St Helena : Business News From St. Helena (25.01/06)
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 26.01.2006 (Article Archived on 09.02.2006)
Bulk fuel installation and a new lady acting governor are just two of St. Helena's business news stories.
BUSINESS NEWS FROM ST. HELENA
Bulk Fuel Installation discussed by Council
The Bulk Fuel Installation was discussed in depth at Friday’s informal Legislative Council Meeting.
Questions were put to Financial Secretary, Linda Clemett, with the first relating to a special fund. The Financial Secretary told the House that a special fund did not exist to help Islanders cope with the increase in fuel prices. She said this matter, had in fact been discussed in a previous meeting of Legislative Council in November, and at the time, it was said that a fund had indeed been discussed but the Department For International Development would not allow it to be established.
Still on the subject of funds, the Financial Secretary then confirmed that the BFI operates two UK Bank accounts. The Barclays account is used to pay the freight of fuel in the UK and the second account is with Crown Agents who manages the investments of the BFI.
Linda then moved on to discuss the reasoning behind the increase in fuel prices. She said that this was “as a direct result of rising world fuel prices.” This was another matter, which had been discussed in the November meeting when it was said that Government had done everything in its power to look at other possible avenues.
Some monies from the profit and loss fund were used to cover operating losses but this could not continue. A letter was sent to the UK Minister asking for assistance but the UK Government was unable to help. Therefore, the St Helena Government decided that it would be best to increase prices gradually. The first increase has occurred. It was also made clear that there would be no increase in electricity for this financial year. The Financial Secretary explained that she is unable to speak about the next financial year as no budget has been approved as yet.
If fuel prices had not been increased SHG might have been placed in a position whereby it would have had to reduce other services.
Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 25 January 2006
Press Release
Ethel Yon MBE Sworn in as Acting Governor
Ethel Yon, MBE, Acting Chief Secretary, was sworn in as Acting Governor this morning 25 January 2005 at the Governor’s Office in the Castle.
The Ceremony was conducted by the Sheriff Mrs Greta Musk JP, MBE, in the presence of Bishop John, the Honourable Speaker, Executive and Legislative Councils, Heads of Government Department and other officials.
In her address, the Acting Governor thanked Governor Clancy for his trust in her, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office for their support and trust. She also gave special thanks to her Deputy, Gillian Francis for her support and encouragement and her husband Gilbert for being “a pillar of strength”.
Thanks were also extended to the staff in the Office of the Chief Secretary and the Acting Governor said she was confident that she could continue to rely on the support she was getting.
When describing her appointment, the Acting Governor said: “This is something beyond my wildest dreams.”
She added: “This appointment is not going to be a bed of roses and I will not have access to a crystal ball to solve all the problems. But I sincerely say to all of you here this morning and to the people of St Helena, I will give you my all and work to the best of my ability to serve you.”
She told those in attendance that St Helena is facing a huge change agenda, however, she said that it was not beyond the capability of the Island’s people to tackle this.
The Appointment takes effect from today 25 January and will run until 4 February 2006. Mrs Yon will then be appointed Deputy to Governor while Governor Clancy is on Tristan da Cunha and Acting Governor again from 12 February to 28 February 2006.
During the time Mrs Yon is serving as Acting Governor, Gillian Francis, will be Acting Chief Secretary, and Carol George will take on the role of Acting Deputy Secretary.
Public Relations/Information Office: Office of the Chief Secretary, 25 January 2006
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