| A number of events in the immediate past in Anguilla resulted in much apprehension among the citizenry and also presumably some negative publicity outside the island. The incidents included a resurgence of criminal activity such as violent robberies and shootings which caused serious injury to the victims. On top of all of that has been the unfortunate situation at Cap Juluca which, until it substantially lessened, within days, had squarely placed the world-renowned propertyat thecrossroads in the island’s up-market tourism industry. |
| It is rather disheartening, and a cause for much concern, that an otherwise tranquil island paradise, like Anguilla, should have had its reputation soiled by the misguided and dishonest acts of a few persons whosewanton behaviour impacted so many of our people.The swift andvociferous condemnation from church, community and political groups and individuals, generated by these acts of criminality, gave much hope and comfort that our society is not prepared to tolerate such anti-social acts. The commission of such crimes strikes hard at the core of all of our efforts to build a society in which safety, honesty and love can strive, and where all persons can enjoy a sense of peaceful co-existence. The acts of crime and violence put additional and unnecessary law and order burdens on our already over-worked and limited Police Force; swell the lists of cases before the Courts and increase the population of our largely over-crowded prison. It must be the hope and prayer of all of us that these terrible acts will cease, and Anguilla will distinguish itself as a well-ordered community with respect for people’s safety, life and hard-earned possessions. One way to ensure this is for members of the public and the Police to work together to combat crime and to bring the felons to justice. Turning to our economy, it is reassuring that the situation surrounding Cap Juluca, though still obviously clouded, is showing a measure of improvement with a lessening of the threat of closure. One does not even want to surmise what the devastating effects a closure of the property would have on 400 dedicated workers and their families; the economy; Anguilla and tourism on a whole; as well as the hotel and the investors themselves. The island is already in the grips of a bad financial position and the closure of Malliouhana Hotel and Spa, another world-class hotel, and the plight of almost 200 employees out of work, have added much to our economic problems. The hope is that some positive news about the-reopening of this hotel, which had in fact launched Anguilla’s up-market tourism product, would soon be heard. In the meantime if there is anything that the Government can do to bring this about it should be done with all haste. At the same time, much attention on the island continues to be focused on the Golf Course project where the villa development is needed to recommence in order to boost the construction industry, employment and economic activity. In terms of other projects, it is also hoped that at least some, if not all, of them for which MoUs have been signed would begin to move. The most recent is the Scrub Island project. The several families involved in the partnership must do all in their power to push both the Government and the developer to proceed as quickly as possible and thus avoid the delay that has characterised the other development proposals referred to above. Anguilla has shown itself, over the years, as an island on the move. It has surprised many of its Caribbean neighbours by its economic growth mainly in tourism development and has even surpassed them. There is a need to work assiduously to overcome the unfortunate events of the past days; to control crime and violence which have a demeaning effect on community life; and to keep our tourism properties functioning to ensurethe success and survivability of an industry which is the lifeblood of our economy and on whichthe wellbeing of our people, and diverse businesses, depend so much. |
