According to former Chief Minister Rueben Meade, “Funds of aid from the British Government to Montserrat appear to be frozen.”  When asked to elaborate, Meade stated, “Since the last quarter of 2005, no evidence exist of any British funded projects being implemented.  This remains true currently to date, as we are now in the fourth month of this year.  Now, based on that, the implications are that projects have been frozen.  Having said that, one can look at everything else being funded by the British as being frozen.”

The Department for International Development (DfID) has indicated that the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) is being formalized with the sole purpose of managing the implementation of development projects in Montserrat.  Initially scheduled to become operational by the beginning of 2006, DfID announced that it would not be until the final quarter of 2006 that MDC will be able to come on board.

In the midst of what some are referring to as a diplomatic delay, evidence of Montserrat’s struggle for economic stability remains obvious.  Based on this evidence, whom does one point a finger at?

One case in point includes the Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB) who faces the challenge of rejuvenating Montserrat’s Tourism industry.  According to the MTB’s Director, Ms. Ernestine Cassell, the ministry has seen a number of successes with regards to positive results from aggressive marketing campaigns that targeted large international markets, as well as in the Caribbean.  Newly established international air links incorporated with vacation packages featuring Montserrat with neighboring islands is one of many new initiatives gained by such marketing endeavors.

The MTB was also able to generate exposure for Montserrat in a six-page spread in Compass, a leading yachting publication in the Caribbean.  Since this featured article, a noted increase of yachts in Montserrat’s harbour is evident.  As related in Compass’s article, “Once a Mecca for celebrities and the elite, the island of Montserrat is not only home to the majestic Soufriére Hills Volcano... but also a ‘must do’ destination for yachties in the know...  Today, the resilient island... has rebuilt and invites the yachting community to experience the warm hospitality of the ‘Emerald Island of the Caribbean’...”

Ms. Cassell says, “Some of the increase can be attributed to this article but not all.  In addition to that our marketing and promotion efforts in our collateral pieces, such as our new brochure, website, and basic promotional activities in terms of PR, are complimenting the results of this increase of visiting yachts to Montserrat.”

Ironically, the success of the increased number of visitors to Montserrat’s once abandoned harbour has highlighted yet another issue, among many, which has lain stagnant without being addressed.

As is all too evident in these photos of Montserrat’s harbour as it exists today, new comers to this harbour can’t help but to notice that their view of one of the world’s best kept secrets includes the rusting wreckage of an environmentally unfriendly grounded barge.  What exactly then is the first impression?

Many residents question the productivity of inviting ‘yachties’ to come to Montserrat when the facilities to accommodate this kind of visitor do not exist.  Admitting that they’ve received no complaints, the MTB assures that a marina is indeed a current priority.  The Director says, “Currently the MTB is working with the Little Bay Steering Committee to carry out a marina development feasibility study and also a yachting study, as they go hand-in-hand.  These studies will serve to address if a marina is possibly.  If so, it will determine what kind, size, location, and what facilities should be put in place.”

Mr Fred Campbell, Interim Project Manager for Little Bay Development, said that the removal of this grounded barge “is a priority for me.  My concern is that it is extremely unsightly.  Second, it is resting on a reef, one of our dive attractions.  Third, it could be a hazard in the event of a hurricane or hurricane force winds.  If the feasibility results are positive, then the removal and disposal of the barge will take on additional priority.”

In response to the question when this is likely to happen, Campbell said, “Not likely to see very much happen before the establishment of the Montserrat Development Corporation.  So this would be about the October time frame.  Hence, MDC would have to be operable prior to any projects being completed.”

The circumstances of Montserrat’s current development woes are well illustrated in this example of one issue surrounding the country current economic instability.  Little Bay’s development, along with every other proposed developments project -- some several years old, exists in a frozen state of limbo as Montserrat waits for the British Governments’ MDC to become a fully functional entity. 

Should this study be successfully implemented and concludes that the feasibility of a new marina is recommended, Montserrat must continue to tread water, as it waits desperately for the British Government to show up with rescue in the form of life preserving British-funded aid.