Members of Montserrat’s National ICT Council and Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation facilitators Lasantha De Alwis (standing 2nd from left) and Marcel Belingue (sitting 2nd from left).

BRADES, Montserrat – Two senior officials from the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation Lasantha De Alwis and Marcel Belingue are on island facilitating a workshop on ICT Development and Management for Montserrat.

The workshop was organised by the National ICT Council to expand on the National ICT Policy, Strategy and Implementation Plan approved in 2012 by the Government of Montserrat. Representatives from the relevant public and private agencies are attending the three-day workshop at the Montserrat Cultural Centre and are fleshing out the targets and actions to adopt Montserrat’s National ICT Plan.

In his opening remarks, Acting Premier the Honourable Minister Charles he was proud to attend the first ICT Capacity building workshop entitled. “In June 2012 my Government approved the first National ICT Plan. In September that same year the Plan was launched, ably supported by local ICT interests as well as regional and international ICT partners. As you are aware this medium term ICT Plan is a national approach to integrating ICT in government’s strategies and developmental programmes. The Plan has been developed to support the achievements of the Sustainable Development Plan goals and vision.

“The MCAP Government has accepted that ICT has the potential to strengthen and develop more efficient and productive governance and business systems as well as to define new types of jobs and industries. It is therefore important that we appropriately harness the human capital and talent to enhance organizational and individual performance.

“Further, my government recognizes that in order to be competitive we must not only purchase technological hardware and software but must invest in the training and development of our people. This training demonstrates government’s commitment to build, nurture and preserve a highly skilled cadre of officers that will embrace and utilise ICT to become more effective and consistent in the delivery of excellent services to customers,” Kirnon stated.

The minister encouraged the senior officers to lead and support the diversification and transformation of the economy using ICTs. He asked them to ensure that the strategy and implementation plan are in sync, adding that the time to innovate and manage transition within the ICT sector has never been so great.

The Commonwealth Telecommunication Organisation (CTO) is one of Montserrat’s international partners committed to supporting the execution of the National ICT Plan as well as building ICT capacity for citizens. Montserrat is now an ICT Sector member of the Commonwealth Telecommunications which allows the island to access benefits including national and regional courses, fellowships and opportunities to raise its national profile.

Date of Addenda Issue: 14:00 HRS Thursday 23 May 2013
Documents are available from:www.gov.ms

New Date of Tender Return: 12:00 HRS Wednesday 5th June 2013. Tenders will be opened at 14:00 HRS on Wednesday 5th June 2013 by the Public Procurement Board.

Tenders should be returned to:
The Chairperson
Public Procurement Board
Ministry of Finance and Economic Development
Government Headquarters
Brades
Montserrat

Interior of one of the new classrooms at Lookout Primary School.

BRADES, Montserrat – The plans for the Lookout Primary School Expansion Project are progressing, says Director of Education Glenn Francis.

Over the coming weeks, the school will relocate from the existing premises and move temporarily into the completed wing. “While there work will commence on the reconfiguration and rehabilitation of the existing buildings, which is expected to be completed in time for the start of the new academic year. At that time the school will occupy both sets of buildings while the new sports/assembly hall and associated site works is being constructed,” Francis explained.

“New furniture and equipment are expected to be ordered and shipped to Montserrat in time for September. All of the construction work is expected to be completed during the first half of 2014. The school is expected to be set up as a modern primary school with up to date equipment which hopefully should lead to improved student outcomes.”

The EC$9.9 million expansion project is being funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).

The workshop, which began on Tuesday, is being held as part of the Caribbean Development Bank’s 43rd Annual Board of Governors meeting.

Sessions focus on Applied Management and Modelling Techniques for female-owned micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and is designed to prepare a cadre of 39 female trainers across the region. The workshop’s aim is to allow business owners and managers to make informed technical, financial and market competitive decisions in a timely manner, without deferring to a professional.

Rogers is the owner of The Pastry Barn and also designs jewellery and clothing. She will be required to train other female small business owners to use the same techniques learned in St. Lucia.

According to a release from the Governor’s Office, at a recent NDPRAC meeting it was decided that there will be changes to access to Zone C. Currently visitors must report on entry and on exit to Special Constables stationed at the entry gate.

As of June 1, “residents and visitors to the island will be required to report to either Brades or Salem police stations to register and receive an Entry Permit to Zone C. There is no fee for the permit, but applicants are required to acknowledge the safety terms and conditions. The entry gates will be opened from 8 am to 4 pm every day. Permit holders are permitted to enter and exit at their own risk unsupervised. A brochure giving information on the safety procedures to Zone C is now available at both police stations.

“No persons are allowed in Zone C without a permit or after hours. Vehicles that do not exit prior to 4 pm will be locked inside and the occupants will have to leave on foot. Zone C is still a controlled hazard area and access to Zone V is not permitted under any circumstances. Therefore, any persons found in contravention of the new registration, permit, access procedures and safety regulations will be expelled.

“Additional sirens are being installed inside Zone C. The sirens will sound every day at 1530, 30 minutes before closing time to remind visitors to leave the area before the gates are closed for the night. If the sirens sound at any other time, the area must be evacuated immediately.

“Everyone is urged to listen to ZJB and check the police website (www.police.gov.ms) for a series of tips on the new conditions of entry and to ensure that the new procedures are followed,” the notice stated.

Zone C comprises Cork Hill, Weekes, Foxes Bay, Richmond Hill, Delvins and extending out 500 metres to sea, is part of the Exclusion Zone.

Premier Meade Delivers Address @ 43rd Annual (CDB) Board Of Governors’ Meeting

The Hon. Premier Meade acting in the capacity of governor of the British Overseas Territories: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos Islands, and Montserrat delivered this address at the opening ceremony of the 43rd Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of (CDB) Caribbean Development Bank held in St. Lucia:

43rd Meeting Of CDB Board Of Governors (Opening Statement By Premier Meade) in St. Lucia

The conference is held prior to the start of the hurricane season which is June 1 to enable all government agencies and community groups to have their emergency plans finalised and to get a full picture of how prepared everyone is.

Presentations will be given on the predictions for the season; DMCA’s preparedness; Peripheral Threats such as road, water supply and agency planning; and communications systems training.

There will be breakout sessions to aid in the finalisation of hurricane plans.

DFID Review Team ( left to right) Alan Clarkin, Tom Kelly, and Kato Kimbugwe.

BRADES, Montserrat – Montserrat received an improved rating following the end of the final review of the Strategic Growth Programme from DFID but has work to do in several key areas including tax reforms.

According to a statement from the Department for International Development (DFID), the government “sustained its commitment to the reforms process since the mid-term review reported in October. Good progress has been made in meeting February 2013 targets in most areas. The team recognises that some elements of the MoU reform process will need time to be embedded in GoM Departmental work plans.”

The report highlighted work in the areas of Investment policy, Tourism, and access as successful.

“Good progress can be reported on outsourcing but GoM should ensure that implementation plans are consistent. The review team asked GoM to set out an action plan to secure a postal code system for Montserrat by August 2013,” the report noted.

DFID said that performance has been below expectations in the following areas: Tax reforms, Review of regulatory functions; and Institutions.

“Faster progress on regulatory planning and on tax reforms is an urgent priority. The review team requested an action plan to be set out by end June for regulatory enhancements, drawing on regional institutions and work already in train at the regional level. We underlined the importance of clear plans in this area given upcoming investments in geothermal, fibre-optic and access. In the area of tax, we asked for ToR for an action plan to be delivered by 24 May. This plan needs to be delivered by August 2013. Appropriate social policy assessments need to be factored into this work.

The review team said they “were pleased at how GoM has stepped up its efforts on communicating the purpose of the MoU reforms since October. This was recognised by representatives from the private sector with whom the review team consulted. They also noted that the Montserrat Development Corporation (MDC) was developing economic and financial models that will provide a clear picture of the benefits to GoM from prospective investments in Little Bay and Carr’s Bay investments. Further technical support will be needed to underpin this work.”

They also found evidence that the MDC was working hard to engage with prospective investors for a new port and landside developments. Investment proposals need to be considered carefully, including how any concessions compare to investment schemes offered in the UK.

The review was conducted from May 15 to 21, with the DFID team comprising of Tom Kelly, Kato Kimbugwe, Alan Clarkin. The met with government and department heads to discuss a range of issues related to investment and immigration policy, environmental management, access and communications. Meetings were also held with members of the private sector and the Opposition.

The SGP came about as a result of the Memorandum of Understanding which was signed between Montserrat and the UK in May 2013. In order for Montserrat to receive considerable financial support for development projects such as the new town, port and geothermal the government needed to make reforms in several key areas to make the island more attractive for investors and also to offer better value for money in its delivery of services.

To learn more about the SGP and the reforms, visit www.gov.ms/movingforward.

The settlement will enable continued provision of essential services, including assistance across health, education services and improving sea access and safety at the airport for the 2013/14 financial year.

The increased financial injections come as a result of GoM’s submission of significant budget pressures arising from capital replacement costs, rising pension costs and on-going financial liabilities. DFID has increased funding across these areas to address these pressures.

In summary the budget settlement includes the following;

i. EC$57.3m for the recurrent budget – increased from EC$52m in 2012/13
ii. EC$2m to meet critical gaps in public services
iii. EC$3m to settle GoM outstanding financial liabilities
iv. Pension costs increased to EC$1.3m
v. Improvements to sea and air access increased by EC$1.5m. Further funding to improve sea and air access should provide an enabling environment for business activity.
vi. New funding of EC$1.8m to set up a new capital replacement budget
vii. New funding of EC$1m to strengthen the Audit function
viii. Improve governance by providing an office for the Opposition.

DFID said its “continued commitment to Montserrat is reflected in the budgetary increase. This budget settlement provides GoM with a strong financial footing for the 2013/14 fiscal year. It clears outstanding liabilities, invests in the public sector and strengthens governance.

Photo Caption: Whit Monday press conference to announce approved Budget Support for 2013/14 with DFID officials and Ministers from the Government of Montserrat.