St Helena : St Helena in Focus
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Public Relations Information Office) 28.09.2009 (Article Archived on 12.10.2009)
The IN FOCUS programme at Radio St Helena hosted by Cyril Gunnell on Tuesday 15th September 2009 lasted an hour even though it was thought at the beginning of the programme that there wasn't sufficient material to last the full hour, but we were wrong.
ST HELENA IN FOCUS
(As published in St Helena Herald on Friday, 25 September 2009)
The IN FOCUS programme at Radio St Helena hosted by Cyril Gunnell on Tuesday 15th September 2009 lasted an hour even though it was thought at the beginning of the programme that there wasn't sufficient material to last the full hour, but we were wrong.
Councillor Mervyn Yon told the public that there were still some unanswered questions and hopefully the answers would be available in time for the next programme. However Mr Yon relayed the answers he did receive as shown below.
PUBLIC HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Question: The effluent from the Bamboo Hedge Piggery is being washed down the hill into the supply of water to the area which is untreated and this has been going on for a considerable time, could an investigation be carried out to ensure that the discharged effluent isn't polluting the water that is being used for human consumption?
Question: If this is the case will you address the problem please?
Answer: The Environmental Health Section (EHS) collected water samples from the area concerned as well as other areas in Sandy Bay. The samples came from 'Rockwater' (the area in question), Wranghams, Perkins Gut and Green Hill and all samples bore very grim results.
EHS met with Solomon and Company and the Head of Water Division, PW&SD to discuss the concerns of Sandy Bay residents about the water from pigs pens. It was agreed that there are many contributing factors to the bad quality of water besides that of piggery slurry, however Solomon and Co. have given assurance that measures are now being taken in addressing the issue of their waste water. In the meantime Head of Water Division has given an undertaking that water will be diverted from another source to supply those presently feeding from the 'Rockwater' source below the piggery. This will receive immediate attention.
At the moment, regarding water quality and instructions to boil water or sterilise with tablets before consumption, are placed in the Clinic. Head of Water Division has promised to attach the same info to the water bills when they are sent out to consumers.
Question: It is believed that the facilities to operate the hospital laundry service that was outsourced to the Namibian contractor will be that which is in place at the CCC, is this correct?
Answer: The contractor will use the facilities at the CCC to undertake laundry for the PHSSD only at the commencement of the contract. Should the contractor wish to carry out any additional laundry services at the CCC, this will have to be negotiated with PHSSD.
Question: Why is it that the same contractor is allowed to open up an additional public laundry service from one of the SHDA business units at Ladder Hill?
Answer: I regret that I do not know the background to this, maybe SHDA can assist.
Mrs Carol George, Chief Administrative Health & Social Services Officer provided the answers.
ST HELENA DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Question: Who in SHDA is responsible for private sector contracts?
Answer: When the St Helena Development Agency requires local private sector services we invite tenders from the local private sector, a selection process then follows and once identified, payment for the contracts are signed off by the Managing Director.
Question: Why is the same contractor who has the laundry service for the hospital allowed to open up a public laundry service from one of the SHDA Business Units at Ladder Hill?
Answer: Since the Laundry Room/Cater Hire has been awarded an outsourcing contract by the St Helena Government, we are happy to rent the available units at the SHDA Half Tree Hollow Business Units to the above mentioned business, for the provision of a new dry cleaning service.
Mrs Mercia George, Business Advisor St Helena Development Agency provided the answer.
SHG SHIPPING OFFICE
Question: Who is the RMS crew paid by, is it the St Helena Government from the shipping subsidy?
Question: If the crew is paid by SHG why can't they be put on the same terms and conditions as those people who are working for SHG on Island, with a gratuity and pension at their retiring age?
Answer: RMS Officers’ salaries and Crew wages are provided for in the management accounts and together with all other costs are met from the shipping subsidy which is the amount required to meet the loss after freight and passenger revenue has been taken into account.
The Management Agreement between St Helena Line and Andrew Weir Shipping Limited provides the manager to undertake the engagement of the Master, Officers and Ratings. This function is sub-contracted to Bibby International Services (IOM) Ltd who specialise in the provision of human resources and payroll services to the shipping industry. Contracts of Employment for officers and ratings on the RMS are issued by Bibby's (Cayman Islands).
Those employed on the RMS receive Trade Union negotiated annual increases and historically rates of pay have been higher than SHG manual worker rates. To go some way towards recognising crew members service when they reach the age of 65, a Retirement Gratuity scheme has been introduced, indeed some people have already taken advantage of it. This does not preclude anyone continuing to work beyond the age of 65 if they are confirmed to be medically fit and wish to do so.
Miss Clare Harris, Acting Shipping Officer provided the answers.
PUBLIC WORKS & SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Question: If the turbines are saving fuel to generate electricity why is it that there has not been any decrease in the unit price to the consumer?
Answer: The primary cost of electricity generation is the cost of fuel. Global prices have risen steeply over the past few years. SHG subsidies have protected the consumer from the true effects of the fuel cost increase, for example in the budget for 2010 the fuel costs are forecast to rise by over £0.5 Million with less than £20 thousand being recovered from the consumer. Within the context of massive cost increases the benefits of wind generation are hidden.
Question: Sadly there has only been three turbines operating over the last 10 years, when can we see some success from all 6 turbines to enable the public to have cheaper electricity?
Answer: We certainly agree that this has been an ongoing saga from the inception of the turbines until recently, maintenance has been poor and of course we are trying to rework 3 turbines which are 10 years old. The positive side to this is that all of the parts which are required to enable 6 turbines will arrive on the next sailing of the RMS from Portland and a programme of works is currently being produced. Two staff just last week returned to the Island from training in South Africa and of course post commission testing will take place by an engineer from WES in Holland later this year and it is anticipated that all turbines will be running by the end of the year.
Mr Derek Richards, Manager / Head of Public Works & Services Department provided the answers.
CABLE AND WIRELESS ST HELENA PLC
Question: What would be the cost of providing a payphone facility at Rosemary Plain picnic area?
Answer: We estimate this to cost in the region of £4,500.
The above aside, we are currently reviewing our payphone provision around the Island in view of the recent damages we are experiencing with the Booths and Handset. Continued damage to this provision could resultin the withdrawal of the services in some areas.
Mr Hensil O'Bey, Chief Executive, Cable and Wireless, St Helena Island provided the answer.
Once again IN FOCUS is grateful for the cooperation received in providing answers.
Cyril Gunnell, Radio St Helena
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