St Helena : St. Helena News Stories for Week Ending 17 September 2004
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 17.09.2004 (Article Archived on 01.10.2004)
Find out what's been happening on St. Helena this week.
Governor Hollamby visits the Agriculture and Natural Resources Department.
On Thursday 9th September Governor Hollamby visited the A&NRD as part of his programme prior to his departure on 29th September. Recently A&NRD held an ‘away day’, which, due to other commitments the Governor was unable to attend, Thursday’s visit gave the Governor a chance to see the different sections of the department and to speak to the employees and the Heads of Section.
The Chief Agriculture and National Resources officer (CANRO) gave a tour of the main office then the Governor commenced his visit to the different sections.
The Governor visited the Fisheries section, the Sawmill, the Animal Surgery, the Conservation and Silvilculture nurseries, the Coffee bean processing room the Poultry unit and the Bio-control facility. The Senior Agricultural Assistant Fred Duncan also gave an interesting demonstration of how drip irrigation works.
Each Section Head/employees of sections explained the purpose of their different roles and discussed important issues in each of their sections. Where possible, demonstrations were given.
Gerald Benjamin, Head of the Fisheries section discussed the threat of illegal fishing, and said the department is monitoring the situation to the best of their ability and are communicating with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly on the issue. Gerald also mentioned the sailing of the Brigette on the 11th September, the Brigette (renamed Atlantic Rose) is heading for Walvis Bay with her four-main crew Cyril and Brian Young (who own the vessel), Errol Thomas and George Furniss. The purpose of this voyage is to enable the Brigette to be inspected. The result of this inspection will possibly enable the owners to obtain a fishing licence to fish in St Helena waters.
The Forestry Officer, Myra Young and the Sawmill manager Patrick Henry gave a tour of the Sawmill and explained how they are now working towards the Forestry management plan. The sawmill now only cuts timber for customer’s orders (supply on demand), which reduces the amount of timber stored with no guarantee of sale. There is still a big demand for firewood and by replanting, there are young plantations, which will ensure there is firewood for the future.
The Animal surgery has recently been refurbished; there is a consulting room and a recovery unit alongside the actual operating room. The staff of this section were recently trained to perform castrations, spaying and artificial insemination. Kerry one of the sections members of staff advised that the public are encouraged to bring their domestic animals to the surgery, should they have any problems. This section also has a fully equipped bus, which enables them to visit farm animals island wide. The surgery is a small but impressive section, which the staff hopes to develop with better equipment and better facilities.
The Conservation and Silviculture nurseries are full of young trees waiting to be planted in available land to add to the natural forests on the island. Vincent Williams Senior Forestry Assistant and Gary Mercury explained how the young trees are cared for in their delicate stage until they are strong enough to be planted in their natural habitat around the Island.
Fred Duncan demonstrated the drip irrigation system, which could be used with just water or fertiliser. Fred said that 45% of the farmers are now using the system which saves approximately 50-60% water.
Nicola Crowie, Agricultural Assistant gave a demonstration of how the coffee bean is processed, then it was on to the Poultry unit. Here eggs are incubated until they hatch, the chickens are then cared for until they are three-weeks old, at this age they are sold. Arthur March the Acting Agricultural Development Officer said the department is trying to encourage the private sector to breed/rear chickens for meat production.
The last section to visit was the Bio-control unit where predator insects are raised. These insects are monitored in controlled environments from larvae to adult stage; they are then introduced into areas where the pest insects are known to cause problems. The predator insects attack pests such as the Mediterranean fruit fly, which at the moment is one of the most destructive pests.
Governor Hollamby was impressed with the sections he visited and congratulated the A&NRD team for their hard work and dedication. Yet another department is showing that they are working towards the Islands strategic objectives numbers 4 & 8. Developing a Healthy Community in a Safe Environment and Protecting and Conserving the Environment.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
15 September 2004
Certified Accountant Technician (CAT) Students
Students studying the Accounting Technicians course have received their results for the June 2004 examinations.
On St Helena 20 students sat 28 papers and achieved an overall pass rate of 57% (75% for SHG employees). There was a success rate of 80% at Advanced Level (85% SHG employees) and 73% at the Introductory Level (67% SHG employees).
The CAT course was the brainchild of Mary Stewart, the last Chief Auditor, who apart from performing the administration duties for the training also tutored some of the students. Since Mary has left the Island the administration has been handed on to the Financial Secretary Linda Clemett who also tutors some of the students.
There are 10 levels/modules to the course and students must pass 9 exams to qualify. As students are at different levels it is difficult to combine training. Currently the tutors are Lyn Thomas private sector, tutoring levels 1&2, Dave Tyler SHDA Managing Director – level 3 and Linda Clemett Financial Secretary – level 4. As there are only three tutors, students who are studying above level 4 are studying independently, bearing in mind the tutors are always there to obtain advice from or bounce ideas off.
The students range from SHG employees to employees of companies in the private sector, which shows the Island is making combined efforts to achieve number 2 of the Islands strategic objectives which is to Improve the standard of Education for the people of St Helena. Dave Tyler has expressed an interest in getting SHDA more involved with the administrative and coordinating role on courses such as this, as he feels the Island should encourage personnel whether Government or Private to advance further in the accountancy field.
The CAT course is a UK qualification, which is recognised internationally. Linda Clemett commented that the students should be congratulated for their hard work and determination, she added that if they continue to do well we should have a fresh batch of home grown qualified accountants in the near future.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
15 September 2004
St Helena’s first Demographic working group.
A Demographic Working Group has been set up, the overall purpose of which is to consider the ageing population. There are implications for Health and Education, but other stake holders have an interest as well.
The dictionary meaning of the word demography is the study of births, deaths, disease etc as illustrating conditions of life in communities. St Helena’s population is declining. The annual birth rate is falling, more people leave the Island for overseas employment and the social and medical services have a bigger demand to care for the increasing elderly population.
The Group, appointed by the Governor, is made up of:
Chairman, Hon Eric Benjamin
Vice Chairperson, Miss Pamela Lawrence (Chief Education Officer)
And members:
Ms Linda Clemett (Financial Secretary)
Dr Corinda Essex (Chief Development Officer)
Mrs Ivy Ellick (Chief Administrative Health & Social Services Officer)
Mr Anthony Green
Mrs Leeanne Henry
Miss Kerry Yon
Mrs Cynthia Bennett
The working group will review and report on the current demographic situation including falling rolls for primary schools and how this will affect future teaching and administration needs as well as the implications for an ageing population, including health and social care, staff provision and training, home-based care needs, hospital based geriatric and intensive care and hospital infrastructure.
The Group will make recommendations on the financial implication of any proposals and shall report all findings to St Helena Government.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
15 September 2004
Key Posts – Who, What, When, Where, Why?
In 2003 the Key Posts Policy was submitted to the Department For International Development (DFID) for approval. The policy was created after it became obvious that the Island was losing key staff as employment opportunities opened up overseas. Retention of ‘Saints’ was one policy goal of the Key Posts policy; encouragement to ‘Saints’ to return to St Helena to fill Key positions and in turn reduce the number of Technical Cooperation Officer posts – posts filled by expatriates.
St Helena Government made efforts to reduce staff attrition by implementing various incentives such as a pay award in October 2002, the Employment After Retirement Policy and employing mature persons for SHG without them having to sit an entrance exam. However it was clear that skilled persons were needed to fill key posts that were becoming vacant by mainly retiring personnel.
St Helena Government aims to localise as many posts as possible. All posts are advertised at local rates first. If suitable candidates cannot be attracted through local recruitment, the Head of Department must justify the post as being a key/strategic post and put this justification forward for consideration through the Personnel Department.
Once a post is approved as a Key Post it is advertised locally and overseas. The Key Post recruitment is ‘open’ – meaning any suitably qualified candidates can apply, however prior consideration is given to suitably qualified candidates of St Helenian status. The recruitment of an expatriate to a Key post is justified under the Immigration Policy, which states - people who do not have St Helenian status may apply for jobs in SHG. The Public Service Commission will consider these applications in accordance with the Policy Statement. All persons recruited to Key Posts are medically and security vetted.
If the Public Service Commission (PSC) satisfy themselves that an applicant has fulfilled the requirements, a work permit will not be required as the person will be in service of the Crown. All the recommendations of the PSC are submitted to the Governor for final approval before appointments are made.
Salary for Key posts varies due to the grading of the post. An obvious statistic that shows the Key Post policy is achieving what it was created to do, is the fact that there are currently five persons in Key posts in SHG, three of whom are St Helenians. Having a policy such as this, SHG is providing an incentive for qualified St Helenians abroad to return home and those here on St Helena to remain here.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
15 September 2004
Roads receive face-lift.
For those of you who drive or walk along the country roads, you would have noticed that some of the roads feel and look wider and cleaner.
The Public Works and Services Department (PW&SD) have a road section, which consists of 44 workmen, one superintendent and a foreman, this section is divided into teams. During the past few months, two of these teams have been assigned to the cleaning of road verges in the country areas, namely from White Gate to Hutts gate and Sandy Bay junction to Thompson’s Hill area. This road clearing/cleaning is continuing from Red Hill to White Wall through New Ground and finishing at Young’s Valley.
There are currently other road works in progress such as the resurfacing of the Leper Station road and the roads in the lower Sandy Bay area, which will also involve drainage works to cater for storm water.
Recently management in PW&SD have held consultations with the workmen on such issues as improving the quality/quantity of materials or tools provided and personal protective equipment. The Chief Engineer Mr Bill Scanes said that these consultations have resulted in improved efficiency and a considerable increase in the output of work.
As grass and weeds grow quickly on the roadsides and the winter rain washes mud and rocks onto the roads, the problem is not only clearing the roads but also keeping them clear. It is not practical to have men trying to maintain one area when other areas are in need of clearing as well. The department is therefore investigating the use of additional equipment, which will help improve efficiency particularly in clearing road verges and gutters, such as a road sweeper attachment, which can be attached to a tractor. This piece of equipment could reduce the number of men needed in one area and be more efficient and less time consuming.
Bill Scanes added that he is pleased with the current performance of the workmen and with the end result. The department has been receiving compliments from the public on how nice the roads look, and the men can be proud of their achievements.
Public Relations/Information Office
Office of the Chief Secretary
15 September 2004
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