernor was shown how project staff uses radio-tracking equipment to locate released frogs in the forest, so they can be monitored. Once a mountain chicken
cont’d. on page 11
Calvin ‘Blacka’ Fenton demonstrating how a mountain chicken is swabbed
Description of the Works The Works include but is not limited to the following: (a) Electrical and Mechanical Works: The installation and commissioning of one medium-speed diesel generator of approximately 1.5 MW nominal output, the associated ancillary equipment, switchgear and a control, instrumentation and communication system. (b) Civil Works and Buildings: (i) construction of a power station building to house three diesel generators with provision for future expansion including control, switchgear and battery rooms; (ii) security fencing and gates, gatehouse and perimeter lighting; (iii) bulk fuel storage tanks, water tanks and workshop; (iv) ground improvement works, earthworks, landscaping and drainage system; and (v) building services, fire-fighting equipment etc. This procurement opportunity is open to capable firms from all countries. Bidders will be required to submit full qualification information with their bids establishing their eligibility to bid and qualification to perform the contract if the bid is accepted. Tender and qualification information are to be submitted in the English Language on the prescribed forms inserted in the Bid Documents. Submissions that do not provide the information required, or that do not demonstrate the prospective contractor’s ability to perform satisfactorily, will not qualify and will not be considered for further evaluation. Bid Documents may be obtained from the first address below for a non-refundable fee of two hundred and fifty United States dollars (USD250). Requests may be made by personal application or in writing. Written applications must be clearly marked: “Request for Bidding Documents for the Brades Power Station - Montserrat”. Payment should be by cash, wire transfer, bank draft or bank guaranteed cheque made payable to MUL. Information to effect a wire transfer can be obtained from the first address below. Applicants who request that documents be forwarded to them must submit an account number from a local courier agent that accepts freight collect charges. Documents will be promptly dispatched following payment, but under no circumstance will GOM or MUL be held responsible for late delivery or loss of the documents so transmitted.
Inset: Sarah Louise Adams explaining the data work sheet to HE Governor Davis
Submissions in sealed envelopes, marked “Confidential - Tender for Brades Power Station - Montserrat” and with the name and address of the bidder on the outside of the envelop, must be received at the first address below not later than 14:00 hours on Wednesday, May 8, 2013. Bid opening will take place immediately after the deadline for submission, in the presence of bidders representatives who choose to attend. Simultaneously, qualification cont’d. from page 5 information only must be submitted to the second address below.
Montserrat’s writers
Bids must be accompanied by a Bid Security of three hundred thousand United States attention. While the famous M.P. Shiel is far away and long ago, he dollars (USD300,000) or equivalent in a freely convertible currency. GOM/MUL reserves the right to accept or reject any bid, and to annul the process and deserves mention since his birth is reject all bids, at any time prior to award of contract, without thereby incurring any liability registered in the island. Poetry has animpressive roll to the affected prospective bidder(s) or any obligation to inform the affected prospective call, with Archie Markham who bidder(s) of the grounds for GOM’s/MUL’s action. GOM/MUL will not defray any costs leads the class highly acclaimed incurred by any bidder in the preparation of bids. internationally. Others who have 1. Address For Correspondence, Bid Submission and Bid Opening brought out volumes include FerThe Managing Director gus, Clover Lee, ChaddCumberMontserrat Utilities Limited batch Yvonne Weekes and Elcia Davy Hill MONTSERRAT, W.I. Daniel,whoseTrees Have Hands Tel: (664) 491 2538 has just been released and reveals a Fax: (664) 491 3143 competent poet of great sensibility. E-mail: Peter.White@mul.ms In addition many of our writers of verse have been included in An2. Address For Completed Qualification Information Only thologies with the likes of Chanelle Procurement Officer Roach national prize winner, Shirley Caribbean Development Bank Spycalla and Jamal Jeffers among P.O. Box 408 them. Edgar White is also a poet of Wildey, St. Michael BB11000 BARBADOS, W.I. class;and both Irish and Greenaway Tel: (246) 431 - 1600 have published poems also. Fax: (246) 426 - 7269 Haycene Ryan’s book is a Email: procurement@caribank.org
compilation of newspaper articles, largely, and he may well have set an example for some of our columnists to follow. There are respectable writers among these too.Claude Gerald is only one example of these, especially if we include an able line of newspaper editors such as Laurel Meade, Howell Bramble and Bennette Roach. One is not claiming uniqueness for Montserrat. But to have writers of the calibre of Barnes, Bradshaw Browne, Burns, Grace Cassell, Warren Cassell, Cumberbatch,Daniel, Edgecombe, Howe, Irish, Lee, Markham, Weekes,White and company coming out of our minuscule square miles, is worth writing about. Writing is development and potential for development and when we add the many thinkers among us who may not have published but have forwarded ideas one wonders why we are always so dependent,
sometimes on mediocre talent. It is true that the mushrooming of printing and publishing companies facilitates what is essentially selfpublishing, but many of the books have genuine merit. They will have to be judged on their own internal quality. It is worth noting though that this is just a listing and not an analysis of the writings. The Literary Festival deserves credit too for facilitating book launches and hopefully stimulating Montserratian writing and publishing. Finally, while one sought to be inclusive, it was difficult to be totally comprehensive; so I apologise to those whose names have been inadvertently omitted and welcome information which would lead to a more perfect compilation. Thanks to Dr. Burns for triggering this piece; she is a scholar and professional of the present and the future.
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Friday, February 22, 2013
Kids time - In your own korner Hello everyone – It is kid’s time with Auntie Lyka “In Your Own Korner”. In the month of February we celebrated Chinese New Year. This year is the year of the snake. 新年好- Happy new year. You can go on google translate and see the translation for Happy New Year in Chinese.. I did it and had fun trying to speak Chinese. Read a book as you go along. Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4711 begins on Feb. 10, 2013. Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year. A Charming New Year Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He an-
nounced that the people born in each animal’s year would have some of that animal’s personality. Those born in snake years are wise, charming, gregarious, introverted, generous, and smart. Oprah Winfrey and Brad Pitt were born in the year of the snake.
Chinese New Year: 2013 The Year of the Snake 蛇的2013年中国新的一年里， by Holly Hartman
Fireworks and Family Feasts At Chinese New Year celebrations people wear red clothes, decorate with poems on red paper, and give children “lucky money” in red envelopes. Red symbolizes fire, which according to legend can drive away bad luck. The fireworks that shower the festivities are rooted in a similar ancient custom. Long ago, people in China lit bamboo stalks, believing that the crackling flames would frighten evil spirits. The Lantern Festival In China, the New Year is a time of family reunion. Family members gather at each other’s homes for visits and shared meals, most significantly a feast on New Year’s Eve. In the United States, however, many early Chinese immigrants arrived without their families, and found a sense of community through neighborhood associations instead. Today, many ChineseAmerican neighborhood associations host banquets and other New Year events.
Pre-School Corner
Hello to you my preschool friends. This week we will look at COLOURING ALPHBET PICTURES. I hope you enjoy Letter V
The lantern festival is held on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. Some of the lanterns may be works of art, painted with birds, animals, flowers, zodiac signs, and scenes from legend and history. People hang glowing lanterns in temples, and carry lanterns to an evening parade under the light of the full moon. In many areas the highlight of the lantern festival is the dragon dance. The dragon—which might stretch a hundred feet long—is typically made of silk, paper, and bamboo. Traditionally the dragon is held aloft by young men who dance as they guide the colorful beast through the streets. In the United States, where the New Year is celebrated with a shortened schedule, the dragon dance always takes place on a weekend. In addition, many Chinese-American communities have added American parade elements such as marching bands and floats.
新年好- Happy new year
Try the Chinese New Year Quiz 1.
According to tradition, who do families visit on the
first day of Chinese New Year? youngest family members
extended family members
oldest family members friends 2.
What fruit, representing luck and prosperity, is
traditionally the most popular to hand out for the Chinese New Year? Pineapple Tangerines 3.
Star fruit Papaya
According to legend, a god asked all the animals to
meet him on Chinese New Year. When 12 came, he named a year after each animal, declaring that people born in that year would have some of that animal’s personality. What is the name of the god? Jesus
Allah
4.
What color symbolizes fire, which according to
Buddha
Ganesha
legend, can drive away bad luck and evil spirits? Yellow
Red
Black
Orange
5.
Chinese New Year’s celebrations traditionally start at
the beginning of the month and end on what day? 15th
8th
25th
18th
Answers 6.Lanterns 7.A dragon 8. February 14 9.Cat 10.Patient 1.oldest family members 2.Tangerines 3.Buddha 4.Red 5.15th
See you next week right here
In Your Own Korner. Where we will have fun Kids write your stories, tell us about yourselves. Email or post - Write to Aunty Lyka, at P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, or send email to: kidstime@themontserratreporter.com
FIND
YOUR YEAR AND FOR YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS.
Friday, February 22, 2013
BEFORE THE SUPERVISOR OF INSURANCE NOTICE OF INTENTION OF BRITISH-AMERICAN INSURANCE COMPANY LIMTED (IN JUDICIAL MANAGEMENT) TO TRANSFER PART OF ITS INSURANCE BUSINESS TO SAGICOR LIFE, INC PURSUANT TO SECTION 56 OF THE INSURANCE ACT CHAPTER 11.20 OF THE LAWS OF MONTSERRAT Notice is hereby given that a request was presented to the Supervisor of Insurance under Section 56 of the Insurance Act Chapter 11.20 of the laws of Montserrat for an Order confirming a scheme for the transfer of insurance business (the “Scheme”) between British-American Insurance Company Limited (In Judicial Management) (“BAICO”) and Sagicor Life, Inc. (“Sagicor”). Be further advised that the Supervisor of Insurance has ordered that the said request shall be heard on 25 February 2013 at 5pm at The Credit Union House, Brades. Under the Scheme, BAICO intends to transfer certain of its traditional life insurance business issued in Montserrat to Sagicor under the terms of a Sale and Purchase Agreement entered into with Sagicor on 29th day of June, 2012 (the “Sale and Purchase Agreement”). Pursuant to the Sale and Purchase Agreement, certain in-force traditional life insurance policies issued by BAICO in Montserrat or with respect to which BAICO otherwise has continuing liability (collectively, the “Policies”), will be transferred to Sagicor, and Sagicor will assume the liabilities associated with the Policies (the “Transfer”). The types of policies that will transfer to Sagicor are listed below. Any person wishing to confirm the type of policy they have, and whether their policy is intended to be included in this transfer, should refer to the Schedule of Benefits section in their policy, refer to their local branches or telephone the helpline for assistance.
Home Service Ordinary Life Universal Life Group Pension Plan
The terms of the proposed Scheme are described in more detail in the legal scheme of transfer request made to the Supervisor of Insurance (the “Scheme Document”). It is proposed that the Transfer be completed on a date agreed to by the parties (the “Effective Date”), subject to the satisfaction by the parties of certain closing conditions and the receipt by the parties of all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the Supervisor of Insurance. Until the Effective Date, BAICO remains responsible for all of its insurance liabilities in Montserrat.
Page g 9
Watch Little Bay cont’d. from page to the interests of Montserratians. government. 5 Local representatives of the people Handing over pristine Little style of village encounters and manipulated and neutralized him to a follower status, shutting him out and down to the Premier’s pleasure and shadow. It is certain though that he had a wider mandate to change the immigration and land holding laws on Montserrat in order to become more attractive to investors. Through the governor, Britain has imposed this thinking on a perceptively morally weak local administration and has been insistent in repeating this demand with the passing of a retrograde constitution over the fervent objection of public opinion and notably other legislative changes detrimental
simply ignore this travesty and glibly collect their paycheck. Now at a time when the land space is so limited the British have been allowed to design the takeover of Little Bay in a manner which will render the area exclusive to wealthy foreigners plus of course a certain few locals who have accumulated mega wealth through various nefarious means. One draft of the plan at Little Bay provides for the construction of properties with starting price of US2M each. That will certainly create an exclusive ghetto for rich foreigners whether they are British, Chinese or others. To have amended laws pertaining to immigration and land holding means that they will have economic and political control and the indigenous Montserratians will be relegated to third class citizens. In fact a colonial status infinitely more malignant than what was experienced prior to emancipation will be established with the consent of our local
Bay and the surrender of the indigenous population to the status of hewers of wood and drawers of water in their own country is scandalous. It is in the making my dear reader! (more on that later). Given our pristine and healthy climate, the abundance of high quality water, the fact that Montserrat is the safest country in the world and also our strategic location between Europe and Asia and the Pacific on the other side, with proper management, we could easily have attracted investors on our own terms just as we did in the sixties and beyond. Even though one senses that the cause is virtually lost, there is still lurking, the fantasy of the original model, in which Montserratians maintained ownership and control of their country and way of life. Only moral vision in leadership will save the day on this sorrowful ship of state that we care so much about.
TCI seeks CARICOM
The Transfer is part of a larger transaction whereby Sagicor will acquire the majority of BAICO’s in-force traditional life insurance policies across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (see above list for the types of policies affected). Once the Scheme is implemented on the Effective Date, Sagicor will be responsible for all liabilities under the Policies. Sagicor has advised that there will be no impact on the terms of existing Policies or the guarantees cont’d. from page 5 contained therein. Specifically, Sagicor has confirmed that the transaction will not impact the following: they do not exist, all those institutions that promote democracy and good governance. policy rates, terms and conditions; Guided by that commitment, the people of coverage and benefits; and the Turks and Caicos Islands by and large service and administration of the Policies.
assistance
Sagicor is a highly respected insurance provider operating across 19 countries in the Caribbean as well as in the UK and US. Sagicor’s parent, Sagicor Financial Corporation Limited, is a listed entity in both Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago, Sagicor has a financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) from A.M. Best. Sagicor is already a regulated entity in all of the ECCU countries involved in the transaction. Sagicor has demonstrated its commitment to the ECCU region by: Agreeing to set up an ECCU Consultative Committee, whose role will be to play an oversight role (including compliance, anti-money laundering, capital adequacy and corporate governance) in relation to the performance of the business; Placing its ECCU business into a separate ECCU-based entity within 12 months of completion of the sale; and Committing to listing at least 25% of the shares of the ECCU Entity on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange within two years of its commencement of operations.
It is advised that policyholders should contact a professional for advice on this transaction, if necessary. Any person who believes that he would be adversely affected by the carrying out of the Scheme shall be entitled to be heard at the hearing of the application for the Scheme to be convened by the Supervisor of Insurance. The said Scheme will be subject to the approval of the Supervisor of Insurance. If you have any queries regarding the Transfer, you may call the BAICO branch at 1-664-491-2361 or the Judicial Manager at 1-784-456-2669, or email the Judicial Manager at brianglasgow@kpmg.vc or send inquiries to BAICO at its offices in Montserrat at PO Box 71, St Peters. Copies of the Scheme Document, the related actuarial report and other related documents will be made available for inspection by any affected policyholder at BAICO’s office at PO Box 71, St Peters, Montserrat for a period of fifteen (15) days after publication of this notice and on BAICO’s website (www.baico-intl.com). DATED this 8th day of February, 2013.
welcomed the need for reforms and for the strengthening of governance systems. By and large we acknowledged that the allegations of corruption and maladministration necessitated investigation. We have however, always been concerned that the inquiry was left to a lone Commissioner and we have always maintained that the suspension of our constitution and the establishment of an Interim Administration, was an inappropriate response to the Commissioner’s findings and ran counter to every principle of democracy and good governance.” Dr. Ewing, the country’s third Premier, added: “Our sense of what is right and decent and fair compels us to question even to this day, why it is that former Governor (Richard) Tauwhare, who was a member of the Cabinet for a significant period of the last elected government’s term, has not been required to speak to his involvement in the alleged wrong doings. As you would expect, I am slow to comment on judicial processes, but I would betray my duty to the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands if I did not express our concern that in relation to the criminal investigations that followed the commission of inquiry, persons who were charged criminally have avoided the criminal process by paying millions of dollars into the treasury before they were even called upon to answer the charge. This type of action is abusive and nothing short of corrupt. It is the more egregious, because those who have to date been able
to purchase their justice, have not been Turks and Caicos Islanders. When those who dispense justice are allowed to see black or white, rich or poor, expatriate or Belonger, what they dispense ceases to be justice. When justice is for sale and when laws are implemented and made retroactive, arguably in an effort to secure particular convictions, the justice system and the system of justice is being challenged and democracy is under siege.” On the issue of taxation without representation, Dr. Ewing told CARICOM that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands by its duly elected Parliamentarians have just recently unanimously voted in support of an ordinance to repeal the Value Added Tax Ordinance that was passed by the Interim Administration and that is scheduled to come into force on April 1st of this year. He said the unanimity of the vote to repeal the VAT Ordinance, did not come as a surprise, as both political parties campaigned against its immediate implementation and sought its delay in order to allow the elected Government to explore alternative measures. “We have made representations to the effect that VAT is not in the best interest of a small economy such as ours and have provided sound alternative revenue generating measures. While we maintain that VAT will not work in the Turks and Caicos Islands, we are more concerned, as you can see, that the principle of Democracy and Good Governance, which mandates that the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands through their elected
cont’d. on page 11
Page 10
Friday, February 22, 2013
Royal Bank of Canada - Montserrat Branch Operations
Summary Financial Statements 2012 31 October 2012 (expressed in Eastern Caribbean Dollars)
Independent auditors’ report To the directors of Royal Bank of Canada The accompanying summary financial statements, which comprise the summary statement of financial position as at 31 October 2012, the summary statement of comprehensive income, summary statement of capital accounts and summary statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and the related note, are derived from the audited financial statements of Royal Bank of Canada – Montserrat Branch Operations for the year ended 31 October 2012. We expressed an unmodified audit opinion on those financial statements in our report dated 8 February 2013. The summary financial statements do not contain all the disclosures required by International Financial Reporting Standards applied in the preparation of the audited financial statements of Royal Bank of Canada – Montserrat Branch
Operations. statements, reading the Royal Bank Operations.
Reading the summary financial therefore, is not a substitute for audited financial statements of of Canada – Montserrat Branch
Management’s responsibility for the summary financial statements Management is responsible for the preparation of a summary of the audited financial statements in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. Auditors’ responsibility Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the summary financial statements based on our procedures, which were conducted in accordance with International Standard on Auditing (ISA) 810, “Engagements to Report on Summary Financial Statements.”
Summary statement of financial position
Assets Cash and cash equivalents Balances with central bank Loans and advances to customers Due from associated and affiliated companies Premises and equipment Income tax recoverable Deferred tax assets Other assets Total assets Liabilities Due to banks Customers’ deposits Due to associated and affiliated companies Deferred tax liabilities Other liabilities Total liabilities Capital accounts Assigned capital Retained earnings Total capital and liabilities
Deloitte & Touche Chartered Accountants Bridgetown, Barbados 8 February 2013
Summary statement of comprehensive income
31 October 2012 $
31 October 2011 $
17,344,003 25,438,804 7,373,975
18,126,004 20,361,855 8,881,510
80,990,181 370,793 298,859 27,725 349,440
157,557,674 506,053 5,700 27,479 420,649
132,193,780
205,886,924
780,138 114,123,004
19,403 101,193,315
16,344,653 31,090 492,586
103,826,689 57,329 424,596
131,771,471
205,521,332
-422,309
-365,592
422,309
365,592
132,193,780
205,886,924
Approved on 8 February 2013
_________________________ Lucille Irish Branch Manager
Opinion In our opinion, the summary financial statements derived from the audited financial statements of Royal Bank of Canada – Montserrat Branch Operations for the year ended 31 October 2012 are consistent, in all material respects, with those financial statements, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards.
________________________ E. T. Boone Manager – Financial Control & Planning Eastern Caribbean
Interest income Interest expense Net interest income Non-interest income Net income Non-interest expenses Impairment (loss) recovery on loans and advances Income before taxation Taxation Total comprehensive income
Year ended 31 October 2012 $
Year ended 31 October 2011 $
6,303,857 (2,576,233) 3,727,624 756,090 4,483,714 (1,839,497)
6,203,402 (2,157,008) 4,046,394 738,957 4,785,351 (1,845,385)
(373,367) 2,270,850 (668,206) 1,602,644
50,425 2,990,391 (370,332) 2,620,059
Summary statement of capital accounts Assigned capital $ Balances – 31 October 2010 Total comprehensive income Amounts remitted to head office Balances – 31 October 2011 Total comprehensive income Amounts remitted to head office Balances – 31 October 2012
----
Retained earnings $
Total $
(338,265)
(338,265)
2,620,059
2,620,059
(1,916,202) (1,916,202)
--
365,592
365,592
--
1,602,644
1,602,644
---
(1,545,927) (1,545,927) 422,309
422,309
Friday, February 22, 2013
Page g 11
Royal Bank of Canada - Montserrat Branch Operations
Summary Financial Statements 2012 31 October 2012 (expressed in Eastern Caribbean Dollars) continued
Summary statement of cash flows
Operating activities Income before taxation Adjustments for: Depreciation and amortisation of assets Loss on disposal of premises and equipment Interest income Interest expense Increase (decrease) in operating assets Balances with central bank Loans and advances to customers Due from associated and affiliated companies Other assets Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities Due to banks Customers’ deposits Due to associated and affiliated companies Other liabilities Interest income received – loans and advances Interest paid Corporation taxes paid Cash used in operating activities Financing activities Amounts remitted to head office Net cash used in financing activities Investing activities Investment income received (MM placements) Investment income received (securities) Net additions to premises and equipment Proceeds from sale of premises and equipment Net cash provided by investing activities Net (decrease) increase in cash resources Cash resources – beginning of year Cash resources – end of year
Year ended 31 October 2012 $
Year ended 31 October 2011 $
2,270,850
2,990,391
140,310 -(6,303,857) 2,576,233 (1,316,464)
168,778 181,432 (6,203,402) 2,157,008 (705,793)
(5,076,949) 1,507,535 76,567,493 (15,591)
(11,892,718) (869,261) (14,443,807) 10,129
760,735 12,929,689 (87,482,036) 66,030 877,170 (2,574,273) (987,849) (4,744,510)
(48,181) 16,874,372 10,029,458 (30,177) 858,302 (2,130,862) (723,584) (3,072,122)
(1,545,927) (1,545,927)
(1,916,202) (1,916,202)
4,467,771 1,045,715 (5,050) -5,508,436 (782,001) 18,126,004 17,344,003
4,271,614 1,042,857 (91,849) 18,000 5,240,622 252,298 17,873,706 18,126,004
Incorporation and business activities Royal Bank of Canada (“The Bank” or “RBC”) whose principal place of business of its Head Office is 200 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a chartered bank operating under the Bank Act of Canada and is registered in Montserrat as an external company under the Montserrat Companies Act, with its principal place of business as, Brades, Montserrat. The Bank is licensed as a foreign bank under the Banking Act (“the Act”) which governs the operations of financial institutions in Montserrat and regulated by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank. The principal activities in Montserrat are retail banking and related operations.
Press Release
CWC invests millions more in LIME for Fibre Connections
New investments to boost broadband and TV service in the region In another move to deliver more value to customers Cable and Wireless Communications, the parent company for LIME, plans to invest an additional US$20 million in network infrastructure across the region. This is expected to further boost data speeds and build out TV product, especially in markets such as Barbados and Cayman.
In addition to pointing to an on-target financial position, the company further explained that as part of shaping the business to focus on the Pan American region, it has accelerated some investments designed to reduce costs and improve services for customers. This includes commencement of a major deployment of fibre in Barbados and Cayman to upgrade
cont’d. on page 12
Governor visits mountain chickens T C I s e e k s a s s i s t a n c e ... cont’d. from page 7 was located, Lloyd Martin from the Department of Environment and Project Field Assistant Calvin ‘Blacka’ Fenton demonstrated how to swab a frog for chytrid fungus and to assess the frog for visible clinical signs. The mountain chicken is a critically endangered terrestrial frog with small populations foundonly on Dominica and Montserrat. Current threats include habitat loss, predation by invasive species,
such as rats and feral pigs and the recent invasion of the chytrid fungus which threatens the species with extinction. Since its discovery in 1997, the chytrid fungus has been implicated in over 100 suspected amphibian species extinctions across the globe. As part of a research strategy formalised by international project partners the Mountain Chicken Project has conducted 3 releases of captive bred mountain chickens, which
have been bred under quarantine conditions. The aim of these releases is to test a number of hypotheses that may lead to a set of conditions that will result in maximum survival rates of the released frogs. So far, although the fungus has been documented in the release populations, the project is hopeful that a small number of the release frogs will survive. Gerard A L Gray DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT
officials, must have an opportunity to consider any measure that seeks to impose an additional tax burden on them or to otherwise alter their tax structure, is a principle that is being sacrificed on the altar of despotism. If His Excellency the Governor (Ric Todd) refuses to assent to the repeal bill, he would have said in no uncertain terms that the voice of the people is the voice of God, only so long as God and the United Kingdom Government are singing in chorus. I cannot stress with sufficient strength nor overstate the significance of these events. The question is not one of taxation, but rather, one of democracy,” Premier Ewing stated. The Premier also complained to CARICOM aboutpai the continued presence of Chief
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Financial Officer Hugh McGarel-Groves “whose office controls government expenditure without the authority of the elected Minister of Finance”. Additionally, he told regional leaders that on February 10th 2013, “moved by dismay over the constant infractions of democratic principles and insults to the ideals of elected government”, he wrote a letter to the UK First Secretary of State, The Rt. Hon. William Hague, MP - Minister of Foreign Affairs - requesting the recall with immediate effect, of the UK appointed dignitaries responsible for these infractions, namely His Excellency the Governor, the Attorney General Huw Shepheard and the Chief Financial Officer.
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D r i l l i n g b e g i n s ...cont’d. from page 1 cont’d. from page 1 reached the stage that the drilling will begin and we are thankful to the Almighty God and all those who have worked behind the scenes and those who will work now to bring it to completion,” he continued. Adding his own prayers, himself a lay pastor in the Anglican Church, he continued, “I pray that all of us continue to keep Montserrat In their prayers, that whatever happens we will all be blessed by that powerful One that kept us thus far. He then thanked“… all for coming for this, what was supposed to just to bless in this short
ceremony, thank you all, God bless you.” That ended the brief ceremony The drilling which began at seven o’clock on Wednesday night had been estimated to start by February 25, but the happy contractors of Iceland Drilling announced that they were able to accomplish much in setting up the rig, which had all finally arrived on island, February 8. According to officials, the exploration phase of the project is estimated to last 40- 45 sixty days. The drilling exercise is aiming to go as far 5,000 feet in search of the geothermal energy.
The drill rig will send pipes and bits as far down as 5000 ft
LIME investment
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the fixed line infrastructure enabling provision of high speed internet and TV services. The decision to accelerate customer focussed efficiency investments in the Caribbean (excluding Bahamas) will increase the exceptional restructuring costs by around US$20 million to a total of US$55 million. These and other initiatives will improve the efficiency and flexibility of the business and drive cost savings in future years which is critical as market conditions in the rest of the Caribbean remain difficult, particularly in the Eastern Caribbean and Barbados. Other highlights of the release pointed out that: In Jamaica there continues to be an excellent response to the launch of competitive mobile packages which has increased the mobile subscriber base by over 40% compared to the same point last year. The Bahamas
is delivering solid progress in its financial performance together with much improved service and product offerings to its customers. Mobile data revenue grew strongly across the Group during the third quarter driven by increasing smartphone adoption and usage. At 31 December 2012, Group net debt was $1,549 million, a decrease of $39 million since 30 September 2012. About LIME LIME is the Caribbean's largest telecommunications company with a proud history in the region, and which is always working to improve life in the Caribbean. LIME delivers the very best communication services to governments, businesses and families in 13 Caribbean countries with one unifying promise - building, connecting and serving communities. LIME is part of Cable & Wireless Communications PLC, one of the world's leading communications companies.
JOKES Oldest Profession
A doctor, an engineer, and a politician were arguing as to which profession was older. "Well," argued the doctor, "without a physician mankind could not have survived, so I am sure that mine is the oldest profession." "No," said the engineer, "before life began there was complete chaos, and it took an engineer to create some semblance of order from this chaos. So engineering is older." "But," chirped the triumphant politician, "who created the chaos?"
Sweet Nothings He said - Since I first laid eyes on you, I've wanted to make love to you really badly. She said - Well, you succeeded.
Ministers Riley and Kirnon were among the officials
Minister of Communications & Works, Hon. Charles Kirnon