As 2018 comes to a close and we are looking forward to the joy and merriment of the Christmas Season – many of us are reflecting on the good fortune that has attended us. To date we have been spared the ravages of Mother Nature over this year’s hurricane season. We had slated this year to be a recovery year – but we were in a state of stifled anxiety, fearing that our efforts would be in vain if struck by another even less severe weather event.
We have been blessed! And for many persons these mercies are indeed a wonderful gift for the upcoming Christmas Season. Around this time last year, there was a lot to be thankful for, but the question lingered on many hearts and minds: “What will things be like in 2018?”
So, here we are and even the most pessimistic among us must admit that our island has recovered exceptionally well. It has been based on the efforts of Anguillans living at home and abroad; friends of Anguilla; regional and international agencies and governments; our administering power – the United Kingdom; and all investors (local and expatriate) in our economy. All of the above played an important part. As a consequence, we are the talk of the town regarding the manner in which we have conducted ourselves.
But even as we were rebuilding, sadly there were some very notable fallen patriots who passed on, including our island’s second and longest-serving Chief Minister, Sir Emile R. Gumbs, as well as the longest-serving Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Hon. Leroy C. Rogers who both finally succumbed to a protracted period of illness. May their souls rest in eternal peace!
Let me also take this opportunity to remember many others among us who have lost loved ones, old and young, to natural causes; violent causes; and accidents during this past year. Their families, relatives, friends and indeed the entire community will certainly miss them in several ways during this season of fellowship – and will ponder in sadness on those memories that only Christmas can evoke.
May we all find comfort in the knowledge that this is all a part of God’s divine plan! And accordingly, let us celebrate their lives and the time He gave them on this earth – even in these heartrending moments.
It is just over 400 days after those vicious storms, Irma and Maria, and we all continue to be singularly focused on the task of recovery and rebuilding stronger and better. But it is always necessary to remind ourselves of how far we have come, bearing in mind what still remains to be done.
Here is a snapshot of what has been accomplished both in the public and private sector:
* Airport services are close to 100% restored and indeed in some areas exceeded; perimeter fencing is in place, night landing capabilities installed; new fire tenders are on the way; and, the new fire hall and control tower almost completed;
* Princess Alexandria Hospital has been refurbished to modern standards, including upgraded electricity; upgraded operating facilities; new diagnostic equipment; new wards; and there is much more work in the pipeline;
* The plans and the financing for the repair and rebuilding of schools are now in place; some contracts have been awarded; and, work continues on some sites;
* Sea Port Services are being maintained at functional levels; the financing and plans for the new Ferry Terminal Building in Blowing are just about ready for implementation; as well as preparatory work for a brand-new jetty at Road Bay;
* Telecommunication Services are now up to pre-Irma levels and plans continue for more robust improvements;
* Fuel Delivery Services are being built back stronger and a new service station in Island Harbour has just been opened;
* Banking Services have been restored and even though the international commercial banks are undergoing some transformation and disruptions, our indigenous bank is experiencing a welcomed period of growth;
* Water Distribution Services have been steadily improving past pre-Irma levels and a new and progressive contractor is now in place;
* Island-wide Electricity is fully restored, and government is actively pursuing a strategy to put in place a more commercially-responsive ownership structure that will be committed to more sustainable, resilient, and efficient delivery of electricity services;
* Food security has been maintained and supermarkets are now returning to more stable arrangements;
* The employment sector, particularly in construction has realized a boom and now the accommodation sector is experiencing similar growth with the reopening of major hotel and restaurant businesses. In fact, there are now more hotel rooms available for business than prior to Irma; and,
* Our churches are being rebuilt – and continue to find ways and places to worship and give God thanks.
And this list is not exhaustive!
You will also recall the challenge to agree our recurrent budget for 2018. That Budget was therefore not approved until April this year. At that time, we were approved/allowed to incur a deficit of almost 25 million EC dollars. A little under eight months later, I am pleased to report that we are recording a surplus of 2.5 million EC dollars on that recurrent budget. This put us in an excellent position to respond to some of our arrears, including training; health; and deferred salaries to civil servants through a supplementary budget just passed in the House a few days ago.
But please be aware that while this is a brilliant position to be in – we still have a long way to go as we continue to struggle to meet our debt obligations and reduce our arrears. The good news is that we have not defaulted on our debt repayments and have been recently given a BBB+ rating by the regional debt-rating agency Cari-CRISS.
This puts us in an attractive place for future investment both in the public and private sector. And it means that despite all the challenges we have endured as a government and a people, we are on a sound trajectory for growth and development.
With regard to the historic and unprecedented grant of some EC $220 million from the UK government for capital projects, we continue to be grateful and have been meeting the conditions for its disbursement. The Anguilla government has developed an excellent working relationship with our administering power, which though not without some challenges, is built on mutual respect and understanding.
It would therefore be remiss of me were I not to make special mention of the support we have received from Governor Foy and his team and in the great rapport that we have established with the UK Minister Lord Ahmad. Both these goodly gentlemen, Tim and Tariq, have been central to our success over the past fifteen months.
And of exceptional mention is the head of our EU/UK Office, Mrs. Blondell Cluff CBE and her team for service beyond the call of duty in keeping our issues, at times ad nauseam, at the top of the FCO agenda. She has been a true patriot.
There is also another important grouping that we must not as a people take for granted in this period of gratitude and reflection, namely, our visitors and investors. Despite the ravages of the most violent storms of record in our history – they have not walked away. They have remained loyal; returned; and continue to support the recovery process with tangible resources.
But we must we not be selfish to reflect only on the circumstances that impact our families and persons associated with Anguilla. Many of our neighbours in the region were similarly impacted and, in some cases, they may have suffered many times more than we have, especially in terms of loss of life and property.
We pray at this time God’s Grace has also attended them in their efforts to rebuild and that they are experiencing some of the successes with which we have been blessed.
As a Government we have continued to remain focused on what we deem to be the greater good. There were times when we were frustrated but we have never given up hope. Indeed, our most effective weapon in this struggle remains HOPE. Our valleys of frustration have come not because we believe that we have all the answers – but rather because those who criticize relentlessly seldom offer solutions. In fact, it often appears that their actual criticism is the goal/objective itself.
Undoubtedly, next year will also come with its own set of challenges – but like the past year there will be times for celebration as well. We refuse to be a part of the conversation that spells doom and gloom for Anguilla. Such talk is for persons who seem to find some perverted pleasure in our island’s demise – simply to advance their selfish agenda.
Such conduct is not consistent with the message of peace that was a key component of the early vision of those patriots who struggled before our time – neither is it obedient to the cause or the promise of peace and salvation of which this Christmas Season reminds us.
I commend all those persons and businesses that are making an effort once again to cheer up our villages and communities with the glorious lights of Christmas. I especially commend the Lions Community Group that continues to spare neither expense nor effort to decorate and illuminate the trees and walks of Coronation Avenue in the Valley. They are indeed lifting many spirits as well as creating an atmosphere of joy; hope; and promise for Anguillan residents and visitors alike.
This message of Hope is appropriate to the many persons in our community who are feeling the impact of setbacks – even despair of various kinds in their lives at this time. Let us in the spirit of this season reach out to all of them in our prayers. But also let us not neglect the opportunity for giving and sharing in whatever way we can. Indeed, it is what Christmas is all about!
I want to especially thank the members of the Anguilla Public Service; The Governor and his team of officers; for their support and team spirit as they worked together, brilliantly, with my colleagues and I, in this enterprise to restore our island to beyond its former glory. We sincerely wish you and your families all the best for this blessed season.
To all Anguillans and to all residents; visitors and friends of Anguilla – let me take this opportunity on behalf of all my colleagues in government as well as my own family to wish you all a very blessed and joyous Christmas and continued good health; happiness and success for the New Year and many more years ahead.
May God bless you all and May God bless Anguilla!
Chief Minister Victor Banks
