St Helena : Business News from St. Helena and Ascension Island
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 02.07.2005 (Article Archived on 16.07.2005)

It's been a busy seven days for business on Ascension and St. Helena.

BUSINESS NEWS FROM ST. HELENA AND ASCENSION ISLAND

Press Release

Today dissolution of the Legislative Council takes effect and HE the Governor thanks all Members who have contributed to the Council over the last four years.

A dinner to pay tribute to the Speaker and Councillors will be hosted by the Governor on Friday 8 July at Plantation House.

Governor Clancy announced that the General Election will be held on Wednesday 31 August. This is a little earlier than originally envisaged and reflects the very good progress made on putting in place the arrangements for the move from eight to two constituencies.

The number of polling stations for voting in the General Election will not change.

The date for nomination of candidates will be announced in the near future and there will be one centre for nominations in each of the West and East constituencies.

Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 1 July 2005

LANDHOLDING APPLICATIONS FROM SHELCO

Queries have been raised about SHELCO’s landholding applications.

There is a well-established procedure to follow for landholding applications. It is inappropriate for Government to comment on specific applications in public. The following may help to clarify the Government’s role and action so far.

SHELCO’s applications were made public and a number of objections was received by the end of the consultation period on 10 June 2005.

There was an apparent irregularity with one of the objections to SHELCO’s applications which has been investigated by the police.

As required by the landholding legislation, copies of the objections to the applications have been made available to SHELCO’s legal representative.

The next step would have been for ExCo to consider this matter but the dissolution of LegCo takes place today - 1 July.  Established practice is that the Executive Council and Council Committees continue to meet until the General Election although, as far as is possible, no contentious issues will be dealt with during this period.

Following the General Election and the reconvening of LegCo, ExCo will consider SHELCO’s applications.  ExCo, however, cannot commit to reaching an informed decision by any particular date.

Governor’s Office: The Castle, 1 July 2005

AIR ACCESS PROJECT UPDATE: NEW AIR ACCESS PROJECT TEAM

St Helena’s new Access Project Team- with new members - is in business and busy!  The Team is now into its second month and has held productive weekly meetings and teleconferences with their counterparts on the DFID Access Project Team. 

Before the airport decision, the previous Access Team Members had worked extremely hard in consultation with DFID and Consultants on the feasibility work leading up to the positive decision.  Following this decision, the role of the Access Project Team has changed significantly, from one of influencing policy to one of project implementation, and hence the new team composition.

Members of the St Helena Access Project Team are:

Access Project Manager – Ms Sharon Wainwright (Chair)

Development & Economic Planning Dept Head (Ag Chief Secretary) – Dr Corinda Essex

Senior Legal Officer, Legal & Lands Dept – Mr Alan Nicholls

Chief Finance Officer – Mr Desmond Wade (temporary member until the Financial Accountant is recruited)

Chief Administrative Officer Public Health & Social Services – Mrs Ivy Ellick

Environmental Coordinator – Miss Isobel Peters

When the Public Works and Services department is fully complemented, a senior member of their staff will join the Core Team.  The team can also draw on the Heads of other Government Departments as required.

The overall purpose of the St Helena Access Project Team is to facilitate the timely and cost effective delivery of the Access project. 

The Team is the functional link in St Helena between the other project teams (the DFID OTD Access Project Team, the Project Management Unit when formulated), the St Helena Development Board, the St Helena Government Departments and key stakeholders to address issues affecting project implementation.

The Team will be also be responsible for identifying any capacity constraints and other issues about using departmental resources for project related activities. It will develop plans to address such capacity constraints including: identifying the need for any technical assistance; agreeing inputs with the DFID OTD Access Project Team; and initiating procurement to ensure that the project implementation is not compromised

The St Helena Access Project Team will also manage communications, authorise press releases and deal with enquiries and incidents in St Helena relating directly to the construction of the airport and introduction of air services.

Sharon Wainwright, Access Project Manager, 21^st June 2005

AIR ACCESS PROJECT – PRESS RELEASE

Development Board Away Day

The Development Board held a successful day at Plantation House on 17^th June.  In highly participative sessions, there was team building, thinking exercises and lively discussion of priorities for a forward work plan.

Governor Michael Clancy drew on his management consultancy background as facilitator for the day and different thinking approaches were used.    This helped Members and Advisors to look at problem solving and decision making from different viewpoints.

By the end of the day, armed with all the training and the relevant information from the Atkin’s Report, Members successfully drafted a prioritised work plan of policy reviews to facilitate the economic development on St Helena.

The main priorities included the following:

A review of the Immigration Policy

A review of the Land Holding Policy

A review of the Tax Policy to create appropriate incentives for both on-island and inward investors and developers:

Development of an Employment Policy

The Development Board Members and Advisors will take forward their work from July.  Once these policies are reviewed and agreed amongst Members, the recommended changes will be taken to Executive Council for their consideration.  

The ‘Away Day’ was attended by the Development Board Members, Governor Michael Clancy, Ag Chief Secretary Corinda Essex, Hon Cathy Hopkins, Hon Bernice Olsson, Mrs Mandy Fowler, Mr Dale Bowers and Mr Paul Hickling.  They were joined by four SHG Advisors - the Financial Secretary, Attorney General, Government Economist and the Access Project Manager.  Mrs Sharon Henry from the Access Office also attended to provide administrative support.

GREEN MOUNTAIN IS NOW A NATIONAL PARK

By J. Brock (SARTMA-AC)

The Islander Newspaper on Ascension Island reports that last weekend saw the official opening of Green Mountain as a National Park.  To commemorate the event, there was a weekend of family fun including the Dew Pond Run reported by Ascension Conservation, with Errol Duncan the First Man, Tracey Yon, First Woman, Sam Lones, First Boy and Megan Makintosh, first Girl.  Betty Haley wrote that she enjoyed other activities such as guided tours and Children’s Fancy Dress.

Canon Clive Duncan reported that on the day of the official opening (Sunday) he held a church service on the Residency lawn and this was followed with teas, coffees and nibs, thanks to the Administrator and his staff.

One of the best things about the new park is the boardwalk over the muddy path to the Dew Pond.  Thanks goes to the Islander Newspaper for providing the details of the opening of Green Mountain National Park.

New manager for Georgetown

Shop

Paul George

Last week, the Herald received information which suggested that the Solomon’s shop on Ascension was not doing well at all.

The information also suggested that Ian Gough, member of Solomon’s Corporate Management, will be leaving shortly for Ascension Island where he will take over as manager for the Solomon’s Georgetown shop, on a transfer from St.Helena. Solomon’s have owned the shop on Ascension since 2002 when it was sold by the AICS to the current owners.

The Ascension Islander (weekly newspaper) reported that several problems arose for Solomon’s directly after the sale of the shop. The shop’s main supplier, Tesco, withdrew from Ascension and then the shop’s long time manager, Mr Jenkins, resigned. Following this, the islands sole bread supplier, CSR, stopped their supply of bread to the shop. I spoke with the Managing Director of Solomon’s, Neil Wilshere and also to Ian. Neil confirmed that Ian is being transferred to Ascension shortly and will replace the current manager, Nicola, whom Neil says has done an excellent job given the unique trading environment faced Solomon’s on Ascension.  Georgetown shop, Ascension

Ascension has become immensely more competitive since Solomon’s initially took over the George Town shop, the business has done well. He adds that every business has to  on its own feet and therefore, its survival can only be based on it’s performance! And after 3 years, the business needs have changed, hence the reason for the transfer between Ian and Nicola.

Ian says that the transfer will be a big challenge for him and looks forward to making a positive contribution to the shop. He adds that even though the cost on which the shop operates is high, there is sufficient business on Ascension to allow the shop to continue. Neil said, “Solomon’s on St.Helena has never subsidised the Georgetown shop and this position will never change.”

The price of food provisions in shops on Ascension is quite highly priced, particularly the well-liked and much preferred name brands.

However, history sources indicate that prices were never this high for food provisions on Ascension and in fact, it was during the late years off the 19th century that food prices changed for the worse on Ascension. Ships calling at Ascension could purchase stores at government prices, which were much less than that charged by the merchants on St Helena. Following pressure from St.Helena’s merchants, the island’s charges were more than doubled, and very high harbour fees were introduced.

Professional Mariner and Photo-Journalist Writes about St Helena

Governor Clancy has received a letter from professional mariner and freelance photo-journalist, Trevor Boult.

Trevor travelled on the RMS St Helena in November 2003 to carry out documentary work about the RMS, her crew and some of the Islands the vessel served during voyage 60(S) between the UK and South Africa.

As a result of his visit, Trevor has had an article published in NNMAST telegraph. The article tells the story of his journey on the RMS St Helena, arrival in James Bay, and the hustle and bustle in Jamestown with the disembarkation of passengers and cargo.

In addition to this Trevor took a number of photographs and a compilation of these photos is being exhibited at the Aberdeen Maritime Museum. These photographs will remain on display until September of this year. In speaking about the significance Trevor said: “The RMS St Helena was the final ship to be built at Aberdeen and she continues to draw considerable local interest.” 36 photographs were selected by the curator and further photos have been framed and given to the RMS.

Trevor is hoping that after Aberdeen, the RMS exhibition will travel to other countries and to other types of venues in the UK.

Trevor expressed his sincere thanks to all those who made his voyage and his stay on St Helena possible. Particular mention was made of staff in the St Helena Tourist Office, Irene and Donald Harris of Harris’s Guest House, Elaine Benjamin, Head Teacher of Pilling Primary School, and Sophia Joshua who was working at the St Helena Herald. He also expressed thanks for the kindliness of the local people in general.

Public Relations/Information Office, Office of the Chief Secretary: 29 June 2005

SHG Carries out Interviews

SHG has been carrying out a number of interviews to fill posts on the Island.

The Public Service Commission met on Monday of last week to interview candidates for two high level Government Posts.

SHG recently saw resignations from the posts of Chief Agricultural and Natural Resource Officer, and Manager of the Public Works and Services Department. Both of these posts are meanwhile being filled in an acting capacity.

Chief Personnel Officer, Barbara George, said that most of last Monday was dedicated to interviewing candidates for each of these posts. In addition to being interviewed, candidates were required to give a presentation outlining their vision for the respective departments. Interviews took place at the Personnel Department at No. 3, Main Street, Jamestown.

The Public Service Commission carries out interviews for all SHG posts, which are graded at level 5 or higher.

In related news, SHG UK Representative, Kedell Worboys, carried out interviews at her London Office along with personnel from the University of Wolverhampton’s Centre for International Development and Training. These interviews were for Teachers under the Education Support Programme. Three persons have been selected and two should arrive at St Helena during the middle of August with the other one following shortly after.

Kedell also travelled to Belfast to be part of the interviewing panel for the Nurse Tutor post. Guy Collins has been selected to fill this position and will arrive at St Helena around 10 September this year when the Locum Nurse Tutor, Millicent Walker, completes her contract.

Public Relations/Information Office, Office of the Chief Secretary: 29 June 2005

SHG UK Rep Meets with Influential People

The St Helena Government UK Representative, Kedell Worboys, has been meeting with a number of influential people in the UK. These meetings have allowed her to talk about St Helena and what the Island needs in order to go forward.

Kedell attended the State Opening of Parliament in Westminster and following this, she attended a reception, which was hosted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, (UK Branch). She said: “This gave me the opportunity to meet with Members of Parliament including Lord Triesman.” Lord Triesman is the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and he has special responsibilities for the Overseas Territories.

Kedell also met with some of the newly elected Members of Parliament.

At a later meeting she met with Haden Spencer who has recently succeeded Mike Doig as the European Union, Overseas Countries and Territories Coordinator. Kedell said “Haden had arranged to meet all of the OT UK Representatives as part of his familiarisation programme.”

Most of their discussions focused on European Development Funds (EDF) and accessing the regional fund. This is of interest to St Helena as SHG is hoping to benefit from European Development Funds so that the Wharf Improvement Project can be implemented. St Helena has benefited from EDF funding in the past with monies being approved for Hoole’s Wall at the Sea Front, and for the High Point Rendel and Golder Consultancies to look at cliff stabilisation at the Wharf Area in Jamestown.

Public Relations/Information Office, Office of the Chief Secretary: 29 June 2005

World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day is fast approaching and plans are being put into place for this annual event to be celebrated on St Helena for the very first time.

The occasion is being celebrated on Tuesday 27 September in many countries around the world.

Director of Tourism, Pamela Young said: “ Our aim is to create local awareness about the values of tourism and what St Helena has to offer.”

The World Tourism Organisation has made a number of suggestions on how to celebrate the day, and these include marketing the day in schools, giving people free entry to places of interest, organising competitions to raise local awareness, giving tourists special welcomes, and commemorating the day by issuing special stamps, medals and posters.

World Tourism Day was discussed at the last Tourism Advisory Committee meeting on 20 June and this allowed the Director of Tourism to bring members up to speed with the proposed plans for the day and to allow them to make additional suggestions.

On the Island, St Helena Tourism is arranging to have some facilities and activities that are on offer to tourists, available to members of the public. This will include a dolphin trip along with displays at the Tourist Office, and rooms open in hotels and self catering accommodation for public viewing. In addition the Museum and Longwood House will open to the public and a town walk has been organised. It is hoped that as a result of these activities more people will eventually enter into the tourism industry or be inclined to use the services.

A competition will take place whereby people will be asked to describe St Helena in 100 words. Pamela said the aim is to make people think about the Island - what it has to offer and how we would sell it. Details of the competition will be announced shortly and the winning text might be used in tourism brochures.

The Tourist Office will open until 6pm on the day so that everyone will be able to pay a visit to view the displays, ask questions and to see what information is on offer.

Public Relations/Information Office, Office of the Chief Secretary: 29 June 2005

The St Helena Chamber of Commerce held a meeting on Tuesday evening for members and potential members of the St Helena Business Community at the Consulate Hotel.

The main aim of the meeting was for ideas and talks to be pooled together on how to kick-start St Helena’s Economy and to learn about the Trade Mission to Namibia next month.

There was a very good attendance from people from a variety of businesses. There were members of the public present from retail, catering, accommodation and private businesses, including photography and sports.

Member of the Chamber of Commerce, Mr Terence Richards, will be the Chamber representative who will be travelling to Namibia on the Trade Mission next month.  The Mission is to aim to meet potential inward investors from Namibia and explore the benefits St Helena could reap from imports, exports and tourism with Namibia.

Jurgen Wolf from ‘Printech St Helena’ gave his personal and business knowledge of Namibia, after having lived there for the past 20 years.  He fully supported the idea of trading with Namibia.  Mrs Lynn Thomas gave an energetic talk about how we can all change our attitudes towards preparation and moving forward with our business before the airport arrives.

Mr Joe Terry spoke on behalf of the Tourism Association, how it was formed, and their hopes for the future. Managing Director of St Helena Development Agency Mr Dave Tyler spoke about how the Agency’s main objective is to ‘expand the private sector’ and although there is currently limited funding available, they hope also to expand the available grants for businesses. He goes on to say that even though the trading environment on

.

Mr John Turner, the Manager of the Bank of St Helena’s message was ‘not to miss the opportunity’ and told the story of how billionaire William (or Bill) Gates began his fortune from small beginnings, after not missing the opportunity that put him where he is today. After the talks everyone were invited to divide themselves into groups to discuss and put forward ideas on how we could move forward in different areas.

The topics included Finance and professional support; People skills and training; Land, machinery, premises (all resources) and Legislations, regulations and licenses. The groups therefore sat around their respective tables and pooled their ideas as to how the island can change, what needs or could be done, to suit each discussion. After this was completed, a speaker from the group fed the information back to everyone.

Some of the suggestions caused a small debate and concern was aired regarding one particular suggestion of immigration, but it was stressed that the whole point of the evening was only to give ideas and make suggestions, for time is quickly running down to the airport deadline and if the island is to improve by 2010, things need to start improving now and businesses have to be prepared by 2009 at least.

Chairman of the evening and the Chamber of Commerce Mr Mikael Olsson said all the ideas and suggestions given at the meeting would be compiled and issued to the attendees in due course.

Over-all the meeting was a good opportunity for members and potential business people to come together and give new and interesting ideas and hopefully the spirit of waking up to the reality that the island needs to change and for this to happen, people need to start planning now, can continue, and be expressed more often at seminars such as this.

Contributed by Laura Lawrence

This article is the Property and Copyright of Saint Helena Herald.