St Helena : Information Week for Air Access
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 23.04.2006 (Article Archived on 07.05.2006)
Laura Lawrence tells us about the successful information week for air access
Successful Information Week for Air Access!
From the 10th to the 18th April was Air Access Public Information Week here on St Helena. The visiting UK Access Team – Nigel Kirby (DFID’s St Helena Access Project Manager), Steve Proctor (part of the Atkins technical team), Kath Thorp (Faber Maunsell who will be leading on Social and Environmental Issues), Iain Bell (Faber Maunsell) and Professor Michael Adler (Professor of Genitourinary Medicine/Sexually Transmitted Diseases) carried out a number of public meetings around the island to give as much information as possible about the airport project.
The Team presented the most recent concept plans with graphics and photographs to help the public to get a better understanding of how the airport and additional infrastructure will develop. The Overall Scheme doesn’t just concern the airport, but also involves new roads, a new wharfing facility at Ruperts, a possible new combined Bulk Fuel Farm and proposed new water supply. The presentations given by the Team included plans and images for these proposals.
Nigel spoke about the overall scheme; Kath presented the Environmental Issues, and Iain the Social Issues. Members of the St Helena Access Team (Sharon Wainwright, Corinda Essex, Isabel Peters, Christine Turpin and Kenneth Baddon) were also present at the various meetings.
The main Public Meeting was held at the Consulate Hotel on Tuesday 11th April. This was very well attended by a range of people of various ages from all walks of life. The meeting was constructive and people didn’t hold back from voicing their opinions.
The HIV Screening issue received a lot of attention, as it did in all the meetings, as most people have strong feelings about what they think is the ‘correct’ or ‘moral’ thing to do. Standing neutral, it was noticeable that some good points were made FOR and AGAINST Screening but it was clear that St Helena is a unique case when it comes to this issue and that we are in a similar situation as Britain was in, some 20 years ago; except here on St Helena there is currently no evidence to prove HIV/AIDS is actually here. At the meetings people were quite upset that DFID is advocating education alone as the way forward while the whole argument the island is making is that we can simply reduce the risk by screening migrant workers for HIV. On the other hand, Professor Adler pointed out that discrimination could be tied into Screening and informed that in Africa (which is the base for the 3 interested Consortia for the airport contract) it is illegal to discriminate against a person with HIV/AIDS. The public’s concerns were all taken into account and the Access Team assured that these concerns will be considered.
The meeting at Longwood also had concerns strongly expressed regarding the HIV Screening issue, but another concern by the residents was that of the proposed haul road, which would pass close to some properties in Deadwood. They were concerned about the noise, dust and the fact that a road could pose a danger to children.
Nigel Kirby advised the residents that while they were within their rights to express their concerns; with the majority not in favour of the proposed roads, preferring to see an alternative route, this would slow up the project process, as other routes would have be found and assessed again. However the whole point of the meetings were to bring up concerns such as this.
Apart from the various public meetings the Access Team also held Fun Days for the Public where they could learn more about the Project, as well as have a day out with family and friends. One was held on Easter Sunday at Plantation and the other at the Godfather’s Rock Club on Easter Monday. At Plantation there was a marquee set up with the display posters showing the plans and images, as well as a screen showing what it could look like landing at Prosperous Bay in an aircraft. There was also a display of posters designed by school children depicting the future on St Helena with an airport. The winners were: First Schools – Beckham Bagley (HTH) and Jody Scipio (Pilling Primary). Middle Schools – Sefton Yon (St. Paul’s), Shelley Williams (Harford) and Louis Youde (Harford). Prince Andrew School – Rebecca Lawrence and Leoni Ellick. The winners each received a DVD Player which was presented by His Excellency Governor Clancy in the afternoon at the Fun Day.
Under the marquee were also Chef De Mission Gilbert Yon and competitor Mario Yon, who recently returned from the Commonwealth Games in Australia. They had an area displaying photographs taken at the Games and items they brought back, which included a smaller model version of the Queens Commonwealth Baton.
Sharon Wainwright, the St Helena Access Project Manager, said she was pleased to see the number of people who turned up to the Fun Day and was pleased with the overall response from the public to all the meetings that were held. The whole Team was happy with the amount of people that they managed to see in the short time that they were here. Sharon said the next stage of the project will be for the Invitation to tender documents to be submitted to the contractors, which was scheduled for May. The main issues that will be taken back with the UK Team for further assessments are the possible invasion of the footpaths from the proposed new access road (which are used to access fishing grounds at Dry Gut), the Haul Road at Deadwood passing near residents’ homes and the HIV Screening issue.
Sharon says if anyone was unable to attend all the meetings that were held, or unable to see the UK Access Project Team (who have now left the island), she is available to answer any questions regarding the airport project and thanks everyone who has taken an interest so far and contributed in any way to the Public Information Week.
Contributed by Laura Lawerence
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