Ascension : LET’S GET TOGETHER AND BE ALRIGHT
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Internet Editor) 14.01.2010 (Article Archived on 28.01.2010)

I am hoping to fly back to England sometime this week.

Ascension has gone through many phases of ‘Ups & Down’- and it certainly feels like a Down phase at present- especially in AIG. Why??

Ascension went through a ‘Zombie’ mode between end of 2005-2008. One can guess the reasons- Could it be

1) Complete lack of leadership, will, co-operation & status quo approach without solving the issues in or for the govt.

2) Lack of co-ordination and ‘Each to their own’ feeling with & within the companies on the island resulting in isolation and fragmentation of a society.

3) Misinformation about tax & island should return to olden golden!!! days of no tax.

4) Govt is low on reserves as an organisation has not paid its due in tax to govt and other organisations.

There was always a hope that UK govt. will step in and assist in some way to sort out the deficit in finance- as it is the UK govt. who had initiated, encouraged ( then quashed) the real democracy hopes on the island.

 When that hope faded, then emergency measures that are necessary, effects of which the community is witnessing now had to happen. Yes, there have been redundancies- some long overdue, some necessary, some surprising and yes, it could have been handled with some sensitivity.

 In current economic situation in UK- there is unlikely to be any magic wand that will change the situation for the better in near future. Yet, as the politicians are saying-      “ We are all in this together” and it is very true here also.

So the big question is-What is the future? What could be done?

In my opinion & it is only an opinion!! for what it is worth!

--There has to be strong committed leadership by The Administrator or The Governor-to launch an initiative and co-ordinate  island organisational heads to come together to create a stimulus and atmosphere of co-operation and create harmony. Hopefully the organisational heads have positive attitudes and commonsense to do the right thing.

--Consult and decide on policies & equipment that are practical to Ascension, manageable with right training and  achievable with hard work & sustainable for long period- and most important affordable in all these points.

--Elected council members and the govt could be proactive with people’s concerns and address the issues with understanding, sensitivity and transparency.

--Local knowledge, consultation and co-operation can resolve most of the services & problems on the island.  

--Middle management and workers should get training through local experts and

courses ( When finance is available) and deliver professional good quality service to the community.

--Everybody has to tighten the belts so finances are effectively used.

There are many talented & clever people on the island. I am sure they have ideas- come out with it and stop blaming, moaning & looking backward. Do something about it to make it better.

I am an optimist in this respect and hopefully the NEW CHIEFS of the different tribes on the island would come together and make things alright.

 Will it work? - I do not know- There has to be the will to move forward, give it a try and be proud of it whatever is the outcome.

May the (air) force be with you!!