the montserrat reporter- august 17 2012

Friday, August 17, 2012 g

Price $2.00Vol. XXVII No. 19 Week Ending Friday, August 17, 2012

T h e p s a l m i s t wrote, “I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” - Psa lm 139 :14 (NRSV)

www.themontserratreporter.com

Inaugural OECS Assembly

seals Regional Integration

CAPE Results...pg 3

Miss Montserrat comes home...pg 10

Kids’ Korner...pg 8MCSA seeks extension...pg 9

Columbian Expo continues...pg 2

New lockers for fishermen...pg 7

More Headlines...

cont’d. on page 3

cont’d. on page 5

The Montserrat Reporter’s Editor Bennette Roach exited the Governor’s last press conference right after the Governor made his opening statements, having asked the Governor why MNIAlive Jeevan Robinson was refused par-ticipation in the press conference

using the Skype technology. Roach has attended all of

the Governor Davis’ monthly press conferences, as he did on July 18, 2012. However, he exited the press conference after the Gover-nor said that he was only advised about Robinson’s participation

just that morning. He told the Governo, “I understand that you had turned down this request, and I would like for you to tell me why this is so, why Jeevan Robinson could not join us as if

Roach walks away from Governor’s

press conference

Concluding the inaugural ses-sion of the OECS Assembly marked another historical and important milestone for the Organisation of the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). This milestone included such highlights as the inspection of the Guard of Honour, the election of the fi rst Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the OECS Assembly, with statements and addresses from Host Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda, Chairman of the OECS Prime Min-ister Hon Ralph Gonsalves of

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon. Reuben Meade, Premier of Montserrat on behalf of the Non Independent Member States and Mark Brantley, St. Kitts-Nevis of the Political Opposition in the OECS.

The nine-member Organisa-tion of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) then launched its latest political initiative as a major step forwards its efforts to fully

establish an Economic Union and deepen its sub-regional integration movement.

St. Vincent and the Grena-dines national, Hon. Rene Baptiste was elected the Assembly’s fi rst Speaker. While lauding the historic

occasion, she immediately sounded the horn that there is work to be done. “Today we in the OECS have certainly made history,” she said. “We have serious work to do as these are serious times. Time is

Friday, August 17, 2012

An adaptation from Ellsworth I. A. John, OECS Commis-sioner for St Vincent and the Grenadines

Thirty-nine parliamentarians from throughout the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) were scheduled to as-semble in Antigua and Barbuda on Friday, August 10, 2012, for the inaugural meeting of the OECS Assembly, a new institution fash-ioned under the Revised Treaty of Basseterre Establishing the OECS Economic Union, which came into force in January, 2011.

This inaugural meeting of the OECS Assembly marked the achievement of yet another benchmark, as the OECS con-tinues on its march to realise its objective of creating an ef-fective economic union, which promises growth and economic development for its members and associate members.

Antigua and Barbuda, Domi-nica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines are full members of the OECS. Anguil-la and the British Virgin Islands are associate members. This issue in terms of full membership still seems not clear even to many as Prime Minister in his address to the Assembly referred only to the sovereign states and include Montserrat in the others.

The OECS Assembly joins the OECS Commission as two new institutional arrangements designed to improve the gover-nance arrangements in the OECS. By July 2011, the Commission, which is comprised of one com-missioner from each member state party to the protocol plus the Director General, began op-erating.

One writer agrees, “There

INAUGURAL OECS ASSEMBLY IN ANTIGUA-BARBUDA MARCHES THE OECS ON

COLUMBIAN EXPO CONTINUES IN FULL SWING

is already evidence after one year of operation, that both the secretariat of the commission and the member states are implement-ing mandates at a higher level of effi ciency.”

He says this is evidenced by the coming into force of the free movement of persons in August 2011 and methodical approach being taken to monitor and evaluate the gains of the economic union with involvement by the critical stakeholders in the member states.

Article 5.3 of the Revised Treaty mandates the independent member states to enact legisla-tion that delegate to the OECS the authority to legislate in its area of competence with the intention that the acts, regulation and or-ders have direct effect in the laws of the member states. In effect, once the Revised Treaty was passed into the domestic law in the member states, the OECS had

areas that were binding on the member states. This process can now begin with the establishment of the OECS Assembly.

The OECS Assembly, which is required to have among its members all of the prime minis-ters and leaders of the opposition, acts as a fi lter for all legislation passed by the OECS Authority. Persons have questioned whether the OECS Assembly has any real clout, given that the legislation is

passed at the level of the prime ministers through the OECS Authority. The simple answer is yes. The substantive debate on proposed legislations will take place in the OECS Assembly and it is the place for the voice of the people of the OECS to be heard through their representatives.

The areas of legislative competence of the Organization are restricted to custom union, monetary policy, trade policy,

maritime jurisdiction, common commercial policy, immigration policy and environmental policy. These are all areas where a col-laborative approach can lead to signifi cant changes in the well being of the citizens of the OECS and it is therefore important that we remain engaged through our elected representatives in the work done through this legislative process.

Open Now from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, every day even Sundays

the authority to pass laws in specified

Jovani Martinez from Venezuela is the second in command of the ‘Expo Home TV’ currently underway at the St. Patrick’s Co-operative Union building hall, Brades. He told The

cont’d. on page 3

Montserrat Reporter video team, “I’m happy to be here in your island, this is a wonderful island…all the people coming from , we are very happy to


LEGAL NOTICEIN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

PROBATE DIVISIONIn the Estate of CHARLES JOSEPH DYETT, deceased

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice, an application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of CHARLES JOSEPH DYETT who died on the 31st day of August, 2011 be granted to JENNIFER STEPHANIE BLAKE, one of the persons entitled to share in the estate of the deceased.

ALL persons claiming to be benefi cially interested in the estate are requested to send written particulars thereof to the undersigned within 14 days from the date of this Notice.

ANY person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court not later than 14 days from the date of this Notice.

Dated this 15th day of August, 2012

BRANDT & ASSOCIATESAttorneys-at-Law

LEGAL NOTICEIN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

PROBATE DIVISIONIn the Estate of PRISCILLA FENTON neé KIRNON, deceased

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice, an application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of PRISCILLA FENTON neé KIRNON who died on the 22nd day of December, 1991 be granted to MECHOL TRIMINGHAM neé TUITT one of the persons entitled to share in the estate of the deceased.

ALL persons claiming to be benefi cially interested in the estate are requested to send written particulars thereof to the undersigned within 14 days from the date of this Notice.

ANY person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court not later than 14 days from the date of this Notice.

Dated this 10th day of August, 2012

BRANDT & ASSOCIATESAttorneys-at-Law

Seventeen-year-old Kadine Cabey is the Montserrat Com-munity College (MCC), this year’s top student. The second year student was the only student to pass all fi ve Caribbean Advanced Profi ciency Examination (CAPE) Units she sat in the June 2012 examination.

According to a Press Re-lease from the MCC, Annuouskha Adams, Nish Brown, Oswen Carty, Jhovan Daniel, Krysten Gerald, TiVonne Howe, Amuelle Kirnon, Liska Peters, and Ruian Zhu all obtained passes in four subjects with another 13 students, obtain-ing passes in three CAPE Units.

The Montserrat Community College also reported a 79.4 per cent pass rate in their CAPE, a 4.3 percent increase from last year.

MCC recorded 108 subject passes from 136 entries, achiev-ing pass rate of 79.4%, just up from last year’s pass rate of 73%.

COLUMBIAN EXPO

MCC 2012 CAPE RESULTShe was here sitting with us

at the table through Skype…”The Governor responded: “…

You said you were discussing with the governor’s offi ce, the fi rst I’ve heard of it was this morning so I was not prepared to agree to it on that short notice,” adding, “I have subsequently been in touch with Jeevan Robinson. I’ve offered him a one to one interview which he has accepted… The issue was the notice that was given not the principle.”

Roach expressed surprise that the Governor said he had only heard about the request that morning. Roach told the Governor that he had attempted to clear the matter with him through his press secretary, who had told him

the Governor had said he wished only to deal with the ‘local’ press corps. He told the Governor, “I do not know what is there about the principle, I do not know what is there about the notice…I’m very disappointed in someone who treats and welcomes technology that we could not have this done this morning.”

He continued stating that he sees that there is an attempt to interfere with how the media functions, “I become very touchy when members of our media are interfered with…and as far as I’m concerned at this press confer-ence, I do not wish to take any further part in it.”

He announced his exit after the Governor said, “I have nothing to add to what I said before.”

The Governor had also said that he had offered subsequently an invitation to Robinson which he accepted. “I have subsequently been in touch with Jeevan Rob-inson, I’ve offered him a one to one interview which he has ac-cepted…” the Governor said.

Roach pointed out that this was not so as Robinson respond-ing to the offer, had said in an email immediately following the exchange with the Governor (he had been listening on skype as was noted to the Governor); “Just to clarify, my statement in my email is that MNI Alive will 'revert' on the matter of an interview. I heard you state in the Press Con-ference that we have accepted the offer of an interview. We have not yet done so…”

Students registered to write 16 CAPE Units for a total of 144 subject entries but with four candidates reporting absent, these results are based on 136 subject entries. A total 42 full-time candidates and 13 part-time students sat examines this year. This was an increase from the 35 students who registered for 107 subject entries in 18 CAPE Units last year

Th is year the Co l lege achieved 100% pass rate in nine subjects compared to six subjects last year. These were: Chemistry Unit 1, Caribbean Studies, Com-munication Studies, Computer Science Unit 1, Information Tech-nology Unit 2, Environmental Sci-ence Unit 1, Law Units 1 and 2, and Physics Unit 1. Though the entries in Environmental Science Unit 1, Law Units 1 and 2, and Computer Science Unit 2 were small, these courses were tutored privately and the College merely

facilitated registration. Pass rates above 80% were

obtained in Biology Unit 2, En-vironmental Science Unit 2, In-formation Technology Unit1 and Management of Business Unit 2.

The report stated “It must be noted that the pass rate for Physics improved outstandingly to 100% from last year’s 33%, and the efforts of Montserrat’s Physicist, Dr. Samuel Joseph must be applauded.”

The Release also revealed low pass rates in Applied Math-ematics Unit 1 with 2 passes out of 11entries an (18%) pass rate and Pure Mathematics Unit 1 with 2 passes out of 14 en-tries (14%). According to the report the low pass rates were projected. “These low results in Mathematics, signals this area as one that the College is obliged to give special attention in the new school year,” Principal Paul Payne commented.

REPORTER WALKS OUT

stay a few days working for all of you.”

Martinez was deputiz-ing for Esban S. Bentii and boasted about the products they have on show. “we have wonderful products, the people are coming, the doors open just now so everybody could come and check.” He described a few of the products:

“We have kitchen uten-sils, we have the magic frying pan, it’s a wonderful for one to start cooking healthy; we also have the steamer, it is a wonderful product to make life a little more easier; all these kind of product you use to do cleaning out the kitchen, the bathroom all around the house, you can do it easier and simpler… we also have this kind of body shape for the

ladies to make them look good. You know and feel good also when you feel good and you look good.”

Emphasising again how much they are enjoying the island, he said, “they are very peaceful I love this island I will like to stay a few days more,” he concluded, “don’t wait or don’t let anybody to tell you

what is going on here in the Expo. It’s a wonderful show you can check every product we have around here, you can see it’s good and good to make the life a little more easier.”

The show is expected to continue through August 21 and according to Martinez, they will extend if it is needed or possible.

cont’d. from page 2



Always ThereThe psalmist wrote , “ I

praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” - Psalm 139:14 (NRSV)

Compared to many in my new school, I was from “the wrong side of town.” I had to catch two buses to attend school, while many of my classmates arrived in luxury cars. Being on time or staying for extra activities was difficult for me if one of the buses was late. Making friends was a struggle. I felt that I was judged to be not good enough when some girls discovered where I lived, what my father did for a living, or that my mother had no career outside the home. I began to pray that God would give me a friend. In time, God did give me a new friend and later a whole group of friends.

Neither my parents nor my brother were able to finish their schooling, but they sacrificed to give me an opportunity to complete my education. Eventually, I qualified as a teacher and later as a minister. The key to my achievements was discovering that God not only listens to our prayers but accepts all of us — even me.

I am glad that God does not value us according to where we live, how educated we may or may not be, or our material wealth. God simply loves us and longs to be in loving relationship with us.

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your interest in each of us, regardless of who we are or where we come from. Amen.

Our Scripture Verse TodayOur Scripture Verse Today

Letters/Opinion

Published by: Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - Editor: Bennette Roach - Offi ce: Davy Hill, Mailing Address: P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, Montserrat, W.I.Typeset and Printed by Montserrat Printing & Publishing, Inc. - [email protected]. (664) 491-4715 Fax: (664) 491-2430 E-mail: [email protected] or [email protected] - Web Site: http://www.themontserratreporter.com

The Montserrat Reporter

E D I T O R I A L

The OECS Inauguration Assembly was hailed by its leaders, in particular as a milestone marking the achievement of yet another benchmark, as the OECS continues on its march to realise its objective of creating an effective economic union, which promises growth and economic development for its members and associate members. Its two new institutional arrangements are said to be designed to improve the governance arrangements in the OECS.

Those who are familiar with the workings and designs and involved with the processes would most likely have no diffi culty understand-ing even if they do not agree totally. If there is any chance that that could be true, it tells that there are problems as the OECS integration moves forward.

The media on all sides are expected to at least understand and to seek to ensure that the people they represent understand. But the initial responsibility is certainly not theirs. If members of the public show up after the inauguration ceremony and ask near the steps of the Antigua and Barbuda parliament building, “what is it they had here today?”, there is little doubt that nine territories, certainly seven of them are missing the mark in a bad way.

Surely, if this inauguration took place in St. John’s, Antigua, and passers-by react that way, one wonders how many people in the other states would not even have heard or known that the event has occurred, or then even care.

But the OECS Secretariat says that the management there is aware of the potential shortcomings in that area, while at the same time tells journalists and reporters that they are depending also on the various Commissions in the member States to take the lead. They should be as knowledgeable about the conduct and joys that abound at the Sec-retariat about the successes of the Integration Movement.

The Secretary General and other heads would like the people to know that the treaty protocol details a strategic plan to abolish bar-riers in areas such as trade, agriculture, civil aviation and tourism via policies that aim to harmonise the OECS labour market. Details and understandings about what DG Ishmael calls ‘huge’, that on August 1 OECS celebrated a historical marker with the facilitation of free move-ment of OECS people across that single space.

Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer referred to some earlier integration movements, could not be missing out on matters within CARICOM, associating it with failure, touting OECS success. Is it too early? Should not be as the OECS states are participants and can surely learn lessons from the failures. Smallness may be an asset but comes with their share of diffi culties and problems. OECS heads of government and leaders of the opposition have already made statements in principle that the OECS regional agenda will meet in a politically neutral area.

The Assembly is not legislative and therefore cannot, must not and should not function like national parliaments/assemblies. AS the DG puts it to the media clinic participants, “it requires that type of political maturity for those delegations, opposition and government alike to come together at the OECS assembly and be able to speak to the important issues that face us as a region, without divisiveness that perhaps we see occasionally at the national level…” She said oc-casionally but we say too often.

CSME experts must have heard the warning, that the leaders can agree and understand everything about the issues, but if the people who live it do not at least know about it, failure is natural. Same way if the OECS people do not know and understand what makes Union and Integration, those too will fail, the previous successes notwith-standing.

Montserrat’s Social Welfare recipients are suffering

“Donaldson Romeo writes to the Premier(Ag.) about tobacco”

About rum from Montserrat

Discussions, education and infor-mation will mark OECS success B y A C o n c e r n e d

MontserratianTough socio-economic

times in Montserrat since the onset of volcanic activity have given rise to a host of vulner-able persons being rendered unable to help themselves to live at a basic acceptable standard. Because of this, the Government through the Social Welfare Department, decided to assist these poor, unfortunate persons with an allowance of EC$600 per month to cover the cost of food, utilities, toiletries, clothing and rent in some cases. The majority of the persons as-sisted are incapable of working because of mental, physical and/or old age limitations.

In 2008, The Government of Montserrat commissioned The Montserrat Association of Retired Persons to conduct a review of the Social Welfare assistance programme. The Review Report stated that the EC$600 monthly allowance was

grossly inadequate to meet the basic needs of the recipients. The study suggested that the monthly allowance be adjusted upwards to refl ect basic nutri-tional requirements and cover basic utilities. It suggested an increase in the monthly allow-ance to EC$1,215 per head of household per month, and EC$1,025 per month for any other member in the household that was under the scheme.

When the Report had been conducted, the volcanic crisis had been ongoing for fi fteen (15) years, and the adverse socio-economic conditions were continuing to cause severe hardship to these more vulner-able citizens in our society. This state of affairs has been further made worse by the sharp rise and increasing cost of basic necessities and overall living expenses in Montserrat.

According to the Review Report: “The niceties of a balanced diet and good nu-

tritional habits are luxuries which cannot fi t into their allowances at present lev-els. The risk of developing and exacerbating chronic diseases because of poor nutrition, cannot be factored by them into the money equa-tion. They feel they just must seek to make ends meet.” This reality refl ects a desper-ate existence in Montserrat for some of our citizens.

Retaining the current level of payment not only compounds the situation, but also makes the overall position worse, be-cause if the welfare recipients do not eat healthily this would only increase their health care costs which falls back on the Government. The fact that the recipients are primar-ily elderly persons, makes the situation graver because since adequate tertiary health care is not available on island, the Government would fi nd itself

Dora Gerald-Dyer comments: The government cannot be

serious regarding going into partner-ship with a cigarette manufacturer. Where have they been, they need to wake up and smell the coffee, no

About rum from Montserrathello, I live in France, and I am looking for the rum producer, ‘rumeries’ and marks in

Montserrat before the volcano-eruption, looking also for the import of rums . I can’t fi nd this sort of information on the web. So I decide to write you! perhaps could you give me that

thank you for allsincerely michel

one in their right mind would ever think tobacco is a good business.

Surely, there must be some other interesting and rewarding businesses they can think of.

How about starting up a

factory for the waste of mangoes, breadfruit, guava, coconut water, dried coconut (these can be tinned) it is better to invest in things along this line than CIGARETTE/TOBACCO.

cont’d. on page 5



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morally responsible to assist these persons with nec-essary overseas medical treat-ment at prohibitive costs.

Whilst acknowledging the current demands and pressures on Government, the care of our most vulnerable in the commu-nity must take priority on moral and humanitarian grounds in any modern society.

The attitude of some per-sons in authority to these unfortunate individuals: “Ley them go find hard work foo do,” is both insensitive and painfully unrealistic, for as the Report indicated, the majority of the persons are “well over 60 years old, and many have varying degrees of disabil-ity”. Additionally, as is also

pointed out in the Report, the majority of these persons have no other source of income - no pension, no Social Security or other form of assistance.

How can we as Montser-ratians continue to be so hard-hearted as to continue to turn a deaf ear to these profound, heart-wrenching cries of our fellow citizens, currently con-demned to a diet of malnutrition and deprivation?

Montserratians, what has our society come to? Don’t we have a moral responsibility to outreach to the most vulner-able in our community, who are incapable of providing for themselves, and ensure that they can attain at the very least a basic and healthy level of human dignity?

Soc ia l we l fare su f fer ing

Assembly seal Regional Integration

OECS MEDIA CLINIC ENCOURAGES TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC AND EVEN

THE PRIVATE SECTIOR



of the essence and it is our time to write our own history.”

Following the nomination and election of the fi rst speaker, former Speaker of the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Wal-ford Gumbs was elected Deputy Speaker of the Assembly.

The program of events was followed and parliament host Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer of Antigua and Barbuda after welcoming all, said, “…noth-ing epitomizes democracy more than a parliament and here is a regional parliament of not one but all of our sovereign nations of the OECS bound together to secure the regional good in a way that we could not have achieved individually. I therefore embrace the opportunity to welcome you to the OECS assembly Antigua and Barbuda and more particularly to the parliament of Antigua in whose

chamber we now sit.”He told the packed Chamber,

the decisions taken at the as-sembly must be built on a regional consensus and added: “This marks another signifi cant milestone on the road to regional integration and development. We are pioneers in this noble enterprise to alter signifi cantly how we function. It is our duty to show what is possible to those who will come after.”

He boasted the road of the OECS movement since 1981, after pointing out failures before it: “Into this integration void stepped the countries of the Eastern Caribbean and forged their own institutions to promote regional integration and economic development.”

OECS chairman Ralph Gonza-les, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, spoke next and during his address noted: “One member of this august assembly, the Hon. Lester Bird leader of

the opposition in Antigua and Barbuda, was a signatory to the original treaty. The successor in the governmental instrument, the Revise Treaty of Basseterre establishing the OECS economic union which came into force in June 2010, was attested to by the distinguish prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda the Hon. Baldwin Spencer, the leader of a political party which has been in electoral contestation for over two decades with that of the Hon. Leader of the opposition.”

Giving meaning to the fact, and substance of the treaty and the Assembly, he said, “This fact signifi es the absence of political partisanship in the crafting of and support for treaty arrangements design to deepen functional eco-nomic and governance integration in our region. Across each of the member states of the OECS the governing and opposition parties

are at one on this issue, despite occasional dissonance on this or that detail.”

The next speaker was the full member of the Organisation, not often mentioned, but with hesitation, Premier of Montserrat, Reuben T Meade. He called for the leaders of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to have a genuine love for the sub-regional grouping and what it stands for.

The Hon. Premier spoke on behalf of the three non-Indepen-dent Members, Anguilla, British

Virgin Islands, and Montserrat.“We must love the organisa-

tion of the OECS and we must love the people who we are called to serve,” he told the gathering which included all the Heads of Govern-ment for the OECS, the CARICOM Secretary General, His Excellency Irwin Larocque, other regional heads of organisations, including the European Union representation in the Caribbean.

Hon. Mark Brantley MP the leader of the opposition in St. Kitts-Nevis spoke on behalf of OECS Leaders of Opposition,

preceding the adjournment. Premier Meade lead a large

delegation to the offi cial opening which included the Honourable Leader of the Opposition Donald-son Romeo, Acting Governor Her Excellency Sarita Francis, and the Honourable Financial Secretary John Skerritt, along with other members of the Premier’s offi ce and the Cabinet Secretariat.

Montserrat is one of the original members of the Treaty of Basseterre and has participated fully in the OECS since its incep-tion in 1981.

The OECS Secretariat or-ganised a two-day media clinic for media practitioners held im-mediately prior to the Inaugura-tion OECS assembly where the practitioners were encouraged to dig into the ramifi cations with a view to understanding and passing on the benefi ts of OECS integra-tion to the people.

Radio Montserrat, ZBJ’s news staffer Miss Tanicia Chris-topher and editor in chief of The Montserrat Reporter Bennette Roach participated the clinic where Montserrat’s Salas Hamil-ton, CARICOM Communications specialist was the facilitator.

As media practitioners,


Local fishermen now have s ix new lockers available to them near the new Little Bay com-plex, just east of the Little Bay Market. The lockers were handed over to the Fisheries Department dur-ing a brief ceremony on Thursday, August 2.

The ceremony was held at the new parking lot directly adjacent the new lockers ; th is was to facilitate the handing over of the keys for the compartments from the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) to the Fisher-ies Department.

Forego ing the ex-change, Director of (PIU), Mr. Owen Lewis gave a brief remark; he said, “Sometime last year PIU got instructions from the Ministry of Agriculture to research the construction of fishermen lockers and what we have today is the result of that research process. The lockers are in keeping with the over-all design plan for Little Bay, which meant that we had to consult with the Montserrat Development Cooperation (MDC) that has responsibility for the build out of the Little Bay complex.”

Mr. Lewis proceeded to thank his team and other participating bod-ies for their contribution to make the structure a reality.

The Honourable Min-ister of Agriculture and acting Premier Mr. Easton Taylor Farrell spoke after the Director. He gave an account of the steps and decisions leading to the construction of the building.

Just prior to declaring the ready for use, offi-cially cutting the ribbon, the minister told the small

Just moments after the keys of the newly construct-ed fi shermen lockers were handed over to the Fisheries Department; local fi shermen have already identifi ed and complained of a number of anomalies with the new facility.

One major concern for fi shermen is the absence of toilet and bathroom facili-ties, especially to wash-off on return from the sea.

When The Montserrat Reporter raised the issue of bathroom facility for the fi shermen, with the Perma-nent Secretary (PS) of Agri-culture Mrs. Camille Gerald, she told The Montserrat Reporter this, “We have thought about that, but I think the limitations had to do with fi nancing… in the interim they probably have to use those that belong to the market…but I’m not go-ing to make it public.”

According to the PS,

fi shermen using the space will be required to pay a minimal rent of EC$25.00 to occupy the lockers.

In the meantime the Minister with responsibil-ity for Fisheries and acting Premier Mr. Easton Taylor Farrell in a remark during the handing over of the building highlighted the main expectations of the Department for fishermen occupying these lockers.

He said, “It is clearly stated that the facilities must be kept in a man-ner that is in keeping with the surroundings of Little Bay development project. It now forms part of the Little Bay development hence the esthetic of the compound must be in keeping with the general extending of the compound.”

When one of the Fish-ermen raised the issue of bathroom facility with the Minister, he stressed that the

use of water is prohibited in or around the vicinity. He further stressed that no fi sh should be cleaned in the area and fishermen should not wash themselves in the area. All washing and cleaning of fi sh should be done at the Carr’s Bay facility, shoreline or elsewhere.

According to the Min-ister, this action was taken to ensure that the vicinity is kept clean and is in keeping with the overall appearance of the Little Bay town as development progresses. Meanwhile the previous structure at Carr’s Bay came complete with toilet facility and electricity.

In the meantime fi sher-men continue to complain

New lockers available to local fishermen

Fishermen complain of new lockers

gathering, which included a few fishermen: “While major works were under-taken on the Little Bay project, one of the things that should have hap-pened was that a round-about was to be placed at the entrance of Carr’s Bay. The lower section of the Fisheries shed should have been done and mon-ies for that project should have been provided by the Little Bay Development Fund…However, the proj-ect came to an end and the funds were not available. Out of the ingenuity of Ministers of government, some funds came in for the department and rather than issuing it to indi-viduals, the Premier along with us decided that we should invest the funds into this facility…”

H e t h e n r e v e a l e d plans for the former struc-ture at Carr’s Bay. “…In a few days’ time, the old fisheries shed, the lower section Carr’s Bay will be demolished…hence a number of those fisher-men who are position in the lower section will be replaced or re-housed in these facilities…I know that the fishermen will be happy having a new place and I want to encourage them to take care of it and as funds become avail-able we may very well be relocating the other f ishermen who remain in Carr’s Bay,” said the

and remain unsure as to where they will carry out these activi-ties. However these concerns could be-come an even bigger problem in the future, as the Carr’s Bay fa-cility is scheduled for demolition in a few days. Presently fi sher-men use the back of the Carr’s Bay fi sher-ies facility to clean fi sh and to wash-off.

On the other side of the coin, through-out the years residents

have expressed disgust at the unsanitary appearance of the Carr’s Bay facility. In par-ticular the area used to clean fish was described as an eye-sore for some bystand-ers. The counter on which the fi sh is cleaned is said to reveal a grimy exterior in addition to fi sh remains that are occasionally seen linger-ing on the fl oor long after fish cleaning is complete. These residences are con-cerned that this may tarnish the over-all beautifi cation of the area.

Apart from toilet fa-cility and the provision of cleaning facility, fi shermen are responsible for their own water and electricity fi xtures in the new facility.

Minister.T h e n e w l o c k e r s

were the second phase in the Government plan to relocate the Fisheries Department and affil i-ated structures from the Carr’s Bay vicinity. The Fisheries Department has already relocated to the

new market complex.The PIU in collabo-

ration with the Architec-tural Department of the PWD was responsible for designing the lockers. Mr. Ewell Johnson Construc-tion company completed the structure, under the supervision of the PIU.


Kids time - In your own korner

Pass It On! The Turtle

Refrigerator Riddle

A Real WinnerI crouch low at the starting line;I’m going to try to win this time.I leap out at the signal gun;My muscles coil and stretch to run.It feels as though my lungs will

burst,

I sat so quiet on the grass;I didn’t make a sound.I was spying on a turtleThat was sleeping on the ground.

Or at least I thought him sleep-ing;That’s

the way it seemed to be,

But the truth was - he was quietBecause he was watching me!

I took a smile outside one day, And gave it to a friend.

Hello everyone – It is kid’s time with Auntie Lyka “In Your Korner”. We are now in the middle of summer. I hope you are enjoying yourselves. Congratulation to those who were successful at CXC. Those not so successful do not give up hope. Determination is the key. Remember read a book as you go along this summer.

Pre-School Corner

I try so hard to come in first.I come in

last, but I don’t mind.I really

win--be-cause I try!

Which 5 LETTERS do you yell when you find nothing in the refrigerator?

AnswerY R U M T?! (why are you empty?!)

He gave it to the mailman,

Who passed it on againThat little

smile I offered, I gave

away for free,

Left happy people everywhere –

And all because of me!

See you next week right here

In Your Own Korner. Where we will have funKids write your stories, tell us about your-selves. Email or post - Write to Aunty Lyka, at P.O. Box 306, Davy Hill, or send email to: [email protected]


MCSA SEEKS TIME EXTENSION TO REVIEW PUBLIC SERVICE BILL

OECS MEDIA WORKSHOP

CCARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

The Caribbean Development Bank is seeking to recruit experienced professionals to fill the following positions at its headquarters located in Barbados: PROJECTS DEPARTMENT

Project Manager, Community Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (CDRRF) Knowledge Management/Public Education Specialist, CDRRF Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, CDRRF

Candidates must be nationals of one of CDB’s Member Countries. The Bank’s member countries are the Commonwealth Caribbean countries together with Canada, Colombia, Germany, Haiti, Italy, Mexico, the People’s Republic of China, the United Kingdom and Venezuela. CDB is a multilateral development bank that collaborates with its Borrowing Member Countries to promote sustainable social and economic development, economic cooperation and regional integration. APPLICATIONS Full details of the job opportunities, guidelines for the submission of applications and general information about the Caribbean Development Bank may be obtained from the Bank’s website at http://www.caribank.org.

Remember Saturday September 1st for the Back to School Family Fun Day at the Catholic Church in Lookout starting at 3 pm.

The Roman Catholic Community invites one and all to a day of fun, food and frolic for the whole family just before the kids go back to school.

Lots of activities including:

Horse Back Riding• Face Painting• Balloon Art• Lucky Dips• Bouncy Castle• Food Stalls including hot dogs, popcorn, goat water, souse, fried chicken • and lots moreGames for the whole family• Ring Toss• Domino Competition• Draughts• Bingo• Fusion Cuisine Supper: A Taste of Local, Regional and International Dishes • starting at EC$5!And while you dine be treated to a Fashion Show with a difference.•

Music will be provided by Multiplex I-Power Sound System!

Don’t forget the Back to School Family Fun Day on Saturday September 1st at the Catholic Church in Lookout starting at 3 pm on the dot. A Day of Fun, Food and Frolic for the whole family before the kids go back to School!

The Montserrat Civil Service Association (MCSA) is seeking more time to review the Public Administration Regulation, accord-ing to president of the MCSA Mr. Paul Lewis.

In an interview with The Montserrat Reporter Mr. Lewis revealed that the Association has only had a very short amount of time to review the document and have already identifi ed a number of anomalies. “The Montserrat Civil Service Association was given a very short time to examine the Public Administration Regulations, which will replace the general orders. We were given a couple

of weeks to look at it and we don’t think that is adequate. The consultant hired by government, had a longer time than we did and was able to interview senior civil servants and so forth, and for us to be given a couple of weeks, I think that’s really unfair.”

Last month the Caribbean Public Service Association held its 42nd annual conference here on island, where representing mem-bers of the Caribbean Congress of Labour and the International Labour Organization briefly re-viewed the document and found several problems.

“When we use the opportu-

nity during the Caribbean Public Service Association (CPSA) meet-ing to have other affiliates of CPSA and Caribbean Congress of Labour (CCL) look at the document which was just about one hour, we were able to pick up a number of anomalies, concerns, grey areas and so forth that we will put forward,” said Mr. Lewis.

He said, “We also had the International Labour Organization consultant here. He is presently involved in updating the labour laws in the Caribbean and so we fi nd that it was good that we had him here at the same time and had him take a look at the document

and he too has submitted his concerns and his comments. He also indicted the time is too short to do a detailed analysis. So what we are doing is putting forward what we have so far, present it but make the point that we need some more time to do a more detail analysis.”

According to the President the MCSA an extension will al-low for further consultation and discussion of the bill with the general Montserrat membership of the MCSA, as well as the ILO, the CPSA and CCL. It will also give the Government further op-portunity to review the bill before they enact it.

CPSA affiliates and CCL highlighted several areas of con-cerns including: powers invested in the Deputy Governor, Offi cers and pension, Government vacancies and discipline and termination.

The new regulatory bill will replace the Government General Orders which regulate the admin-istration of public workers. The bill is anticipated to be enacted by September, 2012.

The Caribbean Public Ser-vices Association (CPSA) deliber-ated during the concluded 42nd Conference in Montserrat, the new Montserrat Public Service Act.

The following are some areas of concern highlighted by CPSA affi liates and CCL within an hour of looking at the document.

• There was much ambi-guity identifi ed in 7 (1) the powers vested in the Deputy Governor and the lack of consultation with any statutory body to carry out duties assigned. Master servant relation-ship was of concern where the employee shall and the Governor may lead to confl ict.

• At 8 (1) ambiguity was also highlighted where no offi cer shall receive pension without qualification. There is lack of consultation by the Premier with the PSC in the exercise. Ambigu-ity is clear as it speaks to pension rights at 7 (2) and 8 (1)

• At 6 should read unless there is no suitable candidate, advertise should be inserted and vacancy for a new post.

• At 7 the question was raised as to what is suitability and this should be qualifi ed by qualifi -cation, merit, and performance.

• 11 (1) should be omitted as it contradicts rights referenced in 6, 7, and 8 and compromises the recruitment process.

Government shall and not may and the contract should be removed in this clause, and the employee may be given 6 months additional probation instead of shall.

• Discipline and termina-tion need to be considered in con-junction with the Constitution. The PSC should have 5 or 7 persons and not the even number of 6.

• The Disciplinary proce-dures need to be reviewed, there are too many grey areas and loop holes.

• The appeals process is not spelt out and there is lack of natural justice in the process.

• The grievance process does not mention the PSC. The Board of Appeal should be estab-lished and the appeal be heard by this body before going to the Governor.

The comments sent to MCSA from the ILO consultant Mr. Clive Pegus is attached. Mr. Pegus is involved in the upgrading of vari-ous Labour Laws throughout the Caribbean.

Community DiaryThe public is encouraged to send in their community notices for publication and viewing in The Montserrat Reporter

newspaper and online

mostly from the GIS and government communication in-stitutions, noted a familiar sound of a lack of communication on OECS matters, they heard from and listened to Director General of the OECS Len Ishmael admit that there were problems with the or-ganization communications link to the public. She however advised that there are plans to recruit a communications specialist.

Hamilton in the meantime, Montserratian Salas Hamilton reminded media representative of the need to hold technocrats accountable when soliciting in-formation from the sub-regional

grouping.Media practitioners were

complimentary at the conduct of the sessions which they found more stimulating than previous such clinics. They took shots at leads following some sessions and one they took target on was, the question that asked, ‘Where are the private sector and do they get involved?’ as they noted that the ‘Private sector absent from talks for launch of OECS Assembly’.

The practioners expressed concern: “Private Sector’s ab-sence from media talks ahead of the launch of the OECS Assembly, a matter of serious concern. They shared concern on the sentiment echoed by Randolph Cato, OECS’s

Director of Economic Affairs while presenting the topic “OECS Inte-gration. Mr. Cato declared that while the Organization and its citi-zens are closer to realizing a single ‘economic space’, there wasn’t any clear activity in the formation of Pan OECS companies.

At the end of the presenta-tion, it had become even clearer that those from the Private Sector who do not utilize the opportuni-ties that a single economic space affords them, run the risk of being subsumed by those that do.

The media specialists had broken into two groups and shared: Energy placed into de-veloping and forging partnerships among member states of the

OECS could realize greater eco-nomic activity when compared to the current competitive nature in some industries.

They understood and agreed that engaging a new modus ope-randi towards attracting foreign exchange into the Organization’s member states could see the ex-ploration and packaging of indus-tries different and possibly more positive and attractive ways. Mr. Cato cited examples of promoting an OECS Summer Festival and an OECS Yachting experience.

The director General Ismael treated the journalists and report-

really very practical.”“We will inaugurate the

OECS assembly. I like to think of it as the peoples parliament - I think it speaks of political maturity on the part of our region that we've been able to come so far,” she actually beamed.

She said that there is, “A very distinctive element of the OECS Parliament or Assembly, is the fact of its regional nature which means that there wont be one side and another side - it requires that type of political maturity for those delegations opposition and government alike to come together at the OECS assembly and be able to speak to the important issues that face us as a region without divisiveness that perhaps we see occasionally at the national level…”


ers to in-formation regarding the Treaty which she sa id , “ is


PSA Test FlunksP r o s t a t e C a n c e r :

Especially for men

Cudjoe Head Committee plans for next year’s celebrations

Miss Montserrat returns home from Jaycees and Miss Caribbean culture pageant

Newsmax HealthDr. Brownstein's Answer: A headline in the May 22, 2012,

issue of the Wall Street Journal read, “Blood Test From Prostate Cancer Test Gets a ‘D’ From Panel.” My only criticism of the article is that the grade should have been an “F.”

The article referred to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendation State-ment, which was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine on the same date. The USPSTF recom-mended that men should not be screened for prostate cancer with the prostate specifi c antigen (PSA) blood test. They reported a “moder-ate or high certainty that the (PSA test) has no benefi t or that harms outweigh the benefi ts.”

The task force reviewed clini-cal studies of PSA testing, and the best of the studies found only a miniscule benefi t from PSA screen-ing. The researchers wrote, “There is good evidence that PSA-based screening prevents only zero to one prostate cancer death for every 1,000 men screened. No studies

show any benefi t in overall death rates.”

Millions of men have been screened with PSA testing and many have been told to have ex-pensive and dangerous therapies to treat prostate cancer found by the test.

However, men were not told that the vast majority of prostate cancers are slow growing, and that the harm from treatment can vastly outweigh the benefi ts. This study is an indictment of PSA testing. It should also function as a necessary slap in the face to con-ventional medicine’s approach to treating cancer.

The American Cancer So-ciety should be studying how to prevent cancer. Instead, they focus on early diagnosis and treatment. Unfortunately, by the time most cancers are diagnosed, it is too late.

Truly preventative measures will revolve around eating a healthier diet, detoxifi cation, and supplementing to correct nutri-tional and hormonal imbalances.

CCARIBBEAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

JOB OPPORTUNITY

DIRECTOR, FINANCE DEPARTMENT

The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) has a great job opportunity for a Director, Finance Department to work at its headquarters located in Barbados. Leading the Finance team, the Director, Finance Department will be responsible for providing strategic advice on all finance management matters, the accounting, treasury investments, loans and grants administration, budget administration and monitoring function of the Bank. The successful candidate should have:

An undergraduate degree in a relevant field plus a professional finance or accounting qualification such as ACCA, CIPFA, CMA or CGA. A Masters degree in business or other related field will be an advantage.

Extensive professional experience in accounting and financial management with at least eight years at a

management level. Candidates must be nationals of one of CDB’s Member Countries. Full details of the job opportunity, guidelines for the submission of applications and general information about the Caribbean Development Bank may be obtained from the Bank’s website at http://www.caribank.org. CDB is a multilateral development bank that collaborates with its Borrowing Member Countries to promote sustainable social and economic development, economic cooperation and regional integration.

Question: Do you agree with the latest government health recommendations regarding PSA testing for prostate cancer?

Plans are already in the working to include historic presentations on the history of the area Cudjoe Head to coincide with Emancipation Day commemoration for the next Cudjoe Head Day cel-ebrations. Head of the orga-nizing committee Paul Lewis revealed this in an interview with The Montserrat Reporter on Tuesday, August 7.

He said, “Next year we are looking at continuing dialogue with some of our locally known historians to do a feature on the history of Cudjoe Head…I think that the historians are in the best position to give us historic information not only about Cudjoe Head, but gener-ally, especially since Cudjoe

Head Day falls pretty close to Emancipation Day. We feel that it would be good to have that feature of it along with our usual fun events,” said Mr. Lewis.

In the interview Mr. Lewis hailed the recent Cud-joe Head Day celebrations a success.

“We had another suc-cessful Cudjoe Head day 2012. From all reports this year’s celebration was just as good as last year’s, but I think what’s even better this year was the live perfor-mances from our local artists. It is always good to have live music and new local artist, especially given that this gives them the chance now to warm up for the 50th festival

celebration,” he said.This year’s event fea-

tured a number of activities that commenced with a block party on Friday. On Saturday activities continued with an early morning breakfast sale and road race. Later in the day there were cultural pre-sentations from the iron band, masqueraders, the string band and steel band.

In the evening Volcanic Vibes band rocked the crowd featuring performances from local calypsonians, including Pop Moris, Tabu, Sylvina, Silk, Jack Sprat and Cupid.

The evening concluded with several raffl es and street lime, alongside the musical presentation of Tribe Star featuring DJ Moto.

Miss Montserrat has returned home on Wednes-day after concluding a week of pageantry in Nevis and Antigua.

Despite an early elimi-nation at the Jaycees Carib-bean Pre-Show in Antigua, Miss Montserrat, Claris Yearwood walked away with the trophy for best talent and prize for Miss Photogenic at the 2012 Miss Caribbean Culture pageant on Monday in Nevis.

The 19 year-old compet-ed against nine contestants from throughout the region; however she did not place in the top four positions. Miss St. Kitts, Travesia Adams was crowned the 2012 Ca-ribbean Culture Queen.

Claris took the stage in the Ambassadorial seg-ment in a three piece en-semble which featured a

yellow, green and blue head piece with feathers, a barely there brain green, and a long green and blue skirt fl owing to reveal her legs. Local Artist/Costume designer Mr. Chadd Cumberbatch designed the piece which presented Montserrat Al-liouagana.

Miss Yearwood cap-tured the best talent with a reiteration of the dramatic presentation on mental ill-ness another production of Mr. Cumberbatch, which she performed at the Jaycees Queen show in Antigua the preceding Wednesday.

In the swimsuit seg-ment, Claris wore a one piece purple swim suit with a diamond centre piece held in place with straps across the abdomen, which was entitled Diamond Jubilee in honour of the island’s 50th festival

celebration scheduled in De-cember 2012. The Montser-ratian queen then graced the stage in the evening gown which earned her the crown in the Montserrat pageant in December 2011.

On Wednesday August 1, she competed in the Jay-cee’s pre-show among 14 contestants where 10 fi nal-ists were selected. This is the fi rst time Jaycees introduced the pre-show.

At the event, Miss Year-wood did presentations in all three segments: talent, swimsuit and eveningwear; however she did not make the top 10 group.

On return home Miss Montserrat took to Facebook to thank all the supporters for their support. “I wish to extend a hearty than you to everyone near and far who has supported me through-

out my participation in the Jaycees Caribbean Queen Pageant & the Miss Carib-bean Culture Pageant during the past week. The love and

support given to me was be-yond generous and welcom-ing as it made me feel more determined to leave a lasting impression. The journey was

both a learning experience and a time for me to repre-sent my Emerald Gem, and that I did to the best of my abilities,” she said.


Soufriere Hills volcano still in pause, but tam-pering and vandalism of equipment continues

www.themontserratreporter.com

The Montserrat Vol-cano Observatory Report for August 3-10, 2012 reported in part that on August 8, ash venting and roaring sounds were heard at the same time. The ash drifted west-wards over Plymouth at about 1 kilometre above sea level. The report also noted that there was a change in wind direc-tion which meant that the volcanic plume was blown northwards for much of 9 August and the smell of volcanic gases was noticeable in some inhabited areas.

Following this report by Roderick Stewart, Act-ing Director, he reported to ZJB Radio, that there were some expression of fear about hearing the volcano roaring at night, but said that “this is again something that happens from time to time; it’s not uncommon,” noting the wind direction in ‘unusual weather conditions’.

In the report, Ag. Di-rector pointed out, “…The volcano is still in the pause, well over 18 months now that it’s been going on for, it’s actually I think the longest pause we’ve had…,”adding as in previous pauses as well, we have little bits of activity but none of these are indication that new lava is coming to the surface…”he said.

He also said, there is no reason, at the moment, to make any changes to the level of hazard or anything else like that.

Vandalism to equip-ment in the unsafe zone.

Meanwhile Ag. Direc-tor Stewart is complain-ing that a month or so ago there was some van-dalism done to one of our stations. Now he says, “…and then in the last couple of weeks we’ve noticed that one of our stations in Long ground

over in the tar river side someone was seen tam-pering…” with equipment in the area.

He said, “it’s very an-noying…and it is stopping

us recoding data which is vital to our monitoring of this volcano,” adding, “this is a temporary sta-tion we move around the volcano its providing us

with vital data.”Stewart said further

that if people would stop going into the zone it stop any instances of people tampering with our equip-

ment, “whether it’s acci-dentally or deliberately - I can’t tell but we need the equipment to be working for us to continue with our work,” he concluded.

photo by David MacGillivray

the montserrat reporter- august 17 2012

Documents

oecs prime

oecs economic union

oecs commissioner

economic development

inaugural meeting

independent member states

effective economic union

st vincent