Rains reminiscent of the August 2017 deluge took place on Tuesday this week. Tropical Storm Philippe was slowly passing by and wanted to remind us of our powerlessness in the face of nature out of control.
The way water, finding its level, took over public roadways, moved debris and damaged vehicles, tells us that we still do not understand how to build proper roads with adequate drainage.
Of course, when we try to engage the experts, loud voices advocate for ‘home grown’ without regard to competence and experience. That has been a recipe for wasted resources`.
The chocolate brown colour of the sea midway through the rains is partly the result of our misguided actions in filling in the filters and lungs of the Territory, the ponds, for private use. Folly carries a high price tag.
Nevertheless, we should focus on the anticipated impacts of climate change to small island states and Territories, like ours, and follow the framework we have already set for mitigation.
We have a climate change guru amongst us, Ms Burnett-Penn, a Board and a Climate Change Trust Fund. And we have the support of the 5Cs (The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre).
Still, we remain vulnerable; As vulnerable as when the cold hands of death snatches one away.
A former governor of the Virgin Islands, His Excellency, Mr Peter Penfold was snatched away on 1st October.
We do not know for sure where governors’ loyalties lie. They are appointed by HMG so we expect that the employer may have first call on their service and sentiments. Nevertheless, they claim to have our interest at heart.
Apart from their direct responsibilities for subjects like internal security and the rule of law, they should be interested in good governance and maintaining a professional and impartial civil service.
We are glad that Peter Penfold made his legacy and a deep impression on Sierra Leone. By those accounts he was the gift that kept on giving well beyond his tenure. We applaud and respect him for that.
However, BVI drove on a rocky road during his tenure although he held the distinction of appointing the first local Police Commissioner, Attorney at law, Mr Vernon E. Malone.
Chief Minister Stoutt, in particular, felt disrespected by him and that sentiment began in London prior to Penfold’s appointment as governor of the Virgin Islands from 1991-1996.
Lavity fought tooth and nail to keep financial services as a subject under the portfolio of the Minister of Finance instead of it becoming the governor’s subject. And a fight it was.
Even after The Legislative Council passed the legislation and the governor’s assent was given, another two years elapsed before the UK exercised its power of allowance so that the legislation could be brought into force.
Of course, Lavity preceded Governor Penfold in death by close to three decades, but that time is still insufficient to come to grips with the pain and suffering he recounted as having experienced in the context of that relationship.
Since then, adversarial relationships with sitting governors have become commonplace across the territories as people fight for greater autonomy and to rule their destiny.
We know how that story must end.
What is clear is that there will always exist tensions in the relationship between the UK appointed governors and the people’s representatives. But how we navigate them will speak volumes about our maturity and readiness for added responsibilities. Our Fridays are presently pain filled but that too shall pass.
Happy Friday!