CPP talks end in Montserrat on optimistic note

Saturday, February 14, 2004

BRADES, Montserrat (GIU): Mr John Osborne, Montserrat's Chief Minister, says discussions with British officials here this week on the Country Policy Plan (CPP) have been productive.

"I am expecting that we are going to be very successful after these long discussions. There is a lot of goodwill in England for Montserrat.

"I am really hopeful Montserrat is going take off following the discussions that we had," said Chief Minister Osborne at the end of the talks with representatives from the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).

"We are not asking for things that we want ...we are asking for things that we need and can't do without," he said.

The Chief Minister says among the key focus areas were the development of the Little Bay area, private sector development, housing and improvement of the road network on the island.

"I made the case for further assistance for the really poor people... I believe we are going to get results," said the Montserrat leader.

Tim Hatton, outgoing head of the Montserrat Desk at the DfID office in London, says the talks were very positive and comprehensive.

"We have agreed on a number of priority areas for DfID assistance over the next three years starting in April 2004 to March 2007," said Hatton.

The DfID official, who will shortly be taking up a new posting in Moscow, says among the economic priorities listed by the government is the completion of the new airport at Gerald's.

The airport is due for completion by October 2004.

Other areas of key focus, according to Hatton, are supporting the private sector development through a new project, supporting tourism and future support for housing and the Little Bay development.

"On the technical assistance side...there will be programme of support for training, development of social services...I think it is going to be a very busy programme," said Hatton, who has headed the DfID Montserrat Desk for the last three and a half years.

Both Hatton and Governor Anthony Longrigg noted that for the first time there is a sense that the private sector is getting involved.

Kenny Cassell, President of the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) says he's heartened by the pledges of support for the private sector.

"Without private sector involvement not much will happen on the island," said Cassell, a former senior civil servant.

Margaret Dyer-Howe, Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment, appealed to the British officials to consider housing as a separate and specific area, given the great demand for new homes in the wake of the losses suffered due to the volcanic eruptions.

She also wants DfID to consider a repatriation scheme for Montserratians living in England who wish to return home.

John Wilson, Minister of Communications and Works, says infrastructure development especially external transportation is vital for the island's recovery.

He also believes population growth and greater access to land are also critical areas.

"We may have to look at the special unit to deal with population growth," said Minister Wilson.

The island's population is currently just over 4,500. Prior the volcanic eruption in 1995, the Montserrat population was put at about 11,000.

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