From left: Premier Ellis Webster and Governor Tim Foy.
From left: Kyle Hodge, Merrick Richardson, Kenneth Hodge, Premier Ellis Webster, Quincia Gumbs-Marie, Haydn Hughes and Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers.
ANGUILLA--Party leader Dr. Ellis Webster met with Governor Tim Foy on Tuesday morning to swear his oath as Premier following the Anguilla Progressive Movement’s (APM’s) election victory on Monday, June 29. Later in the day, Webster along with his ministerial team, proud family members and close associates, again met with the governor to swear their ministerial oaths of allegiance to the crown and due execution of their ministerial responsibilities.
Following the oaths of Haydn Hughes, Kenneth Hodge, Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, Kyle Hodge and Quincia Gumbs-Marie, the premier said, “It is a pleasure to be here. It is with deep humility and reflective gratitude that I’ve accepted the mantle to be your first elected premier. To the people of District 1 and the people of Anguilla I say thanks for the trust and confidence that you have placed in our team. You have believed in our cause and supported our message.” He then declared Wednesday a public holiday marked by an island-wide motorcade followed by musical entertainment.
Webster announced the composition of the APM administration. Along with his position as Premier, Webster will also be Minister of Finance, Minister of Tourism and Minister of Health. Haydn Hughes was named Minister of Infrastructure; Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers: Minister of Social Development and Education; Kenneth Hodge: Minister of Home Affairs; Merrick Richardson: Ministerial Assistant in the Ministry of Social Development with responsibility for youth, sports and culture; Kyle Hodge: Minister of Trade and Commerce; and Quincia Gumbs-Marie: Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for economic development.
Webster thanked outgoing Premier Victor Banks for his contribution of over 40 years of service to Anguilla’s development. He said, “We stand in the shadow of giants who have gone on before us, who helped to take Anguilla from where it was to where it is now. Indeed the best days for Anguilla are still ahead. This government is here to serve you. There are challenges ahead but together we will move forward with openness, accountability and transparency to build our nation proud, strong and free.”
