Editorial – October 9, 2015 :
We have stated few times already the fact that the current government came into power with little or no political experience, least in governance, that is managing a government. But there is no excuse that they were cajoled by the people on the one hand, and on the other by a government that failed in doing no more than creating ‘another’ Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) and a Strategic Development Plan (SGP) that had practically no consultation with the people. That SDP was dated from 2008 – 2020.
This was not discussed publicly or presented anywhere prior to or after in any forum. neither to any extent except right here in brief terms. It would not be surprising however for anyone to realise that Montserratians and residents were prepared to be patient, to the surprise perhaps of a group that rallied behind the only person who they could successfully present as a leader to arrive, maybe unexpectedly powerfully at the helm with a 7-2 representation forming the government.
That’s the reason there was little concern but annoyance at the grave distraction created by rumours of coup and overthrow, and in some cases of the stupidity, selfishness, and greed that have plagued our politics far too frequently. So the problem that instead of coming with all clean hands, there is instead ignorance, the inexperience and all the ills that left no time for moving forward by researching and understanding what was just sitting there waiting for an awful explosion, whichever way you can think.
Consider that the former Premier had proposed early in 2011 and got HMG (UK Govt) to go ahead with him and the OTs. He advanced: “We continue to anticipate a level of strategic investments encouraged and facilitated by the UK government, particularly given our understanding on the development of our Little Bay Town Centre. We would welcome agreement in a range of areas, including our port development, health services infrastructure, energy and housing.”
He told HMG, “On the services side, I would suggest that it would be helpful if Montserrat were to table its commitments in the WTO context to cover market access in services so as to reduce any local perception of political interference in the capture of international or UK investment in Montserrat as a potentially lucrative tourism destination. We also would wish to be transparent in the other services areas where we have comparative advantage. Our priority sectors are: Financial Services; ICT & E-commerce; Energy Services; Tourism Services; Professional Services; Education Services; Health and Wellness services; Recreational, Cultural and Sporting services.”
HMG found favour and we know the eventual SGP and the infamous MOU (May 2012). But where is all of that today? Have we really been told what has gone wrong? Or do we know what went wrong? Look back at the little brief above and figure it out! Is it important that we know what went wrong? Is there a behaviour like it is 1998, 2008 or will we wait until 2018?
Much work went into arriving at the position which began long before 2011. The point is, stop wasting time, stalling, reinventing the wheel. This government needs to get out of the stupor and the shock which added to those things mentioned that are causing a kind of inaction. It is time to admit and own up to the findings.
How lucky can they get? There is behavior like when a criminal wants to get caught! It is no ploy that members of the former administration keep raising matters that only remind the public of their failures and wrongdoings. In 2011 the broad objectives in a Montserrat-UK agreement on strategic investment, particularly in services include increased investment in Montserrat; financial, tourism & other services; increased market access for Montserrat services suppliers in the UK market; and Enhanced competitiveness of Montserrat services and products.
There are, have been, so many things wrong, to be compounded by more wrong including more of the same as well as the refusal to expose the wrongs.
What is the way forward? An understanding and appreciation of the challenges, that unlike many other OTs and islands Montserrat depends on its benefactors and mother country, EU primarily. That the money raised by Montserrat evolves from the finances we receive from those very sources. Honesty and integrity and a desire for good governance to include all the people Montserrat, friends and residents; and we are supposed to think OECS, CARICOM, vital to the country’s progress and development.
