Source: PTV News
A meeting of all users of the Silver Hills radio communication complex on Monday, August 9 considered the extent of the disruption to local communications as a result of the moderately severe thunder storm of July 22.
The meeting was attended by Chief Minister Meade and Minister Charles Kirnon of Communications and works, who had been among a number of government officials who visited the summit on the day after a thunder storm damaged equipment operated by a number of government and private organizations, placing at risk Montserrat’s internal and external communications.
Both ministers had therefore been obviously briefed, but were evidently seeking further assurances regarding steps that could help to alleviate a similar situation in the future.
It was decided that the 13 users of the Silver Hills Complex comprising 10 government and statutory bodies, and three private organizations, would provide summaries of the damage they suffered on July 22 along with information on steps to help to secure the integrity of the vital communications services they provide.
Highest on minds of every user of the Communications complex on Monday was the state of the access road.
This had already been indicated by one of the biggest and worst affected service providers, on the day following the destructive storm.
And while it is clear that access would remain priority number one until the road can be stabilised, such stabilization will be costly. Exactly how much will be needed is still being assessed by the Ministry of Communications and Works.
In the meantime, CM Meade is seeking to ensure that the management of the communications complex is conducted is such way as to maximize benefits and improve the reliability of the center.
A standardisation committee was set up to oversee this process. Security of the complex was to be among the issues of prime concern.
Also, the relative vulnerability of the Silver Hills facility having been brought center stage by a moderate thunder storm–is now apparently set to become the focus of a prompt and deliberately coordinated effort to improve reliability and security.
Still unknown, however, is how much it will cost to stabilize the dangerous road to the summit. Evidently, when and how the funds will be provided may be even more obscure.
