ZJB News Thursday, September 20th, 2001

An era has come to an end. Sir Howard Fergus presided over his final meeting in the Legislative Council today.
Sir Howard, the longest serving speaker in the British Commonwealth is retiring from parliament, after 26 years.
Through out that time he has won admiration for the firm but fair way in which he has conducted meetings in the Legislative Council, and today there was an outpouring of sentiments by members from both sides.
We begin with the Honourable Chief Minister John Osborne. Mr. Osborne, who has served four terms as head of government, noted the Sir Howard has been nominated by every administration since 1978 to serve as Speaker.
He said this is a testament to the fair and evenhanded way he has conducted the business of the House. Hot key: duration: Chief Minister John Osborne.
Former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Reuben Meade also nominated Sir Howard as Speaker when he took the reigns of power in 1991.
Today he wished the retiring speaker well but also took a swipe at the government for nominating a party member for the post of new Speaker. Hot key: duration.Member of Parliament Reuben Meade.
Sir Howard in his usual humble way accepted the kind words from members of the House.
Hot key: duration: The outgoing speaker said he was grateful for what he has achieved over the years. Hot key: duration:Sir Howard Fergus.
As mentioned before Professor Fergus has an unmatched record of service in the Commonwealth, having served as speaker for 26 years.
Deputy Speaker of the House John Wilson feels it is a daunting prospect to emulate this. Hot key: duration:
The Honourable Chief Minister John Osborne has dispelled any doubts that Gerald’s would be the location for the temporary airstrip.
Montserrat has been without an airport since the W.H. Bramble Airport was rendered inoperable in 1997 because of volcanic activity.
Since then several options have been looked at for a site for the new airport including Thatch valley, Old Quaw and Gerald’s.
While Thatch Valley and Old Quaw are said to be too expensive to develop the British Government have said they are prepared to finance the construction of a temporary airstrip at Gerald’s.
This option has been criticized by several persons including the civic group the Committee for the Redevelopment of Montserrat, which says Gerald’s has a limited runway, offers little development potential and would cause social problems, since several persons would be uprooted from their homes.
But in a statement this afternoon Chief Minister Osborne said the establishment of proper air transport is critical for the future economic development of Montserrat.
He described the helicopter service as inadequate and costly to operate.
Mr. Osborne says the government is left with no choice but to proceed with a temporary airstrip at Gerald’s. Hot key: duration:
Mr. Osborne says the NPLM government made a pledge when it came into office to explore all possible alternative for the site of a fixed wing airstrip , and it is now fulfilling that pledge. Hot key: duration: The Honourable Chief Minister John Osborne.
As we mentioned before the Committee for the Redevelopment of Montserrat is against an airport at Gerald’s.
Retired civil servant Jim Bass is a spokesman for the group. Hot key: duration:
The Government of Montserrat has taken a decision to allow two radio programmes, Labour Speaks and Back to the Drawing Board, to resume broadcast.
Both programmes were suspended in June, pending a review of Radio Montserrat’s programming.
However, Minister of Communications and Works Lowell Lewis says the programmes will go ahead once they stick within the broadcast guidelines.
Mr. Lewis says the government believes Montserratians should have access to the air waves once programmes stay within the guidelines and meet professional standards.
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