Editorial – May 2, 2014 :
Last week we tried in rather, perhaps a limited way the difficulties our single-minded leadership face in finding ‘good and proper’ investors, acceptable to the UK Government (UKG) and the people of Montserrat (so described rather than GoM (the Government of Montserrat).
Let us recognize those difficulties in light of the fact that while UKG gave their commitment of support with our Strategic Growth Plan (SGP) they cautioned that they didn’t think we were ‘going down the right road’. Eventually UKG withdrew from the Carrs Bay port, according to them, because GoM could produce little more than those things they simply had to go to Cabinet and agree to, all included in the so-called reforms.
When Alan Duncan vowed to put things right in Montserrat because nowhere else in the world experienced what the island did, while warning they did not have a bottomless purse, he said, “Look at what we are doing for to St. Helena where they are spending some Four hundred (400) million pounds, i.e.today $US672 or EC$1.814.4 billion. For those who say the UKG can do more, ”what is a port?” Get the facts, the UK has offered. They did say with economic justification and reasonableness. Since then they continue to offer to pay for technical expertise, to build capacity, and more.
How have GoM progressed? This forces us to ask some questions regarding those things the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) – Government) clearly unverified statements supplied to DFID a year ago for a Final Review of Montserrat’s Strategic Growth Plan, 15-21 May 2013 – Investments for Growth.
1.MDC and GoM are in advanced discussions with a Dubai-based consortium interested in development of the resort hotel at Little Bay and the villas on Potato Hill. (The Premier in his only press conference since this shockingly reported that these folks were not interested in a developed airport but. “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,” he told the press. (See: http://www.themontserratreporter.com/premier-returns-from-dubai-brussels-and-uk-upbeat/) He had reported that there were elements in the Dubai letter of intent which were matters for Cabinet. Could the element be what Ivan Browne referred to about economic citizenship. No official report on this matter to date, except that MDC/GoM are in Dubai again.
2. MDC is in advanced discussions with a US-based investment management company (Brilla Group) – They have expressed interest in working with MDC to identify suitable investors for the Little Bay hotel, villas and part of the new town. MDC is providing land and financial information prior to Brilla representatives visiting Montserrat in June 2013.
3. Detailed discussions are underway with UIG, a potential investor in the port, marina and some of the waterfront town properties. UIG plan to visit Montserrat during late-May 2013 for detailed discussions. These are likely to involve a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement. Another developer has expressed interest in investment in the port. They visited Montserrat in Oct 2012 for preliminary discussions and have recently confirmed their continuing interest.
4. A small consortium comprising architects and investors is working on detailed design for a bio-diversity hotel and environmental centre on Davy Hill, comprising research and accommodation facilities.
5. A small hotel company has expressed preliminary interest in a guesthouse at the western end of Davy Hill.
So what is the story to date with all these – was any of this truth?
Whatever has happened to the Tourism Development Plan report and recommendations for 2012 – 2022. It spoke to: Expand and Diversity the Tourism Product; increase the stock of accommodation; improve the excursionist product offer; competitive incentives to attract residential (villa).
Market; among many others. Speaks to Garibaldi Hill, Isles Bay Hill, Old Towne, Vue Pointe Hotel, Olveston, Woodlands, golf course, and all supporting developments; proven to provide nearly or more 30% of our GDP.
These are highlighted because these would create jobs immediately, with very little investment.
Some more – develop the yachting product – moorings, facilities – develop golf, with associated real estate (villas) − hiking trail maintenance and updated guide.
Yes, scrap the new master plan, develop the 5-star resort in Rendezvous, and begin the future of Montserrat, while getting jobs underway. The previous plan modified was never considered as ambitious, and the mistakes are before us. The town centre can begin from back of Murphy (North Davy Hill, pushing the road onto a bit of Pipers Pond, preserve it. Nature had provided that already. Messing around with the biodiversity of the island is bad business, discouraging funders and investors.
Cruise ship port – when GoM refused the reported Disney offer, what was the reason to then turn around and do this? As we understand it, the initial offer was at no cost to Montserrat.
GoM, listen to those whose interested in the progress and success for the people Montserrat, that was the promise of the SDP 2008 – 2020.
