(Excerpts of Dr. Friday’s Press Statement)
La Soufriere has not erupted explosively since April 22, 2021. While we are thankful for that we know that the danger is not over. The scientists have told us that the volcanic activity can change and become violent again without much warning.
We can hope that does not happen, but we must understand that hope is not a strategy for dealing with the danger: we must plan and be ready to execute the plan. This might seem an obvious thing to do but based on the experience of the last two months, it bears repeating.
The government has told people to return to the orange zone, up to the dry river on the windward side and to Petit Bordel on the leeward side. We have already begun to hear many accounts of shortcomings in the process of returning people to their homes.
When the evacuation took place, people were anxious and even scared about what was to come. They were forced to adjust to living in shelters or with friends and relatives in crowded arrangements. Some of those accommodations did not have the most basic amenities: beds, enough bathrooms, and sufficient water.
Though many have returned home, most will continue to live in those temporary facilities away from home for some time to come. We have a duty to make every effort make their lives as comfortable and dignified as possible while away from home. Stop the partisanship! Stop treating people seeking shelter as though they are seeking handouts. They are not. They have a right to expect support from the government and from the rest of us. They have a right.
So, any cases where people are made to feel that they are not entitled to the support provided by so many donors at home and abroad must be exposed and rooted out.
No partisan consideration should be used to decide who gets help, when they get help and what sort of help they get. In other words, the donated supplies must be given out according to need. It should not be that the best is given to some politically favoured persons and the remainder to rest of the people. The same goes for the supplies bought by the government with the money allocated for the purpose by parliament in the Supplementary Estimates.
Take for example, the allocation of $1million for purchasing appliances for persons whose appliances were destroyed or damaged and the $6.5m allocated to repair and rebuild homes: who will get those appliances? Whose home will be rebuilt or repaired first or at all? How much will politics determine the answers to those questions? Based on recent history and on the many stories we are already beginning to hear about the present volcano crisis relief efforts, the fear is that it will play too big a role.
How is the return being managed?
Many people have returned to the Orange Zone communities. Does the Government have a plan for the return of people and the clean-up communities? We have seen that the government was not ready to meet the needs of people evacuated, especially in the first two weeks of the process. There were literally horror stories of hardship and unnecessary pain inflicted on people.
The challenges of continuing to assist people who return home can prove to be greater logistically. These include the challenges of providing food and other necessary supplies. How are they getting these things to people? Can we have confidence that NEMO and other government agencies will be up to the task? The initial evidence is troubling.
The clean-up effort is proving to be haphazard. Who is in charge? BRAGSA or ULP political operatives? Are the local people being employed to do the clean-up and so earn money to help them to make ends meet in this difficult time?
What is the long-term recovery and rebuilding plan?
To be most effective and to give the best chance of success is for there to be a national task force to plan the recovery and rebuilding the communities devastated by the volcanic eruptions. We need a broad-based, inclusive approach. This means bringing together people from all areas of society with needed experience and skills to work and advise over the next year or more to guide the process.
Rebuilding must be guided by principles that promote resilience and sustainability. Also, a comprehensive environmental assessment must be done to assess damage to habitats, animal, and fauna.
Ten Weeks, No Charges
The New Democratic Party reiterates its call for Senator and Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, Ms. Ashelle Morgan, to step-down or be suspended from that position pending the outcome of investigation into allegation that was made against her.
It has been ten weeks since the alleged brutal attack by Senator and Deputy Speaker, Ms. Ashelle Morgan, Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Mr. Karim Nelson, and another male person upon Mr. Cornelius John, a senior citizen, on the night of 13th April, 2021 while he was in the sanctity of his home. We repeat our call on Commissioner of Police Mr. Colin John and Director of Public Prosecutions, Ms Sejilla McDowall to conduct an impartial, transparent investigation and to bring charges against the alleged perpetrators of this attack based on the evidence. If, as it is alleged, Mr. Cornelius John committed any offence; he too should be investigated and charged as warranted.
This serious matter must not be made a political issue. The alleged assailants must be brought to justice. It cannot be the proper functioning of the criminal justice system, especially the police, that ten weeks after the shooting no one has been detained and no one has been charged. The reported comments by Commissioner of Police Mr. Colin John, in the Searchlight newspaper about cross complaints being made implies, that charges are forthcoming. Is there a credible reason for delay?