Ascension : CALLING ALL SAINTS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES
Submitted by The Islander (Islander Internet Editor) 23.07.2009 (Article Archived on 06.08.2009)

Rosemary Stevenson, who has been commissioned by DFID to lead St Helena's airport consultation process, will be arriving on Ascension Island on Thursday 23rd July and will remain here until Monday 27th.

The main purpose of Rosemary's visit is to speak to as many Saints and other interested parties as possible to find out their views on the following three access options for St Helena: 

A)  Build an airport

B)  Commission a new ship

C)  Defer the decision for up to five years

Rosemary has already visited St Helena where she met with almost 1,000 people who pushed aside their frustrations at having to go through yet another consultation and made the remarkable effort to come out and speak with her.  The message she took back from St Helena was that around 90% of people supported Option A, around 9% supported Option B and hardly anyone supported Option C. 

In fact, there were two messages that came out loud and clear during her visit:

• that only an airport would save St Helena from further decline and would result in economic development and


• If DFID went ahead with option C, it would have disastrous results i.e. it was made very clear that the current pause alone was already encouraging more people to leave, putting existing businesses in jeopardy and discouraging new business ventures. 

NOW IS THE CHANCE FOR YOU ON ASCENSION TO HAVE YOUR SAY.

Managers of organisations on Ascension have been extremely helpful in arranging meetings during work times which are open to all employees.  Rosemary will attend the meetings and will be eager to hear your views.

Rosemary will also make herself available on Saturday and Sunday (25th/26th July) for anyone who'd like to approach her informally for a chat.  She will be making visits to all the social venues such as the Saints Club, Volcano Club, Two Boats Club, Naafi, etc., in the hope of meeting as many people as possible.  If anyone would like to have a copy of Rosemary's visit programme showing meeting venues/dates/times, please call me at the Obsidian Hotel on ext 101.  Likewise, if anyone would like to book a private meeting with Rosemary, please call me and I will make the necessary arrangements.  

GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS CONSULTATION AND THE IMPACT THE OUTCOME WILL HAVE ON YOUR FUTURE, AND THE FUTURE OF ST HELENA, I WOULD URGE AS MANY OF YOU AS POSSIBLE TO COME OUT AND MAKE YOUR VIEWS KNOWN SO THAT ROSEMARY CAN TAKE THE RIGHT MESSAGE BACK TO THE UK ON OUR BEHALF.

Meanwhile, if anyone wishes to talk through any issues related to any of the three options, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sharon Wainwright

SHG Access Project Manager