The anticipated visit of Jamaica’s Prime Minister, Bruce Golding, to Montserrat is reported as a success because of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
According to Montserrat’s Press Officer, Mr. Justin Cassell, “Jamaica’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Bruce Golding, wound up a one day whirlwind visit to the volcanic island of Montserrat on Saturday, July 6, 2008, saying he was more than pleasantly surprised at the extent of the rebuilding efforts in this British Overseas territory.”
The Montserrat Government reveals that “while on Montserrat, Prime Minister Bruce Golding engaged in a consultative session with members of the Montserrat Parliament. He also met with the island’s Governor, H.E. Mr. Peter Waterworth and was hosted at a reception involving scores of Jamaican national residents on Montserrat.”
Prime Minister Bruce Golding and his entourage were privy to tours of the island’s volcano observatory and an incursion into the volcanic exclusion zone. Mr. Bruce Golding also interacted with residents of Montserrat in the new residential areas of the Look Out community. This included a sheltered accommodation for senior citizens, where he hosted a press conference.
The Jamaican Prime Minister’s entourage included his Minister of Tourism; the High Commission of CARICOM & Montserrat, the Assistant Secretary - General (CARICOM) Trade & Economic Integration; the Permanent Secretary - Prime Minister’s Office; his personal assistant; the Press Officer; and camera operator.
According to the Government of Montserrat, “The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) pledges Jamaican support and cooperation, in Montserrat in areas of cultural enhancement; tourism; education and health cooperation; port development; agricultural cooperation; technical skills enhancement; work permit waivers; and general provisions.
The Government Information Unit (GIU) says, “The Chief Minister of Montserrat, Dr. Lowell Lewis, welcomed the areas of support from Jamaica. He noted that the Jamaican Prime Minister’s recall that Jamaica had participated successfully in the construction of the CARICOM village to house persons made homeless with the eruption of the Souffriere Hills Volcano on Montserrat, since 1995.”
Montserrat’s Government reports that “at least two-thirds of the 40 square mile island of Montserrat has been left desolate by volcanic activity, including pyroclastic flows, mudflows, and eruptions. Some 3,000 of 5,000 remaining population on Montserrat are Montserratians. While the remainder of the 11,000 islanders are being forced to live in the United Kingdom and other Caribbean islands.”
Mr. Cassell says, “The visit to the British Overseas Territory of Montserrat has been described in the local media as a success both in public relation terms and bringing attention to the focus on the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Montserrat as a member of the Caribbean community.”
By: Karen ‘Lioness’ Allen
Freelance Journalist
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