Governor Her Excellency Harriet Cross has stressed the importance of safety in Montserrat’s maritime and aviation transport sectors, as the island continues to grapple with access challenges.
Addressing the matter in an interview with ZJB News, Governor Cross explained her role in enforcing international regulations, while at the same time recognizing the importance of air and sea transport to Montserrat’s economic development.
“I mean as Governor I could probably say, okay I am going to agree that you don’t have to meet those regulations. I think if I did that the UK Department for Transport would overrule me. That is my understanding of what would happen,” the Governor said.
Cross does not believe the UK could relax the regulations because ultimately “it has liability for big problems that happen in Montserrat. So either thing that cost a lot of money.”
She believed that if “something awful happened…because a ferry didn’t have the appropriate security levels, then ultimately, it’s the UK that pays that fine. Or if some awful air crash happened, the questions would be why didn’t the UK government see that this could happen? So, it would be questions for the UK government. Of course there’d be questions for the government of Montserrat too, but they would ultimately be liable…maybe that’s why I think some people see us, and I include myself in this, as a bit risk averse when it comes to deciding that actually we can be more flexible on international aviation rules.”
While recognising the frustration this can create for airlines and passengers, the Governor affirmed that safety requirements are not optional.
She explained that the UK Government carries liability for major incidents in Montserrat that has led to the cautious approach taken towards aviation and maritime safety.
Commenting on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s role in securing a ferry service for Montserrat, Governor Cross said funding is already provided.