Elizabeth Piper-Wade
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Just look around you, Montserrat is a Paradise.
The scenery, the landscape.
People pay big money to see a sunset like the ones we take for granted everyday.
However that does not negate the fact that per capita Montserrat is the most corrupt place in the world.
Not 5000 people and so much problem.
All the petty crimes.
And the heinous ones too.
To include not in any particular order.
1. Misappropriation of funds,
2. Rapes
3. Pedophilia
4. Prostitution
5. Break and Entry
6. Robbery
7. Child physical abuse
8. Spousal physical abuse
9. Fights
10. Bullying
11. Drug trafficking and related irregularities
12. Political espionage of other Parties
13. Beastiallity
14. Tax evasion
15. Money laundering
16. Human trafficking
17. The occasional human disappearances
18. The occasional murder
You know the rest. It all happens here. We turn a blind eye to most of them.
Some of these things I was born and met them happening. They are not new.
Some people like to say it's only now these things are happening
And Montserrat was never like this, and it’s the new-comers amongst us.
Nonsense! Crap!
Montserrat is not any different to any other island or country.
Minimal crime yes, because the population is small.
But there is crime.
And majority committed by it's nationals.
It's only when they are caught, it's people you know; then people feign surprise.
WE SHOULD STOP PRETENDING THAT WE ARE SO PURE.
Of-course there's lots of good in and about Montserrat.
Like I said the island is beautiful.
Especially now after the rains.
The lush green, the flora and fauna and the vegetables and fruits to come.
Top this off with sun, sea and ash.
And an active volcano.
Marvellous.
Not forgetting the ever frequent hurricane Season.
The people for the most part are friendly and sociable.
The intimacy of the island is such that everybody knows everybody.
This could work for, or against you.
There's not much in terms of development industry wise.
Or even in entertainment.
You have to create your own. (and this is especially for the very matured and the children)
So there's still a quaintness to the island.
And like everywhere else people will find other things to occupy themselves, out side of the societal norms.
From hikes, beach hang outs and related activities,
Illegal drugs, illicit sex, gambling, etc,etc.
To live on Montserrat you must have money or know somebody who does.
Just like anywhere else people have to survive.
Man must live.
The biggest shareholder when it comes to employment is Government.
We import the works.... we export nothing but our school leavers and people who grow tired.
The Government survives basically on a subsidy from Britain.
I say basically because of the progress that has been made.
However billions of dollars have been pumped into this small place.
Hard to tell but true.
Every year there's a batch of children leaving school,
And from the above mention you will notice that some of them will suffer...... unless.
As for the non-nationals who live amongst us.
I say a big thank you.
You came, for whatever reason; and some of you stayed.
You are helping to develop and keep this country viable.
That needs recognition.
I hear some of what you have to put up with.
This too happens across the islands.
Nevertheless to say it's not right.
Because people are insecure, it happens. I could imagine especially for Montserrat
Because every thing is small and close, and seemingly not enough to go around.
However a lot of the times what you take or do nobody else wants.
But when you have it or is doing it, it's suddenly good to have or it is a nuisance in some people's eyes.
So you see one may call it a sacrifice, But I will call it Love and Patriotism.
You have to love this country to stay here.
You have to be patriotic to put up with some of the things that happen here.
Montserrat's a lovely place to live and work if you can find work, and or to retire.
(remember you must have an income)
Montserrat is no different to the other Islands in terms of crime.
In the meantime however;
We need some work
Government must start to put in place strategies
For job Creation, apprenticeship and entrepreneurship.
The transportation system needs to be organized to transfer people around more efficiently.
This includes land, seaport and airport
The Health services need upgrading.
The Education System needs to incorporate a way by which parents are held accountable for their child’s behaviour.
People in the top Ranks of society should be held accountable for any misconduct.
The judicial services needs a revamp too.
The courts should not allow outside interference in legal matters, political or otherwise
Montserrat does not have much to offer in terms of organized recreation.
Now you need to eat so get the back-yard garden going.
There's so much work to be done, if we really want to appear different.
We can do it too.
I will always live here like some of the others, and here's where the sacrifice does come in.
You have to do without a lot of things.
Remember we do not produce much
So we have to import many.
That means port, customs and import charges, are added expenses.
Needless to say we have to coexist, we share the same space literally.
If we actually help each other more, we would do better.
Let us not live in denial
Just put away the selfishness.
Nobody is better than anybody else.
Of course you may have more to eat, spend or wear.
Keep in mind though,
If your eyes are removed you will not see.
If your head is removed you will die.
Do not get it twisted.
EPW
