Were it not for the dispute over Cap Juluca, that has resulted in its indefinite closure and the anguish it is causing in Anguilla, the news about imminent plans to substantially extend the airport runway would not have had such a distraction. That is the problem with negative matters – they tend to becloud the positive things of life and steal any excitement one may otherwise have.
It is certainly good news to hear that a move is afoot for a team of consultants to visit Anguilla shortly to begin a process of economic and financial analysis with respect to the extension of the airstrip. This is not to say that it is a project that will be implemented without delay as there are a number of factors to take into consideration. The main and immediate obstacle, of course, is the unavailability of a ready source of money for its financing.
What appears to have already been done includes the design drawing for the airstrip extension although, in reality, such work is not seen as requiring a great deal of painstaking time and effort. Another matter in hand is reportedly the availability of some acquired land, but with the acquisition of additional lots still to be finalised.
A Port Authority forAnguilla, regarded as an essential component in the economic development of the island, was first heard about when the previous Government of Anguilla was notified by the European Commission that it was a requirementin order to access EU funds for port and transportation development. Since that is the case, it may be possible now, that such a body is in existence, for the Anguillian authorities to get some EU funding either to extend the airport runway themselves, or to enter into a partnership with a private developer. The only thing is that the profits would have to be shared with such an investor.
It has always been somewhat difficult to understand why the British Government had declined to allowAnguillato take advantage of a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank to develop the Blowing Point Port. A model of that project was proudly displayed by the Ministry of Infrastructure and the consultants at the Passenger Terminal, but to no avail. It has not been seen since. The Anguilla Government’s view was that when completed the tourism-driven project would pay for itself and thus repay the CDB loan. But, at the time, the British Government pointed to its strictly-enforced borrowing guidelines for theOverseasTerritories, and the fact that it could not allow itself to become involved in contingent liabilities.
It is understood that there has been some relaxation of those borrowing guidelines. This dispensation should probably therefore be of much assistance and encouragement to the Government, and the Air and Seaports Authority, to try their luck at winning approval to borrow some of the needed funds for the airport extension. There should be no objection to accessing funds either through an EU loan or, better still, a grant which does not have to be repaid.
The extension of the runway would have several advantages forAnguilla. For one, it would help to grow the economy through increased tourism with direct flights from mainlandUnited Statesprovided by certain large carriers. This would mean a welcome solution to the access problem facing the island and, as indicated above, an incentive to woo more tourists toAnguilla. The spin-offs to the island’s resorts, ancillary services, and the territory on a whole, would be far greater than at present.
Let us hope that the planned extension of the airstrip would materialise as quickly as possible, giving Anguilla and its people some renewed hope for the furtherinfrastructual development of the island.
