Governor Peter Waterworth
When Governor Andrew Peter Waterworth arrived in Montserrat, he immediately established his presence, and seemed assured that he would at least keep abreast with the people, keeping them informed through a constant relationship with the media.
His utterances were impressive, maybe too impressive and were viewed with skepticism. In Less than a month after his arrival we wrote in an Editorial: “His Excellency may have been well briefed, in contrast to how we must now be brief. So as we welcome him again, we sincerely hope that he does not disappoint at all. If all there is any deception we pray it dissipates very quickly and replaced with sincerity.”
We were not given the opportunity to ask him to rate himself after that caution before he left. However he organized it, he afforded himself the nice questions that helped him to show up his disappointment in his own performance while governing this island.
In that same Editorial, we spoke directly to him as he made reference in his first address to Montserrat. We said to him: and asked him to remember that no one was suggesting that his address lacked merit. He had spoken about change and continuity. Then we asked him to also look at change in the way the “continuity of ministerial interest from Britain is delivered. We look for tangibility in the partnership we have heard about for a long time now.”
We offered our support: “It is that which we will support, understanding that it will not necessarily be the popular actions that will bring best results.”
In that address the Governor talked about ‘niceties’ of constitutional debate and reminded of the more immediate needs such as housing and food; and the other services of living. He went on to say, “Government today is about meeting those expectations, efficiently and economically.”
He directed his next comment to the media. “That is your and my obligation to Montserrat.” He had challenged the media to keep him and government accountable.
So we ask, why did the press conferences stop and to the point that he did not speak with some media houses, to be exact the independent media houses.
In the coming weeks we will seek to establish that he failed to deliver on any of the utterances he made. Anyone listening to his broadcast or his sweetheart discussion on ZJB will remember how he lamented his disappointments and was upbeat that finally HMG whom he is supposed to represent is taking a new look at their responsibility towards Montserrat.
Montserrat according to him should have been better off at the end of his tour of duty here, we would like to know how he would rate himself. Unfortunately for him his Deputy could only think of the failed performance of the Public Service Reform to credit him with. We call on her to tell us of the successes of the Unit so we show him with the accolades he may deserve.
