Editorial – November 20, 2015 :
We have been using the word ‘ignorance’ recently, sometimes apologetically, with reference to several actions or statements made, or the lack thereof. But when these matters begin to include actions of our funders one must wonder and take it beyond lament that matters are far worse than they appear to be.
Even then, it would be reasonable for anyone to say that there is a contradiction because we have before accused our funders, overseers and managers if not directly, particularly with matters pertaining to the fallout from, and circumstances occasioning the shutdown of the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC).
We must assume that the United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID) had to be aware that it is almost ‘misappropriation’ amounting to foolishness to spend money on conducting and paying for another tourism workshop aimed at “…Sensitizing the public on the current state of the tourism sector in Montserrat and highlighting the strengths and potential of our product,” according to the Premier at the opening of the said workshop.
It may be more than ignorance and we put it down to corruption on the part of some and a continuation of spending moneys probably because there is nothing more worthwhile to spend it on. Really? We are aware that the worthless taskforce report on the MDC included statements relating to and critical of the ‘Tourism Division’ within the MDC, also paving the way, while dismissing/terminating the services of the new Tourism Director, covering for the appointment of persons on the task force to carry on.
“There were no special preparations made for the transfer and or formal orientation for either the MDC or the MTB employees. No discussion on the cross cutting issues, the interface between units, mandates, roles, responsibilities or sharing of the operational plans of the units.” Just one of the statements, this one possibly accurate, but one which definitely did not justify the ensuing actions.
There exists a report on a plan titled “Tourism Development Plan 2012 – 2022” which in the introduction states, “…Building on the successful components of the previous TDPs (Tourism Development Phase)1 & 2, the purpose of this TDP3 2013 – 2015 and 5-Year Business Plan is to: ‘clearly set out a strategy for improving the marketing and promotion of the island, development of on-island infrastructure and product, visitor facilitation and improving tourism industry standards’.”
The report continued, “it was agreed with the Board of the MTB (Montserrat Tourist Board) that the TDP should cover the period 2012 – 2022 while at the same time incorporating the TDP3 2013 –2015 and 5-year Business Plan. In formulating the strategy, extensive consultations were held with all stakeholders directly and indirectly associated with the tourism sector on Montserrat in addition to a comprehensive review of published and unpublished tourism related reports, policy papers and other documents.
“An important part of the study approach was the involvement of stakeholders in a highly participative manner so that the initiatives would be designed in such a way as to directly meet the needs of the sector and evoke its support and enthusiasm for their implementation. This was chiefly achieved through the organisation of a Tourism Planning Workshop on 30th May, 2012, under the aegis of the Montserrat Tourist Board.
“The deliberations and recommendations from this workshop formed the basis of the tourism development strategy and plans as elaborated in this report.”
There must be a reason more devious, though not surprising to anyone that persons involved in the proposing and conduct of that dishonest ‘waste of a time’ workshop was part of the facilitation and report of the 2012 workshop, if not that one, others just as heavy and was in fact a member of the task force. One thing that did not come out in the 2015 workshop, just concluded report, is the fact that there were questions as to the reason for the workshop observing its purpose was just a repeat of what was done before.
We have already noted some of the inaccuracies and misinformation that existed in that MDC task force report which we now can confirm was practically a farce. We do note that DFID, like it did before in its involvement in the membership of the MDC board and its operations, participated in that task force. But besides the foolishness and the ignorance of much that is going on, these activities and this behaviour cannot be the outcome of what Governor Carriere answering for the Premier, noted, is not an attempt at re-inventing the wheel, but rather building and improving… It is more than that, but, it is well said that ‘time is money’. Can we really afford to throw it away like this? Is this really just a continuation of business as usual? Or, is it really just ‘lacking or exhibiting a lack of good sense or judgment’?
