One of the things the H E Andrew Pearce said in his swearing-in speech: “A modern, motivated and efficient public service is a cornerstone and driver of a thriving economy and business environment in Montserrat. The two are indivisible.” He said this which was immediately following this – “…in my role as the Head of the Public Service, I will give this work the same support and priority that she (Governor Carriere) did.”
Governor Carriere did not stress that part about the public service being the corner stone and driver of a thriving economy. The point is, Governor Pearce will have to be more diligent and must remind those carrying out the ‘Reform Project’ which DFID reportedly has refused to fund, showing their own ignorance or refusal to acknowledge, how important that discussion is.
One of Governor Carriere’s failures/disappointment was her expressed desire to, “turn the corner from recovery to success on its road to self-sufficiency?”
In her opening speech she spoke to Montserrat being, “Poised as it is, to grow economically again,” while noting, “there are barriers and setbacks to Montserrat’s growth that need to be addressed realistically.” On her departure she did not mention this except that it was among her disappointments.
Governor Pearce in his speech said: “I know that the Honourable Premier, Deputy Governor and all members of our Cabinet and Government also work unstintingly to deliver the best future for Montserrat.” Perhaps the Governor will tell how he knows this because, there are a few things he will need then to know as that may well be far away from fact.
One thing this Governor may be well positioned to do is assist this Government in moving beyond the state he finds it to be at, that is nothing yet in action to a ‘thriving economy’ to get it to ‘self-sufficiency’.
But yes, it was! It began in 2007-8, got on the way 2012, but something happened on the way from there. Today HMG/DFID has practically reversed, not just stalled. There are reasons and circumstances of action and inaction. One of these turns out to be the lack of understanding of what he declared about the public service being the cornerstone and driver of a thriving economy, etc., not just among our public service (and private sector) but the ‘public servants’ at DFID.
To move from that dead spot, there needs urgently an investigation as to how that happened. We can offer some pointers, but that investigation is crucial or Montserrat will continue to ‘spin top in mud.’ The top is there however, but it is what (the facts) makes it that needs to be examined, and correction put in action.
The corruption of power, greed and stupidity or just maybe it’s just ignorance need to be urgently addressed, even though it may not be that simple. It’s not too late. The Premier will have to see it is not Godliness in his seat, that someone will claim hurt when chastised for their lack of integrity; understanding that the people he so wants to serve suffer from his inactions. He should not fail to point out the real reason that moneys from the $30 million that may not get spent by March 30 this year, is due to the firing of Gomersal.
He should call out those people who continue to benefit while leaving him the burden of their election debts, along with those responsible to see that the Premier’s office the epicenter of action for the country gets the best staff available to handle the business of the country.
The Minister of Health will no longer make her claims about the Hospital as she continued to do publicly, just as we recall them from their first budget presentation in 2015. (see: A new Hospital to break ground in six – nine months- Posted on 25 September 2015. (Minister – “But there was no approved project in August last year”)
Very importantly is something Governor Davis said in his goodbye’s here, referring to his role as governor – HMG and GOM, “…that boiled down to being a critical but supportive friend who is willing to tell the truth to both sides and to try and iron out any misunderstandings…”
The DFID-Montserrat representative here should be made to give Montserrat that understanding. So too the Hon Financial Secretary.
The Queen’s elected Montserrat opposition members (and all the aspirers) should know that this is their responsibility also.
