People Are Crying, Where Are The Jobs? Is Montserrat Being Played by Dfid or GoM?

Someone is messing about with Montserrat. I say that in the most direct of terms in that it's been 20 years approaching since Montserrat has been in redevelopment mode, and the conversations we have been having for the past 20 years are the very same, or similar conversations that we are having today, as we approach the anniversary of the eruption of the Soufriere Hills volcano.

I do not like wasting time in articles talking about the volcano and its devastation towards Montserrat. Devastation for the island, in my view, is a past term. The island now is looking towards a more positive future. But a positive future cannot be achieved when we are seeking to build an economy based upon promises. A positive future cannot be achieved when we are seeking to build an economy based upon hope. Montserrat needs realistic representations of economic development.

Sustainable Development for...?

For the past 20 years, we've been hearing this talk about sustainable development. Frankly, I recognize the importance of sustainable development, however, in the Montserrat context, it is fast becoming a term that I am growing more and more to loathe.

Why would I loathe "Sustainable Development" when it is a United Nations fundamental requirement in terms of the reaffirming goals for developing countries in this the 21st century?

Sustainable Development for Montserrat we have been hearing about throughout this long conversation with regard to fibre optics, geothermal, and also in terms of private sector development.

Even before the Reuben T Meade Administration, and this present PDM Administration, these terms have been thrown about Montserrat continually.

However, where is the island with regard to fibre optics?

Where is Montserrat with regard to geothermal?

Where is Montserrat with regard to private sector development?

Bring Fibre Optics On Stream

Of all the ideas for job creation, the one that in my view should be fast-tracked towards implementation is fibre optics. The global economy is rooted in Information Communication Technologies, and Fibre Optics technology for Montserrat should be pivoted at the helm in order to launch the island into the information super highway - in keeping with the global trend. If we wish to be serious players in a competitive space, we have to not only think innovative, but also act pro-active, with a sense of urgency.

Geothermal Coming?

With regards to Geothermal, Reuben T Meade - give him thanks - has done a lot of work to get geothermal moving forward on Montserrat, yet to date, we are still hearing about this insurmountable work that needs to be done. Which makes you wonder, "Is Geothermal going to happen within the next 10-15 years for Montserrat?" Or is it just the pie in the sky with the benchmark being moved further and further back each time we get closer to it?

Private Sector or Not?

Regarding private sector development, this is a critical area within a small island developing state.

In the Montserrat context, people may say that Government should not be involved in the creation of jobs. That is a delicate, and a two-pronged argument.

One of the arguments that persists is that Government should be facilitators. However, my view is this - that in a situation such as Montserrat's where you have the Government being the largest employer on island, it creates a very difficult dynamic. Technically, on Montserrat, there is no private sector to shout about.

DFID have been saying continually to Montserrat Governments, to now include the current PDM team, that the private sector needs to be fundamental in the development objectives for the island. But yet, this very same DFID turns around and says to the Government of Montserrat that they need to increase taxes and tariffs to raise more revenue.

How can you overtax an already burdened, and an already stretched economy on Montserrat, but at the same time say that you are moving towards sustainable development? It begs the question even more loudly as to whether DFID are serious about getting Montserrat on a footing where the island could be off its back and could restore itself and be self-sustaining? Is Dfid Serious about giving Montserrat what it needs, or are they playing a game of frustrating development so that in turn they can make representations to give the island even less and less aid due to decreased population size, borne out of frustration as citizens get fed up at the slow pace of growth and development.

Premier Romeo may wish to consider where we stand with Dfid, and examine if this partnership is truly a partnership or a bully arrangement of uneven proportions.

What Are The PDM Doing About Jobs?

The new Government of Montserrat - the PDM Administration - where do they stand with regard to job creation? It's been 9 months and I have been doing some canvassing, speaking to various individuals on island to get a picture as to what the jobs situation is. To use the colloquial language that has being returned via responses, "Tings slow bad!"

The PDM Administration campaigned on a mandate of job creation. I recall during electioneering they stated that factory jobs were ready to go once elected. Nine months in, where are these jobs?

The Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) was closed down. Albeit, there were reasons why it should or shouldn't be closed down (the arguments will always persist around that). However, where was the plan for continuity for the projects that the MDC were doing to continue under the PDM Administration - for them to be absorbed into the various Ministries that are part of the government's institution? Where was the plan Premier Romeo?

As far as MNI Alive understands, economic activity on the island has essentially ground to a standstill.

You can give a person hope, but that same individual needs tangible, realistic evidence in their hands to see that their lives and the lives of their families are being improved.

Premier Romeo has been busy touring the Diaspora. There's a possibility that no one has advocated for a Diaspora strategy more than this media house has done over the years. We believe in it and have so stated to the Premier on many an occasion. However, I will say to the Premier that the strategy as employed, considering the current economic situation on island, is fundamentally flawed. Flawed, in that the immediate issues impacting people on island is that of jobs.

People need jobs Premier. Without jobs people become frustrated. Without jobs, and a means to earn and increase their disposable income, people do not see and do not care about the wider, bigger picture that the Premier likes to talk about.

So Premier Romeo needs to come back to base and understand that he was elected on a powerful mandate - a 7 to 2 mandate. And that mandate said bring us jobs, improve our lives, improve the economy of Montserrat, be about the people. People first.

Are the PDM putting people first?

The Premier is approaching a year since being elected. Within politics it does not matter what all the grandeur plans are. It does not matter the talk of unity in the Legislative Assembly or on Radio Montserrat. What matters is perception.

Reuben T Meade was removed from office because of perceptions about his leadership and execution - wrongly or rightly. The perception that persisted for R T Meade is very fast becoming the perception that is persisting for the leadership of the PDM Administration.

The leadership is the one who guides the enterprise, and unless the leadership of the PDM Administration - the Government of Montserrat - understands that it needs to lead with authority, it needs to lead with a mandate of job creation, it needs to lead with a mandate of getting Montserrat back on a proper footing.

That it needs to lead with a mantra of giving DFID the tough talk to let them know that Montserratians are not beggars. The island thanks them for their assistance these past 20 years, but Montserrat needs to know if they are serious, and are not messing us about? That is the question that ought to be on the table.

The leadership must stand up for the people of Montserrat instead of seeking to be smiling partners with the United Kingdom - a system that is really not working so far for Montserrat.

“It’s about jobs."

Without jobs, the prospect for crime increases on island. Does the PDM Administration wish to be the Administration that oversees any form of crime increase on Montserrat due to the fact that they've done a very abysmal job of creating jobs thus far, and putting more monies in the pockets of Montserratians? Consider that.

People need jobs.