Editorial – January 17, 2014 :
We have deliberately not asked any official questions, but have made enquiries concerning the over delayed report on the geothermal development project, promised by the middle of January, 2014.
What is difficult is the message that had promulgated into the minds of residents as to what it would mean to Montserrat if geothermal exploration is successful. Success most know is not merely finding geothermal source/s, but quality and power.
We recall that initially a report was due at the end of October, and expected, because drilling had reportedly been completed as planned. That was postponed to around Christmas. It must be at that time there was some measure of confidence that the news would be good.
When the reports were not forthcoming but rather postponed, all the suspicions about the drilling kept jumping out at everyone with interest in a positive or a great outcome. Even when it looked bad the doubts always leaned on the side of positivity.
It is only two days past the middle of the month and having heard nothing, we believe the beginning of the new week, might change things.
We know geothermal has been found, and from the bleeded report, Well #1 is yielding an unconfirmed two megawatts. And, it is believed that Well #2 was yielding more. How much more? That is one of the answers now nervously awaited.
With that however, the silence and delays leave one thought, the worry of not so much how to break the news, but with what confidence, what plan, the way forward. Obviously not so simple! How do will the people, and how will the problems mistakes (if any!) experienced, be explained in the face of the knowledge that exists?
Right now, a suggestion is to change and get holistic, know that the expertise needed exists right here.
It is election year and some politicians/legislators and would be politicians/legislators will have to change, for Montserrat to get a good Government and not the government it probably deserves. Some have said in the recent past, “I will not change,” but those who heard that and did nothing, better change, or they will be changed.
The silence from MDC is promoting deception and stifling possible progress
There is so much steeped deception, that ugly looks good. There are those who have become mindless to the point of not knowing the difference. Becoming numb and blind and not understanding the culture must change.
The Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) must try to carry out their mandate in a conscientious way, with one thing in mind, success, growth and progress for Montserrat. They are being paid and as long as selfishness and corruption, all the same are not allowed thrive, the mistakes and the misdirections and misguided perceptions will cease.
The MDC must do much better in their efforts to inform locally their mandate put in place the machinery with clarity to first educate people about enterprise and delivery. The Business Case to which the British Government would have contributed nearly $15 million by June this year must yield justification.
What have they done after 19 months and what do they have to show in this regard. One statement read: “There are no effective institutional or policy measures to improve the climate for trade and investment promotion or to provide business development services to local enterprises. In short, investment has the potential to significantly improve Montserrat’s terms of trade.”
Rushing to close businesses at Little Bay need more transparency and understanding than being passed on. Better must be done.
