I am somewhat perplexed and disappointed in the report I read regarding the visit to Montserrat by the Head of Britain’s Overseas Territories Department, Dr. Peter Hayes. Judging from news reports, it seems as if the most significant part of his visit was to advise Montserratians on the value of backyard gardening. BRADES, Montserrat (GIU) “Dr. Peter Hayes noted that backyard gardening was a great way to cut food costs, increase the availability of healthy fruits and vegetables, which can help with reduce the numbers of people suffering with non-communicable diseases because of bad eating habits. The remaining crops can be consolidated and sold in the marketplace and be a source of income.” Well now…. After all these years are you telling me that we still haven’t gotten it. What on God’s earth can be going on down there Montserrat? Backyard Gardening and its values existed long before I was even born? To my mind, Dr. Peter Hayes’ visit would have been of greater value if our elected Officials thought of asking the goodly Doctor the following: 1. What consideration can be given in assisting the Department of Agriculture with a reforestation program, of the barren lands now exist in the unsafe-zone, which would help to slow the washing of the soil and halt the creation of new guts and crevasses. 2. Why is it in Britain that a Montserrat Drivers License is treated and regarded less significant or differently than that of a British Virgin Islands Drivers Licenses. 3. To further assist Montserrat’s economy; what help can he give in requesting of his UK Conservative Government, the granting to British/Montserratian businesses investors or manufactured goods or locally produced products the same Excise Tax leniency now enjoyed by that of the St. Helena, Isle-of-man, Guernsey & the Falkland Islands. 4. Recognizing the fact that in many ways we have an obligation to keep Montserrat intact for future generations; did anyone thought of asking the goodly Dr. Hayes if he would consider lobbying his UK Conservative Government to grant Montserrat nationals now living in Britain free Degree Courses if upon completion of such education they were to return to Montserrat to work for a period of 2 years 5. What roll can he play in ongoing negotiations; regarding relief to passengers travelling from the UK with a Montserrat bound ticket of the high Airline/Airport Departure Tax now imposed at UK airports. How can he assist Montserrat bound passengers so that they can enjoy the same check baggage consideration as those travelling to Australia, St. Helena, Isle-of-man, Guernsey and Gibraltar. Finally, While there are many, many more questions that could have been asked and tons of help could have been sought, I would just like to end by asking: What part can Dr. Hayes play in lobbying his UK Conservative Government to granting retired and or disabled Montserratians living in the UK the opportunity to carry with then the benefits they now receive in Britain should they decide to return back to Montserrat. Backyard gardening is one thing, but there are several other important matters that required the urgent and undivided attention of such a visit by such a valuable Dignitary. Opportunities should always be used wisely. The foregoing is just my opinion, what do you think?
Posted on: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 06:40:47 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015