STORMS IN TEACUPS

Apart from the Atlantic Hurricane Season, which is threatening Anguilla, (not to mention the other Caribbean islands) two other types of storms appear to be hovering menacingly over Anguilla. The hope is, however, that they will eventually and harmlessly dissipate like some of the recent tropical depressions.

One of the so-called storms is the tumult which the Chief Minister is raising about the transfer of Permanent Secretaries especially those in his Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. He is up against the Governor and more so the Deputy Governor who has actually made the decision. One can understand how he may feel about the level of trust, and dependence, that he is said to have built up in the ability of his Permanent Secretaries, but there is no reason for this to be compromised by those who will replace them and continue to servejust as loyally and effectively as advisers rather than decision-makers as is normally the case. But everywhere public servants, with admirable academic prowess and experience, are known to be often transferred by those overseeing the administration of the public service to other portfolios for whatever reasons they thought best.

There are a number of retired Permanent Secretaries in Anguilla, known for their dedication and brilliance, who had been repeatedly transferred around in their jobs over the years, but were able to make sterling contributions wherever they were appointed. The political directorate in Anguilla, and elsewhere in the Caribbean, has always toyed with the idea that it should have a greater say in, or even a measure of control of, the public service, but in several respects this could be counter-productive or have unfortunate consequences. The Chief Minister of Anguilla has expressed the view, and perhaps unfortunately so, that the transfers represent an effort to destabilize his Government. That is his suspicion and opinion, not necessarily a fact.

It is a great pity that a war of words has already started which can only lead to new and unnecessary conflict between the Chief Minister and the Governor’s Office and perhaps to a measure ofdistrust and instability at this difficult economic and financial period. Only time will tell whether or not Mr. Hughes has reason for fear or doubt, or whether – by categorically stating, at this early stage, his objection to accepting the transfers – he is not in fact creating an emerging problem.

Certainly, there are more urgent and tedious matters of state and governance to be concerned about without adding to the serious challenges which the island already faces. The people of Anguilla are growing tired of conflict in the hierarchy of government and administration and are desirous for some close attention to be paid to the real issues and concerns that confront both the Government and the citizenry. If there is anything that should comfort the Chief Minister about the transfers, if for some reason the transferees fail in their new jobs, it should not really be the Government’s headache to deal with that matter. And failure is considered not to be an issue unless through lack of cooperation by any politician objecting to the transfers. What is important will be for Ministers and Permanent Secretaries to work together to promote greater efficiency in the best interest of the island and its people.

The other storm that is brewing concerns a request of the Anguilla Civil Service Association, to the Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, for repayment of salary deductions owed to Civil Servants by Government. The request has been made against the backdrop of the recent auction sale of the Viceroy development and the substantial amount of transfer tax and other fees to be paid to the Government. The letter from ACSA makes the point that the money would be sufficient to pay Civil Servants the outstanding salaries owed to them, while leaving a significant amount to meet other financial requirements. The letter also speaks about the sacrifice of the workers and the financial hardship they endured over the past two years.

The Chief Minister makes the point that he was not part of any commitment by the previous Government in 2009 to repay the Civil Servants when the economy showed improvement or by any windfall money, and that such a process was unheard of anywhere. He also states that the money from Viceroy was not a windfall, but an opportunity for the present Government to recover monies not collected by the previous Government from Alien Landholding licences. The fact is that the money coming from the sale of the Viceroy Hotel was not budgeted for and therefore may be considered to be a windfall.

The Government should listen to the cries of the Civil Servants and examine in what way some form of repayment could be made to the suffering workers for any given period or at least double salaries for Christmas for example. It is useless for the political directorate to talk about caring for the needs of its people, but failing to demonstrate this when an occasion to assist them arises. There is no need to allow this matter, and the furore over the transfer of the Permanent Secretaries, to get out of hand. Both matters are potential storms in teacups which can be contained therein without being allowed to escalate any further.