Page 1Friday, September 05, 2014 g

Price $3.00Vol. XXIX No. 26

Today’s Scripture

Week Ending Friday, September 05, 2014

The Father of the heavenly lights . . . does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17 (NIV)

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Bank of Montserrat LAND LOANSYour Bank. Your Future.

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Lowering greenhouse gases...pg 3

Local news in brief...pg 4

Read more online - themontserratreporter.com

Widow contemplates suing FlyMontserrat...pg 2

Did Premier overreact?...pg 2

Caribbean local minsters meet...pg 3

More Headlines...

The biggest blunder

Where does the truth lie?cont’d. on page 8

cont’d. on page 6

I have been listening with ever-increasing amazement to the unchallenged multitude of lies told by Premier Minister Reuben T Meade in furthering his political ambition and by his boldness in challenging us to fact-check his lies and con-fabulations. Please consider

the following.Continued from last

week - With the following caption:

Fact-checking the Pre-mier: Where does the truth lie?

Have there been any negative consequences from

the Premier’s decision to fl out the budgetary aid con-ditions set by DFID?

During his appearance on the MCAP hour on August 1, 2014, Premier Meade gave the following lengthy and incoherent response to James White’s (Radio ZJB) ques-

tion about government’s authority in relation to the 4th bulleted item above about spending surplus funds in the ring-fenced contingency fund:

Okay, the question is: What is contingency fund? The contingency fund, on

by Bennette RoachThe biggest blunder,

though anyone might be able to see beyond it as a mistake, is the one manism act of Reuben T Meade in his years at the helm of government politically. This is his ignoring the benefi ts of consulting, not so much with the people of Montser-rat even when that was most required, but his ministers as well, he is too grand to have advisors, so they do not exist. His blunder the SGP, while concentrating on Little Bay and Carrs Bay, set out on a part that would destroy the idea.

Aided by the Governor he, true to form failed to fol-low the rules of disposing of government’s property and that includes its finances, by giving away to strangers, via incentives and tax con-cessions, as well as its ‘pre-cious’ materials in the exclu-sion zone, thus encouraging the demolishing of private property in and outside the exclusion zone. Both he and the Governor then blame the police for not being vigilant. Montserrat gets NOTHING (someone or more do). In

fact Montserrat subsidises the Tobacco factory and oth-ers non-benefi cial to Mont-serrat. Another blunder, he and his ministers reject the advice of the Incentives Committee at the Premier’s whim.

It has been a myth, this great negotiator, which has gone on and gone wrong because the motives have never been about the prog-

ress of Montserrat. Deliberately withholding the Group A modifi ca-tion of the Little Bay master plan and selecting the Group B plan at the Charette, was the worst move which when he would have wanted to be able to shine is now a dismal failure.

Everything has gone wrong and rushed. But when one realizes how little has been achieved, all because of that which he has been accused, wanting to do everything himself and for himself. The pub-lic servants left without reason to provide support. Spending so much time being arrogant and insulting, belittling the one legislator who has accomplished over 100% in opposition what any before him has, including the premier himself. When you get accused to behaving as a “know all”, you need to have success to show for it.

It is up to the politicians now Group A working on the old master plan A

The mo-ment is now - go out and VOTE

Page 2 Friday, September 05, 2014

Did the Premier over-react? Or was this

a genuine cause for concern all round?

Widow of deceased pilot contemplates

suit against Montser-rat Airways Ltd.

Miss Carmelita Kirwan with her daughter who ac-companied her dressed in a “hoodie”. Image courtesy mnialive.com

By Warren CassellPremier Reuben T. Meade

called on residents to desist from petty political differences that are designed to create violence and disturbance during the election campaign.

According to ZJB Radio Mr. Meade made a statement against the background of an incident which he claimed threatened his safety on Radio Montserrat premises on Monday night August 25.

The reports reaching TMR are that during Mr. Meade’s interview with MNI Alive’s Jeevan Robinson Mr. Meade was asked whether he condone’s fear tactics and made the following statements : “I am not aware that MCAP is getting involved in any fear tactics. Let me put it this way. We don’t have any known criminals putting up signs in the dead of night in hoodies in Montserrat……. In Montserrat PDM is using a known criminal to put up the red plastic on all the lamp posts them and doing things in hoodies. At 3:15 in the morning you have two persons with hoodies coming out of Don Romeo’s house. It’s a statement I can backup with facts because I’ve seen the person myself. …So when you are talking about fear tactics, you have known drug people nominating the former leader of the opposition convicted of drugs and drug dealing in Montserrat and that’s the person nominating you…. Do you see anybody from MCAP in a hoodie going around stick-ing up things on people vehicles?”

Further reports say that about 30 minutes after that Mr. Meade was informed that a young man was outside on ZJB’s Varandah. TMR has since learnt that the man to whom the Premier referred was Leverson Charles commonly known as “Goldie”. Mr. Meade remained inside and telephoned the Police who showed up. Persons who were present told TMR that Mr. Charles did not address Mr. Meade in any form or fashion but only exclaimed in amazement at how the police was contacted when there was no confrontation. Charles said the Police told him that the Premier said that he (Mr. Charles) should have

By Warren CassellMontserrat Airways Limited

- the operator of Fly Montserrat may soon face a lawsuit arising from the death of Captain Jason Forbes, the pilot killed when the company’s plane crashed at VC Bird International Airport in 2012.

In speaking exclusively with Observer media, Captain Forbes’ widow, Florisca Forbes announced that she is contem-plating legal action to hold the company accountable for the death of her husband suggesting that serious management failings led to the tragedy.

In a report coming out of Antigua, Forbes told OBSERVER media, “What has me concerned is the approach Nigel (Harris) has taken with me – his lawyers too…I took a letter to the DPP here in Antigua and I sent one to Montserrat to look into the case and if required I’ll charge Nigel for corporate manslaughter because I don’t see nowhere else to go, I’m not getting justice for what

nothing to do with him (the Premier).Speaking on the Breakfast

Show the following morning, Premier Meade explained that he was forced to call the police to provide escort from the Radio Station to his home, because his personal safety was compromised. He is calling for a clean and peaceful campaign free of violence and the threat of violence. Premier Meade while accusing MCAP and PDM supporters for inciting violence, also made it clear that he doesn’t want Montserrat to go through an election where he is fi ghting to retain political offi ce at the expense of the island. “The day I need police protection is the day I totally give up politics”. This many fi nd ironic since it was the Premier who requested the police’s presence, after he made unsavoury remarks and before he was accosted about them.

While some shared a similar concern, many felt that the inci-dent was blown out of proportion. MNI Alive’s Jeevan Robinson, fact checking during this election season tracked down the individuals the Premier referred to as “hooded in-dividuals” who visited Don Romeo’s house at 3 a.m. and conducted an exclusive interview.

According to Miss Carmelita Kirwan, she resides in the village of Davy Hill and had a medical emergency. She turned to the leader of the Opposition. “I walked from my home in Davy Hill to Mr. Romeo’s home. When I knocked on the door the mom answered. She told me that he was sleeping…he responded and he didn’t hesitate and took me to casualty,” she said.

She explained that her

daughter who accompanied her was dressed in what is re-ferred to as ‘a hoodie’ (as seen in photo below).

The MNI Alive’s Editor-in-Chief also caught up with Martha Farrell who nominated Don Romeo seeking her response to being referrred to as a “criminal”. She told Mr. Robinson that as the Premier he should not come on the radio and make such a comment. She also said that she has during and since prison sought to improve herself and became certifi ed to take care of the elderly.

Meantime, political leader of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) Donaldson Romeo is also reaching out to supporters, as well as citizens and friends in what he calls this tense moment leading up to the September 11th poll. Romeo is calling on residents to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner at all times.

Meanwhile Charles told TMR that there was never an intention on his part to confront the Premier with any violence. “I felt that he is a down to earth man that I could have reasoned with. It is unfortunate that he took such drastic action. I only attended the station to speak to Mr. Meade to express how disappointed I was at his remarks.”

When the story unfold ed the question by many asked about the Premier’s statement that he saw ‘criminals in hoodies’ out side Romeo’s house at 3-O’Clock in the morning. “Could that be true? What was he doing there?”

ISLAND OF MONTSERRAT IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

A.D. 2014[PROBATE]

In the Estate of QUILTON HORATIO TUITT, deceased.LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that after expiration of (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an order that Letters of Administration in the Estate of Quilton Horatio Tuitt late of Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat who died on the 11th of August 2014 at the University Hospi-tal, Guadeloupe be granted to Gweneth Tuitt of Palm Loop, Woodlands, Montserrat, the wife of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to a share in his Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be benefi cially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

FURTHER any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicant should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice whose address is: Offi ce of the Registrar General, Brades, Montserrat, not later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this notice.

Dated this 4th day of September, 2014

GWENETH TUITTApplicant

is happening.”Forbes also told the Anti-

guan media house that since the crash that also killed two pas-sengers, she has not heard from the company for which he worked and for whom he was fl ying when he died. In addition she claimed she only received his pay for the month in which he died.

“I’m not hearing anything…nobody has not said anything to me. Since that crash I haven’t heard from Nigel Harris, he hasn’t called me or written to me or my

mother-in-law, not even a letter. I am aggrieved, I’m upset. The baby is one now and by biggest son is six now. My children are fatherless,” Forbes said.

At the time of the tragedy, Forbes was three months preg-nant with her second child, the older son was four years old then.

Apart from not hearing from Fly Montserrat, Forbes said she wrote to the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority (ECCAA) seeking an update on the cause of the crash, but never got a response.

In the meantime Fly Mont-serrat issued a statement to ZJB News on the claims of legal action being considered by the widow of former Fly Montserrat pilot Jason Forbes. In response the company says, Fly Montser-rat’s Legal team continues to work with the legal teams rep-resenting all parties concerned in the unfortunate accident. Consistent with normal practice, the company says communication has been maintained and will con-tinue to be maintained with the

families through their chosen legal representatives.

T h e s t a t e -ment also indicated that it would be inappropriate for Fly Montserrat to speak directly with any family member or to make any fur-ther comment at this time.

Sagicor Life Insurance Inc.WE, COLLIN AND CARNIE MEADE of Barzey’s Montserrat, having made sworn deposition that Policy No. BMT328424 issued by British American Insurance Company Limited prior to transfer of such policy to Sagicor Life Inc on the life of Deceased, Joseph Meade has been lost, and having made application to the Directors to grant a duplicate of same, notice is hereby given that unless objection is raised within one month of the date hereof, the duplicate policy asked for will be issued.

Dated: 1st September, 2014

By Order

Althea HazzardCorporate Secretary

Page 3Friday, September 05, 2014 g

Always The SameThe Father of the heavenly lights . .

. does not change like shifting shadows. - James 1:17 (NIV)

My wife, Holly, had decided to surprise our daughter Jessie at her school for kindergarten lunch. After they finished eating, Holly suggested a game of Telephone (also called Gossip), where the first person whispers a phrase or sentence into the next person’s ear. The second person passes on what they thought they heard, until all participants have received the message. Then, the last person says aloud what was said to them. Usually, the final statement is vastly different from the initial one.

Jessie started one of the rounds by whispering, “God is always the same.” The

game went on, around the table, through several little kindergartners, until the final statement was revealed: “God is always the same.” The original statement had not changed at all.

James 1:17 tells us that God is steadfast, unchanging. Numbers 23:19 also speaks of God’s faithfulness: “God is not human, that he should lie . . . [or] change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” We can trust and rely on God. Over a period of several thousand years, God promised the Messiah — and that promise was filled in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. How amazing was this steadfast promise!

Larry Crockett (Tennessee, USA)

Our Scripture Verse TodayOur Scripture Verse Today

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. - monp_p@candw.ms.Tel. (664) 491-4715 Fax: (664) 491-2430 E-mail: editor@themontserratreporter.com or monrep@candw.ms - Web Site: http://www.themontserratreporter.com

The Montserrat Reporter

E D I T O R I A LInsult, disrespect and lack of

integrity guarantee mediocrityIn our estimation we fi nd it is so insulting that the MCAP retiring govern-

ment should fi nd it prudent one week before general elections to take the elderly and vulnerable on a tour of the exclusion zone. Some persons see it as a good gesture. What we say, not when it is done as such an obvious election campaign ploy.

The Rotary Club did something similar some time back. But isn’t that similar to within the last few weeks dropping off chicken to the people in Lookout. For fi ve (5) years they ignored the call from Donaldson Romeo and to increase the elderly and vulnerable upkeep support. Few weeks before elections, they short change them when HMG says it is willing to do the right thing. (See fact checking the Premier in this issue). Then they say the able bodied will only get increase when they work at least part time. That in a country where the real able bodied cannot fi nd work.

Let us hope that people will see these insulting and wicked behaviour. Isn’t this depraved and more insulting, preying on the saying that people in Montserrat memory short. Let them suffer for fi ve years, like so too, the public servants, workers generally who have been suffering for fi ve years, no wage or salary increase, kill the economy, increase cost of living and now try to sweeten and kill the memory. It’s been bad and people will not easily forget. The same will be true for those who they exclude from the wealth spread.

Contrary to what some people have been propagating it is not surprising to discover or to confi rm that our Premier has over the years been putting and pulling down Montserrat to a very low ebb on the British front. That of course if we can admit and recognize that the boasts are not real and hypo-critical at the least.

When one knows just some of the details they realise that really they (ministers in particular) are really just making a mockery of a major majority of the people of Montserrat. Man from Baker Hill has often said and wrote that we are the laughing stock outside. It is no wonder then that so many people treat each other as if Montserrat is not part of the real world since they would usually know that some of the information passed on to us are not much of the truth. Ever notice how much, especially recently is spouted on the morning show or government programs? Not at press conferences where the press can demand proof of various statements, such as “…just today I received a letter from one of our investors…” that said so and so. Other statements about what a UK minister said, none of which is easily verifi ed without the resources so to do. Saying that, not holding press conferences is a way of furthering the irrelevance of the newspaper.

Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com says, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all my years as an award-winning investiga-tive journalist, it’s that you should never trust offi cial stories... especially when they contradict all the earlier evidence.”

They have put Montserrat in the pits of disrespect, contrary to the im-pression they’ve given us; it is what they have come to know. The Governor must be aware of this or else he is must be very low on his boss’s ratings, when he continues to condone the Premier’s disrespect to them. It is not diffi cult now to understand the terrible report that DFID have been given to Montserrat on the eve of election.

Never before have we heard party members campaign publicly against each other. The newcomers to MCAP have been campaigning against even the Premier, criticizing that things could have been better and proceeding to be critical of housing, hospital, education, agriculture, culture. A confused voter expressed the sentiment of many and enquired if these MCAP candi-dates were working for the opposition. What disrespect and lack of integrity.

It has been diffi cult to believe the reports about the mighty Disney offer-ing to build a cruise port and all the onland amenities and facilities to support their cruise customers who would visit on their cruise ships, to be turned down and then expect the British government to turn around and build one. The response, we learned though still to be confi rmed, when asked why the turn down, “there is no money in it.” No money for whom? And how many ministers were in on that discussion and who made the decision? Can anyone who continue to support this behaviour ever honestly claim an interest in the welfare of Montserrat?

Caribbean local government ministers meet in the Bahamas

OECS and SIDS Member States - call for a

reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions

cont’d. on page 4

NASSAU, Bahamas, CMC - Local government ministers from the Carib-bean met over the weekend to fi nalise the agreement of the Caribbean Forum of Lo-cal Government Ministers (CFLGM).

CFLGM’s eighth general meeting also discussed the Regional Policy and Cooper-ation Framework (RPCF) as well as securing recognition by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

CFLGM has set 2014

as the deadline for signing off on the RPCF by member states. So far the Bahamas, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Jamaica, St Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Vincent and the Grenadines have endorsed the RPCF.

Bahamas Local Govern-ment Minister Alfred Gray said the meeting also sought to set the stage for carrying out the Millennium Develop-ment Goals (MDGs) as well as having CARICOM leaders sanction the recommenda-

tions “to advance and approve the Millennium goals in 2015.

“I believe it is very true to say that regional bodies such as the Caribbean con-ference and the international conferences of local govern-ment, their efforts seem to work together to ensure that every country in the Carib-bean is on the same page when it comes to deepening democracy and advancing the cause of local govern-ments throughout the world,” Gray said.

OECS and other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) call on countries that are signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to reduce the emissions of green-house gasses because of the increasing concerns about the impacts of climate change.

At least three OECS Mem-ber States addressed the Interna-tional conference on Small Island Developing States in Samoa from September 1 to 4, 2014, on the urgent need for suffi cient special attention regarding the impacts of climate change.

Dr. James Fletcher, Saint Lucia’s Minister for Sustainable

Development, suggested that the apparent eagerness of some to prematurely graduate some Small Island Developing States to middle income status is among many factors which has impacted negatively on the approach by the community of island nations to address several challenges. The new status, he said, was based on outmoded criteria that are out of step with empirical studies on vulnerability and resilience. Dr. Fletcher also linked the de-layed progress in dealing with challenges confronting SIDS to other factors including prolonged economic recession; dwindling support and the failure of key

partners to fulfi l pledges to scale up climate fi nance. Dr. Fletcher expressed his disappointment over the lack of assistance, the seeming nonchalance of developed countries on reducing carbon emissions, and the disad-vantage to SIDS of being labelled “middle income.”

Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Mitchell says the impact of climate change has become so apparent that sustainable economic development has taken on a new meaning and a new ur-gency. He said that in small island states economic development can be unsustainable when climate

Page 4 Friday, September 05, 2014

Crown Counsel Kristen Taylor offers fi rm message to Secondary School students

New DFID representative Martin Dawson begins duty

in Montserrat

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Dr. Franklin Perkins offers new diagnostic equipment

OVERSEAS TERRITORY OF MONTSERRATIN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE

A.D. 2014(PROBATE)

In the estate of PETER SYLVESTER RYNER, deceasedLEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date hereof, application will be made in the Registry of the High Court of Justice for an Order that Letters of Administration with Will attached in the Estate of PETER SYLVESTER RYNER late of Banks, Montserrat, who died on the 29th day of July, 2013 at the Glendon Hospital, St. John’s, Montserrat, be granted to JENNIFER RYNER of Manjack, Montserrat, the Lawful Attorney of PHILBERT WILLIAM RYNER the Personal Representative of the deceased and one of the persons entitled to share in the Estate.

ALL persons claiming to be benefi cially interested therein are requested forthwith to send particulars to me the undersigned.

FURTHER, any person objecting to the issuance of a Grant to the Applicants should notify the Registrar of the High Court of Justice no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of the notice.

DATED the 1st day of September 2014Chivone Gerald

ALLEN MARKHAM & ASSOCIATES

The Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) 2014-2015 school year opened with stu-dents receiving a stern message from a legal professional who has seen the consequences of poor choices.

Crown Counsel in the Offi ce of the Director of Public Prosecution, Kristen Taylor was one of the speakers at the school’s Opening Assembly—held under the theme ‘Articulate, Aspire, Achieve’

In her presentation, Miss Taylor encouraged the students to make the best of the edu-cation privileges on island.

She also implored the pupils to take responsibility for their own learning.The Criminal lawyer also cautioned them against making bad choices—some of which

may have legal consequences.

At his last press conference hosted by H E Governor Davis, Dr. Kato Kimbugwe had confi rmed his departure from offi ce in Montserrat, announcing at the same time his replacement the Department for International Development (DFID) Resident Representa-tive, Martin Dawson.

Mr. Dawson will take up offi ce from Monday September 15 following Dr. Kato Kim-bugwe who served in this capacity since 2010.

Dawson who is the out-going Deputy Head of DFID Malawi says he is looking forward to playing his part in helping Montserrat achieve sustainable economic growth and increased fi nancial inde-pendence.

He hails from the United Kingdom and has been a career Civil Servant since leaving college.

For over 27 years, Daw-son spent most of those years overseas in South East Asia, South Asia, Central Asia and Africa. Reports say he focused on International Development working for the Department for Interna-tional Development and the Foreign and Commonwealth Offi ce.

There is to be a much greater flexibility on is-land to diagnose and treat diseases.

This is according to medical practitioner Dr. Franklyn Perkins who on Tuesday unveiled a new state-of-the-art diagnostic system which will be used in his private practice to detect patient illnesses.

Dr. Perkins, who oper-ates out of his Cudjoe Head Offi ces, according to ZJB News spoke of a Full Digi-tal Colour Doppler Ultra Sound Diagnostic System which he says is designed to improve patient care.

He says the system looks inside the body, sees inside the organs, and can diagnose diseases that af-fect the organs.

Dr. Perkins says the

Digital Color Doppler Ultra-sound Diagnos-tic SystemMontserrat Secondary School,

Salem

Dr. Kato Kimbugwe

cont’d. from page 3

system also shows blood flow in relation to these organs identifying any abnormalities therein.

Dr. Perkins explains that the wide-raging versa-

tility of the equipment also allows for the diagnosis of associated problems which made need correc-tion sooner rather than later.

change shatters years of develop-ment leaving many islands highly indebted. On the issue of growth, Mr. Mitchell pointed to the need to consider the trillion dollar renewable energy market which could resuscitate the struggling economies of the region which currently spend signifi cantly on fossil fuels. Prime Minister Mitch-ell added that given the high cost for electricity the island states are ideal for introducing renew-able energies. He suggested the need to transform climate crises into climate opportunities.

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas called on the international community

to recognise the special circum-stances of SIDs and for stronger partnerships to fight climate change by building resilience to economic and environmental shocks.

The Member States are also of the view that along with climate change, extreme weather events and fl ailing economies, there are a myriad of other issues that require urgent and focused attention, among them, non-communicable and emerging diseases that place a strain on health systems.

The international confer-ence which follows two previous sittings in Barbados in 1994 and Mauritius in 2005, seeks to focus the attention of the

international community on the peculiar circumstances of SIDs, and the need for appropriate measures to to overcome these challenges. Special emphasis is being placed on strengthening existing partnerships and the building of new effective ones to ensure the sustainable develop-ment of SIDs.

The OECS Commission’s Director General who is also part of the meeting, has met with key international agencies and has held bilateral talks on OECS col-laboration with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO. The Director General also held talks with the CARICOM team at the SIDS meeting for coordinat-ing issues of regional interest.

Page 5Friday, September 05, 2014 g

Caribbean Round Up

Economic and Planning Minister Oliver Joseph

Economic and Planning Minister Oliver Joseph

Finance Minister Peter Phil-lip

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Former St. Vincent Registrar of the High Court Tamara Gibson-Marks

Antigua PM Gaston Browne

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchel

By Azad Ali

AntiguaAntigua and Barbuda is

hoping that China will pro-vide US$18 million towards the expansion of the Five Islands Secondary School to the University College Antigua.

Prime Minister Gas-ton Browne, who was on an offi cial visit to Beijing, has offi cially informed the principals of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) of the intention of his govern-ment regarding the facility, according to a government statement.

The Bahamas govern-ment has paid tribute to Latore Mackey, the former Deputy Director of the Ba-hamas Information Service (BIS), who was shot dead on Market Street recently.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell said he was “saddened” by the murder, adding that Mackey, on join-ing the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) worked “like a fi sh in water.”

“He carried out excel-lent work at the Bahamas Information Services and in the Offi ce of the Prime Minister. He was the future of our party. Now we have lost him too soon,” Mitchell said in a statement.

Police are working on a theory that an argument in-side a nearby club may have led to his killing. Mackey was the owner of Blue Sports Bar and Lounge in the capi-tal, Nassau.

GrenadaThe Grenada senate has

given the green light to legis-lation governing casino gam-bling that the government said would further enhance the vital tourism industry.

The Senate recently fol-lowed the Lower House that last month unanimously ap-proved the legislation that would provide certain guide-lines for casino gambling in Grenada.

ing as part of its entertain-ment package. The casino facility must be on the same compound with the hotel.

GuyanaThe main opposition

grouping A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) has called on President Donald Ramoutar to do more than

It said prior to leaving Antigua, Prime Minister Browne toured the facili-ties at Five Islands with Chinese Ambassador Ren Gongping and noted that the new proposal will include student dorms, an expanded library, expanded ICT facil-ity, Olympic size swimming pool and tennis courts.

Prime Minister Browne said he has already started talks with the University of the West Indies (UWI) on establishing the local university and that the gov-ernment will be appointing a National Committee with a corresponding committee from the UWI to produce a proposal for collaboration and timeframe for imple-mentation.

The statement said that Prime Minister Bowne is ex-pected to fi nalize the agree-ment for US$18 million towards the expansion of the facility of Five Islands.

Bahamas

etary Fund (IMF) as the gov-ernment continues to meet key economic objectives outlined in a four-year deal.

Finance Minister Peter Phillip says the IMF recently fi nished a fi fth review of the country’s economic perfor-mance.

He said officials will continue to reduce debt and reform the tax and labor market sectors, among other things.

Jamaica’s government said in a statement that it has so far secured US$44 million in funding in the fi rst year of a US$930 mil-lion loan package with the Washington-based fi nancial institution.

JamaicaThe London-based

Privy Council has granted leave to convicted hijacker Stephen Fray, to appeal his 83-year jail term for the attempted hijacking of a Ca-nadian aircraft in the western city of Montego Bay in 2009.

However, Fray and his attorney have maintained that he was mentally ill in April 2009, when he at-tempted to hijack the Canjet fl ight with 159 passengers and crew at the Sangster International Airport with a loaded gun.

St. LuciaThe European Union

(EU) has provided St. Lucia with EC$ 14.3 million worth of diagnostic equipment for the new National Hospital.

The donation is the fi rst phase of the EU’s total con-tribution to the hospital, valued at EC$32 million.

The pieces of equipment installed and tested so far are CT scanners, a mammogra-phy system and the general x-ray unit.

Part of the equipping agreement is for the sup-pliers to provide training to the technicians who will be responsible for the mainte-nance of the equipment as well as the end-users.

The training is ongoing for the teams from the Vic-toria Hospital in the capital.

A team from St. Jude hospital in the south is also participating to ensure all relevant personnel across public tertiary-care institu-tions are trained.

St. VincentFormer St. Vincent Reg-

istrar of the High Court Tamara Gibson-Marks is to re-appear in court on Oct. 7, 2014 after she was granted EC$30,000 bail on charges of theft, abuse of offi ce and false certifi cation.

The St. Lucian-born Gibson-Marks pleaded not guilty when she appeared before Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Martin four months after she was asked to resign during a 30-minute meeting with Attorney General Judith Jones-Morgan.

G i b s o n - M a r k w a s charged with the theft of EC$21,925 between April 30 and May 21, 2014 and pro-viding a certifi cate “which was to your knowledge false in material.”

In addition, she was charged with “being em-ployed in the Public Service

did in direct abuse of the authority of your offi ce as Registrar of the High Court.”

Gibson-Marks is also due to appear in court in Sep-tember to answer disciplin-ary proceedings instituted by the Attorney General.

She is being asked to show cause why she should not be disbarred from prac-ticing law in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

TrinidadTrinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar said she would not pull back the controversial Constitution (Amendment) Bill and was prepared to commit political suicide for if it came to that.

convicted hijacker Stephen Fray

“Now that we have ap-proval from both Houses for the bill, the process is not yet complete as it has to receive the assent of the governor general and be published in the Government Gazette,” Economic and Planning Minister Oliver Joseph told the media during the weekly post-cabinet meeting.

The legislation makes it an offense for Grenadians to participate in gambling activities.

The legislation notes that only hotels with more than 300 rooms can apply for a license to offer casino gam-

talk in dealing with the il-legal drug trade in Guyana.

“He must become per-sonally involved in directing the war on illegal narcotics which, apparently, are now being exported on an indus-trial scale. The president’s response to the recent dis-covery of a self-propelled semi-submarine marine ves-sel in the Barima-Waini Region is deeply disturbing,” the APNU said in a state-ment.

Ramoutar was quoted in the Government Information Agency (GINA) as saying that the government will spend “whatever necessary” to deal with the illegal drug trade.

“We have limited re-sources and we have compet-ing areas that we want to put our money into,” Ramoutar said.

But APNU describe the statement as “weak” add-ing “it ignores the facts, that for two decades the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PP/C) has failed to curb trafficking in illegal narcotics.

The APNU said it was calling on President Ra-moutar to “immediately ex-ecute a credible national drug strategy master plan; establish an effective na-tional enforcement structure; enforce current legislation vigorously; and equip the security forces with the as-sets to curb the trade.”

JamaicaJamaica says it expects

to receive US$71 million from the International Mon-

Fray’s legal team is con-tending that medical evi-dence of his mental disorder was rejected and the standard used to judge his mental condition had bene outdated.

They argued that a nar-row approach was taken in assessing his true mental state, and this error resulted in the conviction.

Fray was convicted in October 2009, one eight counts for illegal possession of firearm, shooting with intent, assault at common law and breaches of the Airport Act, arising from the attempted hijacking.

Although sentenced to 83 years, Fray is to serve 20 years because the sentences are to run concurrent.

Fray lost his appeal in Jamaica in 2011, to have the sentence and conviction overturned.

She threw out a chal-lenge to the electorate to vote out the People’s Part-nership in the 2015 general election if they did not want the bill.

Hundreds protested outside the Parliament building in Port of Spain when the Senate began to debate the contentious bill. The House of Representa-tives has already passed the legislation.

As tensions arouse outside, Persad-Bissessar in piloting the bill in the Senate said: “For those of the view that I am commit-ting political suicide, I am prepared to take that risk. I am not daunted. As a politi-cian and a prime minister, my interest is not for my political survival but for the people.”

There is a public out-cry and criticisms over a proposal to change the British Westminster-style voting of fi rst pass the post to a runoff system, which opposition politicians see is a move to eliminate third parties.

The b i l l s eeks to change the electoral pro-cess by introducing a run-off provision, the right to recall MPs and establishing fi xed term limits for prime ministers.

Compiled by Azad Ali

Page 6 Friday, September 05, 2014

cont’d. from page 5

Montserrat Community CollegeBoard of Governors

VACANCY NOTICE

PRINCIPAL – MONTSERRAT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Applications are invited from suitably qualifi ed persons for the post of Principal, Montserrat Community College.

JOB PURPOSETo be the academic and administrative head of the Montserrat Community College and thereby supervise and direct the academic work of the College, and the academic, administrative and other staff of the College.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

The person engaged shall hold the post of Principal – Montserrat Community College and shall perform and discharge all such powers, functions and duties entrusted to the Principal under the provisions of the Monserrat Community College Act (CAP 16.06).

PERSONNEL SPECIFICATIONSApplicants should:

• Have a post graduate degree, Masters or PhD in education, preferably in post-secondary, higher or adult education.

• Have at least fi ve years successful experience in higher education administration or teaching at the tertiary level and/or in managing a post-secondary institution.

• Have excellent oral and communication skills and human relation skills.

• Be visionary, dynamic, creative and innovative and be able and willing to work under pressure and to meet deadlines.

See full and further details for: KEY RESPONSIBILITIES, SUPERVISION, REMUNERATION and APPLICATION PROCEDUREat www.themontserratreporter.com and at www.gov.ms.

Applications are to to reach The Chairman, Board of Governors, Montserrat Community College no later than Friday, August 22, 2014.

Where truth lies?the basis of the agreements which we had, was always signed off by your local DFID offi cial so they are part of the discussions. If funds are not spent and I’ll use the global fi gure of March 31st but gen-erally, the week before March 31st, you lose those monies. And if you are asking for a decision from East Kilbride and they are slow on mak-ing the decision, I will not send that money back. We will make a decision which we believe is reasonable and realistic and defend it in any further discussions. Contin-gency funds, for example, you have somebody sick and need to go overseas, contingency funds. The contingency fund also include an allocation in the event that there is a hur-ricane or something happens on the volcano so we don’t have to run and say okay, we need some more money; we can spend it out of that. Thank God, we did not have a hurricane last year. Thank God the volcano behaved itself so there would have been a set of money which you had to send back. As the Minister of Finance, I had to make a decision and signed off by the officials because we can’t spend it unless the offi cials sign off. And I say, look: we’re going talk about it when you come to the next mission. Okay?

Now, let us understand one of the….one of the vari-ables that has happened here. Sometimes people will see us with the DFID team out liming after sessions. My statement to them, especially the new ones: as soon as you cross this line that is in the conference and the meeting starts, I am not your friend. As soon as the meeting fi nish and we close the door, we can go and have a drink, we are friends but the minute you step back inside here, we are at war again.

You had a new lady who came in as head of mission. She did not understand the Montserrat context. She was holding on for somebody or the head of unit who was on maternity leave. So she would not have been in discussions in East Kilbride in the fi rst instance and therefore, her understanding of the ar-rangement was different to the understanding of the particular head that she was holding on for. As she said to me in London in June: Reuben, you know that I am going off to Africa. The sub-stantive head is coming back so you deal with those issues with her. So whereas, yes, we have the aid memoire and as I indicate, we have still been

structure. Meanwhile, the approved target for 2014/15 has risen to 960 due to re-structuring of Finance. Once the organisational functional reviews have been completed (due March 2014) GoM will further consider headcount requirements.”

Remember, back in 1992, Chief Minister Reuben Meade said that the lay-offs in public works were caused by a re-organisation of the department which was aimed at making the work of the department more effective and more cost-effi cient. Another 40+ were put on a 3-day work week.

Was the Internal Audit Unit created at DFID’s insti-gation?

On August 1, 2014, while attempting to clarify the 2014-15 Budget Aid Memoire, the Premier said: “In terms of public sector reform, there are funds which have been provided for public sector reform and within that, the statement is very clear. The agreement with DFID in terms of funding is that our full-time employees should not go beyond 950. This is number 14 in the Aid Memoire and it states that the full-time employees currently stand at 955. This is five more than of April 2013 but we attributed that to the internal

having fruitful and frank dis-cussions but I am not any fi g-urehead in Montserrat. I am the Minister of Finance and the Premier of Montserrat and until that time, it is my right to fi ght to spend the money in the best interests of the people of Montserrat and argue about the consequences afterwards. You have not seen any nega-tive consequences.

Now one the things which you have never heard a mem-ber of team MCAP in govern-ment say—I can tell you for a fact—you have never heard Mr Kirnon say it; you’ve never heard Mr Farrell say it; you’ve never heard Mr Riley say it; you’ve never heard Jermaine say it; and when Mundo was here with us, he never say it either: We never once said our hands are tied, never once. Why? Because we are going to fi ght and if we have to say to them: no we are not accepting what you are putting on the table, we will say to them, despite the consequences, we are a gov-ernment who make decision and as long as cabinet ratify those decisions, the decisions are legal and lawful and we will defend them in any argu-ment. If we can’t agree at the public service level and the people who come dung yah a public servants, I have the right to go to the minister as two politicians and indicate to him: look, this is what I had to do because of the situation and we had developed a suf-ficient rapport that we can pick up the telephone and call one another.

Given that the Aid Memoire is a document to which the government agreed, is the Premier saying that he agreed to a document that contains false informa-tion? Was he lying each time he told us that GoM must adhere to conditions attached to aid funding or suffer the consequences? Earlier, in the interview, Mr Meade admitted that surplus contingency funds were used: “… but at least we were able to meet some spe-cial project needs from within that including spending some money to rehabilitate the road going to New Windward.” In fact, at its January 2014 sit-ting, the Legislature approved the transfer of $850,000 from the ring-fenced Contingency Fund for the New Windward road as part of the Supple-mentary Appropriation Bill No 3 of 2013. And does the premier really expect anyone believes that DFID offi cials keep the minutes of meetings in their head rather than in writing? Clearly, one glaring negative consequence of the Premier’s decisions to use surpluses without permis-

sion is DFID’s decision not to pursue a pay increase to public servants effective April 1, 2014.

With respect to the Pre-mier’s claim that he is “not any fi gurehead in Montser-rat” consider the implications of the following from the 2014-15 Budget Aid Busi-ness Case: “Governor to discourage and potentially overrule conferment of tax exemptions where economic justifi cation absent” in order to mitigate the risk (classi-fi ed as medium) that “Public service reforms in revenue and customs fail to deliver increased effectiveness and effi ciency, and / or political interference in the form of tax exemptions leading to lower revenues for GoM.”

Did the MCAP govern-ment lay off government employees?

The Premier boasts con-tinually that his government have not laid-off a single civil servant. Yet, according to paragraph 20 of the Montser-rat Budget Aid Memoire, Feb-ruary 2013: “DFID is encour-aged by progress made on the outsourcing of some govern-ment services. By January 2013 GoM had outsourced: (i) school bus services; (ii) school meals; and, (iii) clean-ing services. This exercise has resulted in the removal of 31 staff or 13.5 FTE from the public service payroll with associated redundancy costs met from the recurrent budget. This reduces GoM FTE posts from 972 in 2012 to 959. GoM said a further 7 FTE posts would be deleted, reducing the number of FTE posts to 952. Further reduc-tions through the planned GoM organisational review and outsourcing initiatives should provide opportunities to reduce this further.”

Do the people 31 people who lost their jobs from outsourcing not count as public servants in the eyes of MCAP? Is government tell-ing us one thing and DFID another? Furthermore, if government receives fund-ing for a signifi cant number of unfi lled vacant posts over several years (including 83 for 2014-15), why was it necessary to lay off any one? Per paragraph 85 of the 2014-15 Montserrat Budget Busi-ness Case: “As of February 2014 approved headcount is at 955. Whilst this appears to be a slight increase put down to requirements for a new audit office, in fact only 877 are currently fi lled. The significant numbers of vacant posts that continue year on year suggest some room for effi ciency improve-ments in the human resource

audit department which was created at their instigation so therefore, give us a break on those fi ve, fi ve additional persons. The reason why I am mentioning the 955 is that people are claiming that we can do this and we can do that. The 955 is in relation to what is set as a standard for public fi nance and pub-lic financial management that personal emolument and benefi ts should not be higher than 50% of your total spend. Ours is currently—including pensions—way beyond the 50%. If one was to deal with a salary increase without a concomitant increase in cer-tain other areas, we would go beyond that benchmark and we’ll be punished.”

Well, if the Internal Audit Unit was created just because DFID insisted on it, the Pre-mier should be ashamed for not fulfilling his duties as Minister of Finance because not only is it international best practice but also section 10 of the Public Finance (Manage-ment and Accountability) Act 2008 requires the estab-lishment of an internal audit “to review the financial management systems oper-ated by Ministries, Depart-ments, statutory bodies and public organisations.” And yes, this includes the Project

Implementation Unit.Concerning his reference

to standards for public fi nan-cial management, as indicated above, whereas government receives funding for 960 full-time employees, it only employs 877, which raises additional questions about the Premier’s unilateral decision to refuse an offer for a civil service pay increase effective April 1, 2014. According to the 2014-15 Budget Aid Memoire: “On the expendi-ture side, there has been an estimated EC$2m underspend on wages this year due [2013-2014] to unfi lled posts in the civil service, which has offset the lower than expected tax receipts. There was a similar underspend on wages in the 2012/13 budget.” “Domestic revenues in 2013/14 have been lower than were fore-cast at the beginning of the fi nancial year, in particular from income and property tax receipts. There has been limited progress in collect-ing tax arrears and little sign of an improvement in tax effi ciency and compliance. Overall domestic revenues in 2013/14 are around $EC1½ million lower than assumed in the budget set at the beginning of the fi scal year.”

Is the Project Implemen-

Page 7Friday, September 05, 2014 g

Where does the truth lie?disability.

The fact is that able-bodied persons of working age who cannot fi nd work will fi nd it extremely diffi cult to qualify for social welfare and of course, Montserrat has no unemployment benefi ts scheme.

Can government borrow money as it sees fi t?The Premier has made claims, repeatedly and dishonestly,

which suggest that GoM can borrow money as it sees fi t. For instance, on February 7, 2014 (Warren Cassell Show), he said: “When the MCAP administration came in, within the fi rst year and said if we cannot get funding from elsewhere, we will go and borrow $30 million to develop our power supply here. And people say, dem fella they are crazy or who a go pay for this $30 million? Had we not started that process, DFID would not have been in a position to say, of the $30 million, we are going to give you $23 million; just go and borrow the other seven. So it is part of your strategic approach in terms of how do you negotiate. Are you going to sit back and say me nar do nutten but me a go start to negotiate? We are simply saying if you don’t give us the money, we’re going borrow it; the contingent liability is on you. So therefore, help us out here.” However, the following authorita ve sources say otherwise:

Per section 98(2) of the Montserrat Constitution Order, “The Government shall not borrow, guarantee or raise a loan on behalf of itself or any other public institution, author-ity or person except— (a) as authorised by or under an Act of the Legislature; and (b) in accordance with any borrowing guidelines agreed with Her Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom.”

According to paragraph 20 of the 2013/14 Montserrat Budget Business Case & Summary: “As an aided Overseas Territory, Montserrat is not allowed to borrow according to HMT guidelines though one exception was made by HMG on value for money grounds (concessional loan and grant funding from the Caribbean Development Bank relating to the new power station).”

Every Appropriation Act passed under the MCAP ad-ministration contains a similar section on Restrictions. For example, Section 6 of the Appropriation Act 2014 is clear: “Notwithstanding the provisions of the Public Finance (Man-agement and Accountability) Act 2008 or any other law in force in Montserrat, the following acts, whether by the Government or by any statutory authority shall require the prior approval of a Secretary of State— (a) the incurring of any expendi-ture additional to that provided for under this Act other than expenditure fi nanced wholly by grant; (b) borrowing from any source except by means of the fl uctuating overdraft referred to in section 5; or (c) the giving of any loan guarantee.”

Has outsourcing reduced the cost of the school bus service?

Recently, the Premier publicly denigrated a former MCAP colleague in the Legislative Assembly when the opposition member dared suggest that outsourcing of the school bus service did not achieve value for money as the cost of deliv-ering this service had actually increased, which the Premier denied emphatically. It appears that opposition member was correct. Paragraph 24 of the 2014-15 Budget Aid Memoire says: “Education expenditure is an estimated 8.3% of the total 2014/15 budget, compared with a Caribbean regional average of 11.9% and a global median of 14.4% in 2011. New spend requests this year include EC$600,000 (two thirds of overall spend requests) for the school bus subsidy, following outsourcing of the service from government last year, which has signifi cantly increased the cost.”

In contrast, the Premier delivered the following convoluted and deceptive explanation about outsourcing of the school bus service during MCAP’s Hour on Radio ZJB on August 1, 2014:

You look at the expenditure side and therefore, you’re looking at where the pressures were on the budget. And I want to look at item 6 on the Aid Memoire. One was to deal with the contingency fund, less dilaster-related [sic] spending needs in the previous year; that also put some pressure on the budgets but at least we were able to meet some special project needs from within that including spending some money to rehabilitate the road going to New Windward.

One of the things which they highlighted was an overspend of half a billion [sic] dollars on the school bus service. We need to understand what is understood by ‘overspend’. Because there was no provision for these resources within the budget as discussed by the ministry then we needed to ask them for additional money in order to pay for the school bus service and therefore, we had to ask for that additional money of half of million dollars based on a contract which we have in relation to the school bus service. But we’ll come back to the school

bus situation in a bit.But just touching on the school bus service is that the

outsourcing of the school bus service was an element which was agreed on between ourselves and DFID in a prior-year discussion. I know that some of the ministers were totally against the whole element of outsourcing but because it was a condition of the aid funding, we had to agree on the outsourcing. The other element is that outsourcing of a school bus service has to be tendered, has to be negotiated and confi rmed by the Tenders Board where ministers of government do not have any say whatsoever.

What has come out of the outsourcing? Coming out of the outsourcing now is additional (of the school bus service) is an additional allocation which will be given to deal with putting up new buildings at the Montserrat Secondary School. So you’re giving on something so you outsource the school bus because it’s a condition which they have established for you and as a result of doing that you then now have the resources available for building the two additional blocks at the secondary school within the coming fi nancial year.

But here’s what government posted on its website Decem-ber 10, 2012 concerning the privatization of the school bus service (h p://www.gov.ms/2012/12/10/school-bus-service-priva sed-as-of-january-1-2013-fees-to-be-increased/):

School bus service privatised as of January 1, 2013, fees to be increased

BRADES, Montserrat – As of January 3, 2013 the school bus service will be in the hands of a private company. The Cabinet made a decision on November 29, to turn the service over to the successful tenderer. The Cabinet also noted that fees will increase to $10 for Secondary School students and $5 for Primary School students per week and will go in to effect for the new academic year in September 2013. Previously passes were $70 per term or $5 per week. Contract arrangements are presently being fi nalised with the Attorney General’s Cham-bers while the Deputy Governor’s Offi ce is also preparing to transfer all terminal benefi ts and staff to other government departments. This is one of several government services that has been earmarked for outsourcing in 2013 and is part of the Strategic Growth Plan to increase private sector growth.

The Premier is also being disingenuous when he intimates that outsourcing of school bus services occurred solely because it was a condition of aid funding since he announced in his 1992 budget speech (paragraph 19.20) that: “Moreover, it is government’s intention to privatize a number of its operations where it appears prudent to do so. To begin with, we are considering the privatization of the school bussing service and garbage collection.” Garbage collection was outsourced during his fi rst administration and school bussing under his second. Interestingly, both services have been omitted from recent Budget estimates in the past requiring subsequent supplementary appropriations.

What special qualities does Reuben T Meade possess that possibly outweigh his critical fl aws?

Some people think it’s in poor taste to reveal unfl attering truths about prominent people—particularly those in high of-fi ce. Others will think that they are irrelevant distractions to be ignored. But can we claim to support good governance, transparency and accountability when we tolerate the oppo-site? Really, can it be in Montserrat’s best interests to select as leader of government business an individual who (to borrow some words):

Lies habitually and thinks it is part of his job description to abuse his political colleagues (self-admittedly) and anyone else who dares to disagree with him?

Boycotts all media outside his control, including The Montserrat Reporter, (which he seems intent on destroying) thereby making nonsense of MCAP’s claim as being “commit-ted to open government and the participation of the peoples of Montserrat in whose name we govern and to whom we report.” He fails to realize that thousands of Montserratians and other readers prefer to receive their news from independent sources as well as the constructive role that credible media can play in the country’s development by informing and educating the public.

Views others as prey to treat like dirt or tear down in order to prop up his delusions of superiority, in other words, is a moral cannibal?

Seeks to glorify himself by degrading you, gain respect by denying any to you, make himself important by treating you like dirt, and improve his reputation by ruining yours?

Thinks that all the regard, respect, love, attention, worth, and appreciation he robbed you of now belong to him?

Look forward to hearing your answer.

tation Unit (PIU) a legally constituted government body?After dodging answering this question since the creation

of the PIU in 2009, the Premier, when interviewed by Jeevan Robinson on August 25, 2014, fi nally admitted that PIU’s operations would be “regularized” this fi scal year. Section 2.9 of the Auditor General Report for Fiscal Year 2009 says: “Our review revealed that there are several central govern-ment agencies that are operating bank accounts outside the ambit of the Treasury Consolidated Fund.” The Report listed 12 ‘below the line’ accounts, 11 of which fall within the Premier’s portfolio, including PIU’s bank account at the Bank of Montserrat. Paragraphs 55 – 57 of this report state:

55. This is contrary to the Public Finance (Management and Accountability) Act 2008 which states that all revenues should be deposited to the Consolidated Fund and all expendi-tures appropriated by Parliament. Such activities restrict the Treasury’s ability to manage government cash fl ows effec-tively and more importantly, prevent it from pooling resources in a manner that allows it to get better terms for short-term debts (overdrafts) or higher returns on investments.

56. Further, such arrangements dilute the Treasury’s responsibility to monitor all government expenditures and hence pose a fi duciary risk to government. When there are bank accounts outside the Treasury’s control it becomes more diffi cult to monitor and hence increases risk. Since transac-tions processed through these accounts are not reported publicly, they raise transparency issues and undermine the credibility of the public accounts as not all central government expenditures would be recorded in the accounts.

57. To mitigate the issues detailed above we recommend that all accounts be closed and paid into the Consolidated Fund.

Do able-bodied, unemployed persons qualify for social welfare?

We have all heard the Premier and some of his MCAP col-leagues say that there’s a signifi cant number of social welfare recipients who are able-bodied and capable of working. If this is truly the case, clearly, the Social Welfare Board has been contravening Schedule 2 of the Social Welfare Regulations (below) and with ministerial approval.

SCHEDULE 2 – ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND EN-TITLEMENT

Purpose of the Eligibility CriteriaThe purpose of these criteria is to determine which groups

of persons may be eligible to receive fi nancial assistance under the Social Welfare Act. Persons from eligible groups who do not satisfy the Means Test will not receive assistance and similarly persons who satisfy the means test but do not fulfi l any of the relevant criteria will not be entitled to help.

Overriding Qualifi cationsThe following are overriding qualifi cations in that, if an ap-

plicant and the relevant members of that applicant’s household do not fulfi l these, they will not be eligible for support regardless of any other circumstances. In order to qualify, applicants must:

● Have the legal status of Citizen or Residents of Mont-serrat

● Have not intentionally renounced an otherwise valu-able source of income in order to qualify for assistance

● Make a full declaration of their fi nancial resources, and satisfy the upper limits of income and assets currently pertaining.

● Not be in receipt of any other payment from gov-ernment by way of remuneration, pension or social security payment or other similar monies except in relation to Social Security pensioners with no other means and whose pension from social security is below the welfare threshold.

● Understand that payments will be made in respect of households and that no household will be entitled to more than one payment at any time.

2. Specifi c Criteria. Any applicant, in respect of a household, must satisfy at least one of the following criteria in order to qualify:

Age. Persons over 60 who have no means of support (this includes savings, remittances from abroad, family support in fi nance or kind or social security or pensions) and who are not in full time care

DependantsPersons unable to work but who have dependent children

and who have no other means of support;Persons rendered unable to work by the requirements of

dependent family members and who have no other support fi nancially or in kind.

Disability. Persons who cannot support themselves by reason of prolonged sickness and/or physical and/or mental

Page 8 Friday, September 05, 2014

cont’d. from page 1

www.themontserratreporter.com

Biggest Blunder

to show that all the prom-ises from visits to Dubai and elsewhere, of Shieks unknown, his insults of the UK Government, ignoring their invitations; no word on his plan to convince Allan Duncan to use funds (as he does on his own so often; see Aide Memore/s) for the port development in Little Bay to fi nance the poorly economi-cally viable port at Carrs Bay. Dubai Ports played with him and was kind not to say no outright, of course we do not know what they actually said, sending him back to provide information they already have.

In the real political world, the Premier would not wait for the election to resign him, he would do it himself. Anyone listening to him saying it doesn’t matter to him if he is not reelected should see that as the great-

est insult! He has said that over and over. Analysts know that is really insult-ing, arrogant and suicidal. His colleagues who follow him blindly often without knowing the real truty, re-gardless of how he insults them and the people, are the ones who should know

that best. They are just as suicidal,not representing the people. Of course they ask who are my constituents? A shameful question. But after they discovered he continu-ally keeps or takes forever to discuss important issues with them, and in instances the people, they should have walked away when he re-

fused to ‘change’ his ways. Now they are compounding their lack of belly, while listening to their recruits all openly campaigning against them and vying to replace them all.

We remember, this all began in 2011. The blunder was exasperated when DFID called the premier’s fantasy plans for Little Bay and port, ambitious, as he went about leaving it to Dr. Kimbugwe, who worked hard, doing the government of Montserrat’s work, to remind constantly that the Sustainable Growth Plan (SGP) was just NOT ALL about Little Bay and the port. It was about the whole island and putting the island on a growth path, using DFID’s money for the benefi t of all.

A comparison of Mont-serrat’s Aide Memoire and that of St. Helena would demonstrate the ignorance and all that is wrong with Montserrat and the one per-

son who thinks he is Mont-serrat. Can we understand why HMG is annoyed to being fed-up with Montser-rat? Do you remember how Allan Duncan, when he told us, “look what we are doing in St. Helena…and all you have to do is show justifi cation and the value of your plans. The truth is that Duncan gave the premier as long a rope, probably to show Montserrat knows what it is about, their policy since 1999. They allow us to dig our own graves. DFID knows exactly how much they can afford, which at the end is Montserrat’s loss.

Time to end it.When the people of

Montserrat opted to elect R T Meade Chief Minis-ter in 1991, it was giving him a chance to change the suspicions of most. Few of the persons voting today would know that Meade was eventually chosen to lead the NPP only after failure to recruit someone who to this day for nearly half a decade is still being wooed to become involved in seek-

ing to be elected. In fact it was his closeness to Bertrand Osborne, Meade himself, attachment to the Southern Constituency and his mother and wife’s discouragement then that caused his hesitancy and ultimate refusal.

That Meade was elected at every election since that fi rst time 1991, even after in many ways he can be described as the best of the rejects particularly af-ter the nine X system, gives rise to the belief that he will fi nally and ought to be rejected at the impending elections.

That the suspicions of him in 1991 were overlooked primarily because of the circumstances at the time continued to be manifested need are now being highlighted, explored or explained.

Plan B - Premier’s immediate choice - proceed to implement

Plan A modifi ed - pre 2011 plan - exiled from view immediately

JUS WONDERINJus wonderin about the desperation of

the MCAP Premier accusing everyone else for doing and inciting violence and the rest.

Jus wonderin since when de Premier know all these things about God when God jus about fu rid the people o he.

Jus wonderin if he suddenly fi ne God an if de preacher dem no tell him dat God is merciful and Jus.

Jus wonderin wha he me a do in a Ro-meo residence vicinity fu see people who he call hooded criminals.

Jus wonderin if he me really see any-body himself or he jus a cover fu he agents who he gat a watch fu see all who a support Romeo.

Jus wonderin if dem public servunts a

ge demself a chance to feel wha it like to be free to work honestly and fu de good o de people dem serve.

Jus wonderin de Premier no talk to de premier informed interviewer in a Mont-serrat

Jus wonderin if now de Premier a talk to de people and if people know what he tell the people in a England about the poor and the vulnerable.

Jus wonderin who dem be dat MCAP a promise NOW to look after dem after elections, dat dem can’t wuk for oldtimers.

Jus wonderin if dem me dead the last nearly fi ve years to be taking the insult now.

Jus wonderin bout dem poor elderly and vulnerable people who no see premier

Jus wonderin column is compiled from contributions by readers and from de community. Please send by email or letter, or by calling.

fu donkey years and now a elecshun time he a tek dem fu ride in the exclusion zone.

Group B creating Plan B - Premier’in the shadows at right

Note how he was described and rejected by the now deceased John Osborne in 1991. Note that the same John Osborne out of love for his son David, saved and catapulted Reuben in 2009, only for less than a year later to confi de to me his deepest regret. Who will know, the same John Osborne asked Meade to delay the passage of the Constitution.

Very early after being elected in 1991 he aban-doned his executive that helped propel him to ‘power’ and from then NPP deterio-rated to him being the only one (for NPP) elected in 1996 after all along Charles Kirnon did very poorly at the polls. David Brandt had resigned from his party, Lazelle Howes left him and Charles. Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, having left him, was elected under the NDP banner. His win the Central constituency very narrowly, a minority winner.

So what’s new, it’s time for a fi nal rejection of what he stands for.