Editorial – December 13, 2013
In Montserrat there are those who repeatedly hear that the British Government (or some of them who matter most at least) like Montserrat’s Premier. One of their top officials has been heard to say, in camera: “I like him, I like what he says.” This was some time ago, following the Premier’s remarks regarding the collection of income tax.
Who wouldn’t like someone, who choose their criticisms carefully, who readily finds excuses that cover the lack of real and honest progress for his government and those who like them?
Montserrat can hardly be interested, in whether the UK likes our officials or not. Who should care when nothing beneficial is derived from promises and plans? It is becoming difficult to disagree with those who say that this is exactly how the HMG wants it to be. Their love as described makes it easier for us to accept anything they agree or disagree with. It is the island and the people that suffer when ‘sucking-up’ aids ‘corrupt’ behaviour. Then those who try to suggest it, or expose it, are not only ignored but singled out, then the island suffers even further. Everyone else now ignores the denseness. This provides for a different system of governance. There are those who are cognizant and intelligent enough to make the contrast. It all makes for great anticipation of the book that has a title of something like, “Seven Chief Ministers.”
We have said it before! It would be difficult to tell the world that HMG has ignored Montserrat, even when they admitted they did not know how to address the problems that developed during the early part of the crisis. HMG told the Bertrand Osborne government that included our Premier, that they will not entertain any CARICOM’s experts on Montserrat’s team to discuss going forward in the crisis. They had also loved the Chief Minister then. To exasperate that situation, government further refused to accept CARICOM’s other offer of assistance to come up with projects and proposals.
Ask anyone in Montserrat, ‘what is the state of the economy?’ If the answer is anything more than remarks such as this, ‘it is the worst it has been’, it will come from the quarters that are benefiting like the cronies, well known.
In this newspaper issue, please find the article, which is part of a report on Montserrat titled: ‘Progress made on the commitments in the 2012 Joint Ministerial Council communiqué’. This comes out of the Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council meeting just concluded in the UK, which Premier Meade attended.
The report speaks to Jobs and Growth; The Environment and Green Growth; Support from International Organisations.
It is not clear that all of these up to now that these may never become realities or will not see any deliverables before 2016, the date touted recently by the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) to a gathering of at least 95% expats from, the majority of whom are either visiting or part time residents. The question is, what about 2012-13-14-15. These are hopes and the people know or understand little of it all. Of course, for HMG’s interest, Montserrat is working “closely with Her Majesty’s Government and in particular, the Department of International Development,” who love our leader, while life, progress goes nowhere, and democracy loses life, with the sustenance they provide. A new power plant with a date set for completion four (4) years since the money is approved; geothermal bungled drilling phase that has people wringing their hands for a successful outcome? Rolling back fairness with standard procurement rules; seeking to prevent victims of unfair practices from fair recourse?
It is sad to note that this was the first time that the new CEO has made the effort to speak to a group of people in Montserrat to talk about the Corporation’s hopes and plans for the realization of growth in Montserrat. This only came about because of the invitation of Mrs. Sujue Davis to a private and informative usual Coffee Morning, which she hosts often, at least once a month, the third in four weeks. The MDC, and in turn the government is doing a woeful job at selling or energizing residents and the people of Montserrat.
The CEO, Ivan Browne told the audience that his presentation with his top aides, Governor and DFID’s Dr. Kimbugwe, was similar to that which he just recently presented in London. (See – Montserrat team promotes development plans at UK Investment Summit – TMR Nov 29, 2013.
One comment so far on thzt report says: “It is a reflection of the last budget statement and the unorthodox, uncertain, ineffective and non-visionary development plans and actions of the current administration.”
We sincerely hope that when the result of geothermal exploration is officially revealed, it will not be a disappointment, with just a late plan of how to undo or fix the wrongs and mistakes of a year and a half. What with the delays in the result of testing that were guaranteed for end of October, mid-December and now mid-January?
