St Helena : St Helena Legislature Open Letter to DFID
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 09.12.2008 (Article Archived on 23.12.2008)
We, the Elected Members of the St.Helena Legislative Council, wish to express our deep concern regarding the contents of today’s written statement from the Department for International Development. Our bitter disappointment stems from the repeated raising of expectations that have subsequently been dashed by delay or indecision.
To: Rt. Honourable Douglas Alexander MP
Secretary of State for International Development
We, the Elected Members of the St.Helena Legislative Council, wish to express our deep concern regarding the contents of today’s written statement from the Department for International Development. Our bitter disappointment stems from the repeated raising of expectations that have subsequently been dashed by delay or indecision.
We would like you to consider the following facts:
Ø This Island can only progress towards sustaining itself economically when we have air access.
Ø The robust economic modelling carried out over the past few years shows clearly that reliance upon sea access will be more costly in the long run.
Ø If we are prevented from achieving self sufficiency, international obligation means that the cost will continue to fall on the UK taxpayer.
Ø Back in 2000 HMG decided that a viable private sector proposal for an airport was unsuitable and in effect forced us down a publicly funded route.
Ø We have now been preparing for the construction of that publicly funded airport for the past 7 years; all our planning and thinking has been specifically focused on air access. A great deal of investment from both sectors has been committed as a result of that expectation.
Ø The existence of the project has enabled us to stem the unwanted outflow of “Saints” to work abroad, but now we are convinced that any future uncertainty over an airport will cause widespread disillusionment and rapid depopulation, as well as discouraging inward and local investment.
Ø It was remarkably difficult to obtain compliant bids for the construction of an airport. If the favoured contractor is to be disappointed at this stage, we have serious doubts about our ability to attract bids in the foreseeable future.
Ø Our electorate of “Saints” is renowned for loyalty to Britain, but if this current statement is hiding an indefinite delay in an airport, then we are certain that there will be a very negative backlash from our people. The credibility of all that we have achieved in the areas of governance, planning, and consistency, as well as the social development pathway so clearly outlined in our Sustainable Development Plan is at risk.
We believe that the issue before us is about more than finance. It is a moral issue that is founded on our long term relationship to the UK. We have embraced the “partnership” concept proposed by the UK in the 1999 White Paper with genuine commitment. The decision to build an airport was announced clearly to the House back in 2005 and was dependent on the people of St.Helena preparing for the project. Thus far we have embraced many difficult changes in keeping our part of the bargain - we hope that our trust in HMG is not misplaced.
The Legislative Councillors
Government of St.Helena
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