OMAGH IS A SPECIAL CASE
Omagh is a special case
This week as the Chief Executive of Omagh District Council unfurled plans that may, ultimately, get Omagh back on its feet, emotionally, physically and economically, the question of Omagh being considered as a special case for funding was aired. Although the concept of giving our town 'special case' status had not been given prominence, it is something which should be pursued relentlessly by Omagh's public representatives.
Omagh, is not simply a town that was bombed, rather, it is a town and a community, which has been dwarfed by the scale of the atrocity. The danger is that, in the days ahead, Omagh will be defined by the tragedy, and not by the positive things in our history of tolerance and excellence.
There is a terrific will to rebuild, and the resilience of the town's people has been nothing short of heroic, however, Omagh was brought to the world's attention by the carnage and when the sympathy of the world passes, as we know it will, there is a danger that the name of Omagh will be synonymous with a bomb site.
Neither the people, nor the business community, nor the Council, have the resources to challenge that image on the massive scale required. That is one of many reasons for Omagh to be considered a special case.The funding which the town requires to rebuild materially will perhaps be in the region of sixty million pounds. To promote itself in terms of tourism, and inward investment to pre-August 15th level will require a great deal more.
Along with the massive toll on human life, the Market Street Bomb swept away thirty years of positive imagery in a matter of seconds; Promethean strides to encourage international investment in Omagh suffered a critical blow, and the likelihood is that the tourism industry will face an uphill struggle for some years. The cost to the community in terms of investment, jobs and prosperity are greatly in excess of even the most pessimistic estimates.
The Secretary of State assured local representatives that she would take the message of Omagh's renewal and advance factory to US business audiences. However, she cautiously steered away from giving the Council guarantees that the Labour government would make a special case for Omagh, and that is worrying. Given what this town has suffered in the past seven weeks, no one in Ireland, Britain or the wider world would begrudge us special status.
At the special Council meeting on Monday, Dr Mowlam heard that business in the town had slowed down considerably. Even those businesses not directly affected are facing tough times. On some occasions, at what should be peak shopping times, there are only a few dozen people to be seen in the town centre, evidence that the crisis is by no means over.
There is no need for caution, Dr Mowlam should be broadcasting to the world that Omagh is a special case. If we are to be saddled with the horrific tag of 'worst single atrocity of the troubles', the very least we can expect is special consideration at the time of our greatest need.
Consecutive Governments have failed Omagh, and there was a longstanding cavalier attitude towards inward investment our infrastructure was neglected and our health services have been casually stripped to the bone. Now as we deal with a trauma of an unimaginable scale, this government must not be allowed to fail us.
The Secretary of State and the Prime Minister must act to convert the goodwill of Ireland, Britain, Europe and the rest of world into the resources that we need to ensure our collective futures.
This week as the Chief Executive of Omagh District Council unfurled plans that may, ultimately, get Omagh back on its feet, emotionally, physically and economically, the question of Omagh being considered as a special case for funding was aired. Although the concept of giving our town 'special case' status had not been given prominence, it is something which should be pursued relentlessly by Omagh's public representatives.
Omagh, is not simply a town that was bombed, rather, it is a town and a community, which has been dwarfed by the scale of the atrocity. The danger is that, in the days ahead, Omagh will be defined by the tragedy, and not by the positive things in our history of tolerance and excellence.
There is a terrific will to rebuild, and the resilience of the town's people has been nothing short of heroic, however, Omagh was brought to the world's attention by the carnage and when the sympathy of the world passes, as we know it will, there is a danger that the name of Omagh will be synonymous with a bomb site.
Neither the people, nor the business community, nor the Council, have the resources to challenge that image on the massive scale required. That is one of many reasons for Omagh to be considered a special case.The funding which the town requires to rebuild materially will perhaps be in the region of sixty million pounds. To promote itself in terms of tourism, and inward investment to pre-August 15th level will require a great deal more.
Along with the massive toll on human life, the Market Street Bomb swept away thirty years of positive imagery in a matter of seconds; Promethean strides to encourage international investment in Omagh suffered a critical blow, and the likelihood is that the tourism industry will face an uphill struggle for some years. The cost to the community in terms of investment, jobs and prosperity are greatly in excess of even the most pessimistic estimates.
The Secretary of State assured local representatives that she would take the message of Omagh's renewal and advance factory to US business audiences. However, she cautiously steered away from giving the Council guarantees that the Labour government would make a special case for Omagh, and that is worrying. Given what this town has suffered in the past seven weeks, no one in Ireland, Britain or the wider world would begrudge us special status.
At the special Council meeting on Monday, Dr Mowlam heard that business in the town had slowed down considerably. Even those businesses not directly affected are facing tough times. On some occasions, at what should be peak shopping times, there are only a few dozen people to be seen in the town centre, evidence that the crisis is by no means over.
There is no need for caution, Dr Mowlam should be broadcasting to the world that Omagh is a special case. If we are to be saddled with the horrific tag of 'worst single atrocity of the troubles', the very least we can expect is special consideration at the time of our greatest need.
Consecutive Governments have failed Omagh, and there was a longstanding cavalier attitude towards inward investment our infrastructure was neglected and our health services have been casually stripped to the bone. Now as we deal with a trauma of an unimaginable scale, this government must not be allowed to fail us.
The Secretary of State and the Prime Minister must act to convert the goodwill of Ireland, Britain, Europe and the rest of world into the resources that we need to ensure our collective futures.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1180
Published Date: 08-Oct-98
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