Editorial – January 29, 2016 :
“Prov 15: 2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge but the mouths of fools pour out folly . . .
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly . . .
22 Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed . . . .
Prov. 20: 18 Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war.” [NET]
You may find this strange and especially in today’s world where the word God and any semblance of mention close to God is taboo
Many may actually express concern or even surprise to see a reporter/journalist, certainly more so than they would a lawyer, or a ‘politician’ who begin with a reference or a quote from the Holy Bible. They may be less surprised however to learn who the reference has to do with, since it can be for a wide selection of persons, in fact everyone really, but particularly those in authority with responsibility of accountability.
Editors, who are journalists in whatever field, must be concerned about ‘truth’, some discernment; and it is from that perspective the challenges come even for those who preach it. Yet it is to that they must aspire. Their work comes from there. Did you ever note who the first journalists were?
The quote was noted in last week’s De Ole Dawg’s contribution, ‘Roots of Growth’ speaking to the state of ‘economics’ in Montserrat. Almost suddenly that word ‘economy’ may just be catching the attention of some who realise the importance of it although not recognizing how they got there.
In Her Excellency’s Christmas message she was sure to emphasise in her first 2016 press conference her concerns, highlighting one might say the areas in her message where all the good things that were said did not address the impoverished economic situation that we have been facing. But by expressing her disagreement with the doom and gloom she did the right thing of expressing hope with some confidence of change to come.
The Premier in his Christmas message, “HMG and especially the Department for International Development, have committed to working with our government to formulate and carry out a 15 to 20 year plan, (That started in 2008, then 2011/12) that will not just provide short term employment, but will place Montserrat in a better position to be self-sustainable and independent of UK Aid. Sustainable? True it did say ‘self…’ That can hardly if at all, bring progress and growth. That was the word used when HMG was still uncertain about stepping forward. Please grow up.
But he was happy to say what he should have known already, coming from the new UK Minister: “Your Government needs to quickly put in place a clear strategy, improved policy capability and an economic business plan to begin to address the many issues that you are grappling with including job creation, access, tourism, housing, health and engaging the Diaspora. (This was known since October 2014) The Minister probably didn’t but of course his public servants knew. Their strategy is continuous, something hopefully we have come to grips with.)
I am even more convinced that good governance, transparency and accountability, will be key ingredients in the recipe for growth in Montserrat.
Her Excellency did speak with caution. “It is clear that Montserrat needs to concentrate on getting our economy moving again.” It is in the concentration that the problem lies. It is in the following the gloom is. “If we work together now to prepare, (The preparation was begun and as they promised it may need improvement, not a new beginning) these will create jobs, training and experience, and propel the economy toward a path to self-sufficiency. In the New Year, with your input, we will build a concrete strategy towards achieving this. We will engage in a new agreement with the UK Government which involves putting Montserratians in the driving seat for these new developments and links them with improved social services, better governance (including stimulating private sector engagement and partnerships).”
What new agreement? That has been firmly there. The Minister reminded that. If that is a serious statement, we have already failed. This is stalling, an excuse, or maybe we should say someone is stalling. The Minister’s remind says it is not on that side. But if it is, it is not without reason, and if the reason is unknown what is being taught in the Proverbs verses is ever present.
The task ahead then is what is known and being observed. On the one hand, Her Excellency at her first press conference would have noted that the #1 problem was not lost to the media. If the mistake is made to leave this in the bosoms of the perpetrators of the problems, know ye that it will come to naught and the figures will begin with a negative sign. For if you do not move forward, you have in fact gone backward.
Please note, “…with your input…” The UK Government for 16 years has said, ‘we will not tell you…you tell us, and you justify.’ This really, in Montserrat’s case has been so easy, but the ATTITUDE with which it is all done has been the killer. No, it has not been for want of workshops and training; but maybe the experience that goes with it has been so warped with wrong ATTITUDE and even culture, the failure remains constant. There is just not enough goodness if any. Selfishness (and greed) is the root of corruption and some are even blind to it because of their “ATTITUDE”. In that attitude is a huge required acknowledgement, then the clean-up can begin,
The idea that there are many who will continue to get ‘a’ salary no matter what, has to be addressed. This applies to the private sector operatives as well who will always get the contracts, and the revenue they need to, in some cases keep them going, never knowing that it can be better for them and the country.
