As reported on page one, a new Governor, in the person of Ms Christina Scot, has been appointed to Anguilla. Commenting on her appointment, the present Governor, His Excellency Alistair Harrison, said at a press conference on Tuesday, October 23: “I was delighted to be able to announce the name of my successor… who will take over from me sometime next summer. I will announce the exact date in due course.
“The fact that the British Government has appointed such a distinguished public servant is a clear indication of the importance they attach toAnguilla. Equally, I would like to say that I enjoyed my three and a half years here, as have my wife and family. I am very pleased that the FCO extended my stay and I continue to enjoy serving as Governor until next summer. And I hope that at some stage I would pass the landmark of becoming Anguilla’s longest-serving Governor before I leave – and certainly not before about four and a half years have elapsed from my arrival.”
Governor Harrison said after learning that there was the probability that Ms Scot would have been appointed to succeed him, in accordance with the usual arrangements, he had informed Chief Minister Hubert Hughes about her appointment as a matter of protocol. “She is obviously the first female Governor of Anguilla, but I believe the second female Governor in British history – the first being Deborah Barnes-Jones in Montserrat,” he explained. “What has happened in my time in the Foreign Service is that many more women have risen to the top. We have had two ladies appointed as British Ambassadors in South Africa and there have been female ambassadors in many other countries…When I left Zambia I was actually succeeded by a husband and wife team who took turns to do the job. This time I am succeeded by a full-time woman.”
Mr Harrison went on: “Of course, I am very sad as are Sarah and our children – not exactly that our time is coming to an end – [for] we still have another nine months or so, but still we are in the final stage of our posting. After four and a half wonderful years we will finally be leaving the island and that makes me sad, but I am delighted that somebody so competent and distinguished is replacing me.”
The Governor said he still had plenty matters to see about. One in particular is the Cap Juluca issue on which he, Chief Minister Hughes and his Ministers, had been spending a lot of time and energy. “We are trying to find a solution which will give the resort a long-term and stable future,” he said. “That obviously is something which is a decision of the elected Ministers, but I will work very hard to support them as I have been doing. I hope that is the most important piece of unfinished business.” He stated that there were a number of other important matters that would occupy his time until he left the island. “I will continue to do my job right up to the time I got on the plane or the boat and leave next summer,” he added.
Governor Harrison’s press conference was specifically called to acquaint the media with the programme for the visit to Anguilla by the newly-appointed Minister for the Overseas Minister, Mr. Mark Simmons this week. He was happy that during his time in Anguilla a number of high-level officials had visited the island. “I think that is an indication of the importance that the British Government attaches to Anguilla,” he remarked.
The Governor said that the first appointment of the visiting Minister on Wednesday, October 26, following his arrival by boat from St. Maarten,involved separate meetings with the Chief Minister and others. He would then visit Cap Juluca, indicating the importance attached to the resort which is now closed.“I think that the British Government is very keen, as is the Anguillian Government, that we find a long-term solution,” he commented.
Apart from his one-on-one meeting with the Chief Minister, then with other officials, and his visit to Cap Juluca, Mr. Simmons’ programme included the following on Wednesday : a visit to Cuisinart Golf Resort and Spa; a meeting with the Renewable Energy Team at Hughes Medical Centre to see the solar panel installation there; a meeting at the Governor’s Office with the Anguilla Financial Action Task Force, whose Chairman is Jerome Roberts; a meeting at the Executive Council’s Chambers in connection with the Ports Authority Board; an evening reception at Government House where Mr. Simmons, Chief Minister Hughes and Opposition Leader delivered addresses.
The Overseas Territories Minister’s programme for Thursday included: a visit to the Anguilla Community College; a half hour meeting with Opposition members at the Governor’s residence; an interview with Keithstone Greaves on Radio Anguilla and with John Benjamin on Anguilla Television Channel 3 (AT-3); visits to The Valley Police Headquarters and Her Majesty’s Prison; the Department of Disaster Management; and the Financial Services Commission; a press conference at the Governor’s Office; and a visit to the Clayton J. Lloyd Airport and the Fire and Rescue Service Department.
Mr. Simmons, who was accompanied on his visits by Governor Harrison, left Anguilla on Thursday afternoon on the LIAT flight to Antigua on his return to London.
Governor Harrison said that the new Overseas Territories’ Minister had been very keen to visit some of the islands before he chaired the first meeting of the Joint Ministerial Council in December, which he (the Governor), and the Chief Minister, would be attending. “He decided to visit the BVI and Anguilla and I think he also visited one of the Atlantic territories,” the Governor added.
