Falklands : A CPA Brief With Dick Sawle MPA
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 08.10.2010 (Article Archived on 22.10.2010)
The Hon Mr Dick Sawle has returned from a CPA conference in Kenya and on Friday, 01 October 2010 he briefed the media on what went on at the conference. He mentioned there was a small countries conference followed by a plenary conference.
A CPA BRIEF WITH DICK SAWLE, MLA
By J. Brock (FINN)
The Hon Mr Dick Sawle has returned from a CPA conference in Kenya and on Friday, 01 October 2010 he briefed the media on what went on at the conference. He mentioned there was a small countries conference followed by a plenary conference.
54 countries and territories and 56 delegates attended the conference. However, Mr Sawle confirmed that there were no representatives from Tristan da Cunha, Ascension or St Helena at the venue.
Each subject area had three speakers. Mr Sawle said that he told the conference that a potential of 60% of Falklands energy could be wind generated. He mentioned that smaller countries tended to be dependent on hydrocarbons products and that our wind farm went a long way to remedying this. The Canadians expressed an interest in finding out more about how we are using wind generated power and Mr Sawle has already got The Hon Mr Glenn Ross in touch with the Canadian representative. Our reliance on wind power should help if the Argentine blockade increases to include fuel products.
The effects of political corruption were also discussed at the conference in the forms of nepotism and striking deals.
There was an emphasis on strengthening oversight in small parliaments and the Falklands were able to report the new 2009 constitution’s provisions for this. The roles of Public Accounts Committees and how much money they save were discussed. It was hoped that the PAC would be a watchdog and not a bloodhound in the execution of its duties.
There was a women’s session on Tuesday, 14 September.
Mr Sawle said he had offered to suggest the Falklands hold a regional conference in the Falklands similar to the one held in 2004.
Mr William Shija headed the 1st plenary session on Tuesday, 14 September where membership fees were discussed. £8,000.00 per annum was the agreed fee but they will go up by 2.4% the next time they are reviewed and this is the current UK rate of inflation.
The 15th and 15th were off days to visit Kenya. Mr Sawle visited the port at Mombasa.
On the 17th Sustainability was discussed. Representatives from India said they wanted wind power but found storage of excess energy a problem. A global task force on food and clean water was set up to help meet the needs of people struggling to find both.
Of the 54 countries and territories in attendance, 32 were small states whose interests were catered for in the small countries forum.
Dr William Shija has been elected to head the group for the next 5 years.
Mr Sawle suggested that a small booklet be produced with basic statistical information about the Falklands. This could be carried by MLAs abroad and would be available on the Government website.
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