DFID Deputy Director reminds the need for efficienc
by B Roach
Ian McKendry, Deputy Director of the UK Department for International Development
Ian McKendry, Deputy Director of the UK Department for International Development (DFID), made his first visit to Montserrat between, October 12 – 14, 2011. He announced at a press conference during his final hour on the island, held at the Governor’s office, that his visit is, “a familiarisation one.”
In his opening remarks he revealed that he worked in London and that he has “seen a lot of this stuff and done a lot of work in the UK on the issues that are about to go through…”
“It’s one thing to do this on paper its quite another thing to actually come here and see Montserrat first hand…” he said.
He stated at the outset of his remarks that his visit was fitting and “in the context of Secretary of State’s (Andrew Mitchell) visit earlier in the year…”
He reminded that and in that visit, “he spoke about kind of bargain really to the struck here.”
He continued: “On the one hand the hope is that government of Montserrat can come forward with some reforms for an enabling environment for the future of Montserrat…fitting to some of the potential plans; and that in addition to that there might be some expenditure in revenue measures, some efficiency…”
He later referred to the fact that there was agreement to revise the road map and that “the process is currently under, way with an expectation that a draft revised road map will be put to DFID by the end of this month (October) and also we’ll get a draft set of reforms that will be linked to some of the strategies, investment areas…”
He stressed that HMG was prepared to work with Montserrat moving forward, but basically pointed out that there were conditions. “…the government of Montserrat can come forth (with cost expenditure measures, efficiency etc.) …if that happens and HMG is satisfied this is going ahead in that way then DFID, our Secretary of State Is prepared to consider some investments and some new ways of doing things and those investments of course do need to be justified; so that’s the bargain,” he said.
His introductory remarks may have been brief, though firm, but he then answered questions from the local media on ranging topics. He noted with relation to the ferry that there was a permanent ferry since last December providing a four day service; that service is going to continue all the way through. “DFID has provided government of Montserrat with a subsidy that is going to take them all the way till the end of the financial year which is the 31st of March of the next year.”
The deputy director spent time stressing the theme that highlights the HMG ‘new’ policy in dealing with Montserrat. “…however, just like anything else we have to provide value … in ensuring that before you make that investment in some of the proposals put forward they have to be economically justified.” He was at that point referring to ferry proposals that have been put forward by the ‘access coordinator’, advising that some decisions would be made within the next month or so.
