St Helena : St Helena in Focus (28.08.09)
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Juanita Brock) 05.09.2009 (Article Archived on 19.09.2009)
Gyril Gunnell updates us on how SHG is functioning.
ST HELENA IN FOCUS
(As Published in St Helena News)
The IN FOCUS programme at Radio St Helena on 18th August 2009 hosted by Cyril Gunnell was no less busy than in recent weeks with new searching questions, supplementary questions to answers provided by various departments and organisations, and points of information, all from a public that appreciates the outlet that has been provided by the programme, which allows people to try and get to the bottom of an issue of concern and express points of view, thus enhancing democracy.
Councillor Mervyn Yon had as usual been very efficient in his research and was able to relay the answers he had received from the various departments and organisations that provided them. Before relaying the information Councillor Yon informed the public that he will not be able to take part in an 'In Focus' programme during the time he will be canvassing for the Election due to take place in November. He felt that this would be inappropriate and it could be seen that he was using the programme to influence votes; this stance taken by Councillor Yon is much appreciated.
LEGAL, LANDS & PLANNING DEPARTMENT
Question: If Plantation House is regarded as private property who is the owner of it?
Answer: The owner of Plantation House is the Crown (St Helena Government) which forms part of the Crown Estate managed by this Department.
Question: Why is there a sign by the main entrance to Plantation House that reads "Private Property"?
Answer: Unfortunately this sign was erected long before the function of the Crown Estate Management was established with this Department.
However, staff with long memories believes that the sign has been there for about 20 years, erected in the days of Governor Simpson.
Mrs Karen E. Yon, Ag. Head of Department provided the answers.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
Question: The public were advised that the Overseer of Vehicles and the Vehicle – Inspection Centres would also have the roll of carrying out inspections on all SHG vehicles, is this correct?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Are the cranes at the Wharf owned by SHG?
Answer: Yes.
Question: If they are the property of SHG is it true to say they were inspected by one of the private sector inspectors?
Answer: Yes.
Question: Why was this allowed to happen and by what private sector inspector?
Answer: At present we only have one person on island who has an up to date UK certificate in the examination of cranes, therefore SHG must put themselves in the best position should there be any litigation issues in respect of safety of SHG Cranes. TC Inspections currently inspects SHG cranes.
Question: Was the job of inspecting the cranes at the Wharf put out to competitive tender?
Answer: No, as only one of the private sector examiners holds the appropriate certificate.
Question: From what source or department did the funding come from to pay for the work performed?
Answer: PW&SD
Question: How long did the inspection of the three cranes take and what was the actual sump paid for the entire inspection?
Answer: Two days per crane at £200 per crane.
Question: Are there any other qualified persons on island that could carry out these inspections?
Answer: The Vehicle Inspector has a qualification as a crane examiner however this certificate was issued in 1989. Mr Anthony Thomas Crowther has recently received training and is certificate to modern UK Standards and in the interest of safety he must be the preferred person at this time to inspect cranes.
Question: Why was the Overseer of Vehicles not allowed to perform the duties of cranes inspector?
Answer: As stated above. Mr Jeffrey Ellick, Assistant Superintendent of Police provided the answers.
PUBLIC WORKS & SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Question: The PW&SD has a policy in place for selling vehicles once they have come to the end of their useful economic, why is it that only the highest bids are accepted?
Answer: Contract Regulation (17.3, 17.4) require that SHG property should be sold or disposed off in a manner as to produce the highest net return to the Government.
Question: Why couldn't the buses be fitted with new engines like the two Land Rovers were and used for transporting labour instead of Land Rovers?
Answer: The vehicles have been sold by public tender, as it would not have been economically viable for SHG to continue to run them.
Question: At Deadwood Plain the weather can be very harsh and anything that has a metal content will be prone to rust therefore a very good maintenance programme will need to be in place, can the Department say what kind of maintenance programme they have for the upkeep of the wind turbines?
Answer: The Department (Energy) has a routine maintenance programme for the Wind Turbines, should you wish to speak on this issue further you are invited to meet with the engineers at the Energy Division.
Question: It would appear that senior officers who are on call and drive Government labour are not paid overtime but has to take time off in lieu, could it be explained why?
How fair is this when un-established staff from within the PW&SD are paid overtime?
Answer: I have coupled these questions as I feel that you have directed them to the wrong department as this is not something which PW&SD has control over, although I do think that it is a staffing issue.
Question: When will the generator that was used to supply power to the static crane at the Wharf be put out to competitive tender?
Answer: This generator was disposed off when the crane was dismantled and disposed off several years ago. An offer was received from a member of the public which exceeded the value of the generator and as it was of no longer any use to PW&SD it was disposed off.
Mr Derek Richards, Manager/Head of Department, Public Works & Services Department provided the answers.
INVASIVE SPECIES PROJECT OFFICE
Question: A consultancy was arranged for either eradicating or reducing the number of Mina Birds on the island?
Answer: The recent consultancy to which you refer was to look at the feasibility of controlling Mina Birds on St Helena and to recommend effective methods in both urban and rural areas.
Question: How was the decision for a consultancy arrived at?
Answer: The terms of reference of the consultancy were initially produced by the Invasive Species project team and then scrutinised and amended by members of the project steering group for St Helena. The agreed terms of reference were put out to tender. From the received tenders, the one which offered the best value for money while fulfilling the tender requirements was selected and that organisation offered the consultancy. All steps were undertaken in accordance with the funding organisation's requirements for tenders.
Question: Who initiated the consultancy in the first place and was it by request?
Answer: The Invasive Species project held an open workshop to discuss invasive species issues and to prioritise actions for the Invasive Species project on St Helena in July 2009. Some sixty representatives from different sectors of the island community attended and each was given equal opportunity to contribute to the prioritised actions which were agreed upon. Investigating ways to reduce the negative impacts of Mina Birds on Wire-birds, agriculture, conservation and human health was one of the prioritised actions.
Question: What assurance can be given that by killing the Mina Birds by baiting them will not also kill off other birds excluding pigeons?
Answer: Using bait to kill birds requires knowledge and experience of bird behaviours. Bait is not an effective or practical option in many situations. On St Helena Mina Bird feeding behaviours is different to other areas around the world.
No baiting is carried out before a study of the proposed area, the bird species that use the area and the feeding habits of those birds has been made. Following this observation, non toxic bait is used to further ensure that the target species is the only one feeding on the bait. Following the laying of toxic bait, further observation is made to check that bait is actually taken and that non target birds are not feeding on bait. It was found to be possible on St Helena, at the one site studied to separate feeding groups of pigeons and Mina Birds by using their different behaviours. The toxin used is for professional use only and thus is only allowed to be used by properly qualified and experienced personnel, it is not available to any other persons.
Question: The Mina Birds have been around for more years than anyone living can give a record off and is part of St Helena's eco system, why were the public not consulted before such a drastic decision was made?
Answer: The consultancy was undertaken to provide information on whether effective myna bird control on St Helena was possible on whether St Helena as a community wishes to proceed with a control programme.
Question: What did it cost to engage a consultant for this exercise?
Answer: The contractual term and conditions of the consultancy don't permit the tender value to be released. In relative terms, from the tenders received the one chosen was deemed to provide best value.
Question: From what budget was the funding sought?
Answer: The funding for this and other actions under the Invasive Species project is from the European Union's EDF9 fund. It is a three year project and the funding was secured in 2006. It is a regional project and the funds are shared the other South Atlantic territories and are specifically for work to increase the capacity to deal with the impacts of invasive species to protect the region's native biodiversity.
Mr Andrew Darlow, Invasive Species Project Officer provided the answers.
AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT
Question: Is the coffee ground in Sandy Bay being cleared or has been cleared of overgrowth?
Answer: Cleaning is currently in progress by a contractor on behalf of ANRD.
Question: Does the previous owner still have any claims on it?
Answer: This matter is with the Attorney General's Chambers at present.
Mr Darren Duncan, Chief Agricultural & Natural Resources Officer provide the answers.
The report this week does not include answers to all of the questions forwarded to the 18th August programme, it is appreciated that some answers will take longer than some others to bring about, but suffice to say they will be reported as soon as they are received.
On behalf of the general public IN FOCUS is grateful to all those who contributed to the answers provided in this report.
Cyril Gunnell
Radio St Helena
28th August 2009
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