Anyone who witnessed the high level of enthusiasm and interest displayed during the main three sporting activities in Anguilla, over the past several days, may have found it difficult to believe that under that seemingly care-free cloak, there is much suffering on the island from a dead economy. Those events were the opening of the 25th Annual Primary Schools Football Competition; the London Olympics Legacy Showcase of sports and cultural performances; and the arrival of the FIFA World Cup Trophy – all of which attracted large crowds showing no signs of the state of economic impoverishment and delusion that has overtaken our island.
Well, true to their history, Anguillians are a resilient people who do not necessarily go about their business with long faces, lamentation and despondency. But when the Chief Minister, the political leader of Anguilla, openly complained on Radio Anguilla on Monday this week that the island has a dead economy, as he has done repeatedly, it is certainly time to take note and to be overly concerned.He spoke in a similar vein the following day (Tuesday) at the welcome ceremony for the FIFA World Cup Trophy, and on the eve of the visit of the Director of the Overseas Territories. Mr Hughes, who turned 80 years old on that day, said in part:
The economy is definitely not advancing so we will have to do something about the economy…and I am very much disappointed and dissatisfied that Anguilla’s economy has deliberately been denied growth. And I am going to do my very best in the few days I have left in politics, and in government, to ensure that there is a colossal change in the economy of this island. To do that, we will have to look at innovative ways because we cannot go along with the tradition of expecting godfathers to give us money. There are no more godfathers in the world today so we have to look at innovative and constructive ways of changing our focus and looking for development from different sources.
Tomorrow, I expect the Head of the British Overseas Development [Territories], Dr Hayes, to come to Anguilla. I expect for some of you to come to the Library Resource Centre and express your views about how you feel about your standard of living – and the fact that Anguilla needs so much in social development, in health and education which is falling apart. We need to bring [this] to him. He seems to be a very nice guy. I met him in London and I am sure that he will give you a listening ear. There is a lot that we can do in this island. We have the potential to be like another Cayman Islands. Unfortunately, we won’t really get there – but we can get near there if we only understand where we are and what we should do better for Anguilla.
There are two matters which evoke comment here. The first is that it appears to be a sign of goodwill and responsibility that the Director of the Overseas Territories, who undertook to pay a whirlwind visit to Anguilla, willingly offered to appear at a one-hour question and answer session with the Anguillian public. This is indeed both democratic and statesman like – as well as an acknowledgement that the British Government needs to lend an ear to the problems of the people of its territories and examine ways in which their complaints and cries can be addressed. Like the Chief Minister said, the meeting provided an opportunity for the public to speak about problems regarding their standard of living. It also provided an opportunity to field many other important questions such as taxation, the possibility of monetary aid and the future of Anguilla. There is no doubt that Anguilla needs some good assistance with its budget and other financial matters – and it would be most welcome if this, and other forms of urgent fiscal aid, could be provided to the island by the British Government.
The second matter for comment is the Chief Minister’s disappointment that Anguilla’s economy is not advancing. He may have preferably said that the economy is dead as he has so rightly stressed on several occasions. Of course, he has apportioned blame, as he always has, on some person or persons for “deliberating denying growth to the island’s economy.” In fact, we must not forget that there are a number of signed and unfulfilled MOUs with various developers which have not yielded any business or economic development for Anguilla. This, itself, must be a big embarrassment for our Government for not being able to get the developers to honour their commitments or even pay some form of penalty.
On the other hand, it is not easy for a head of government to admit that the economy is not advancing – or is dead – in the country he is leading. For this reason, the Chief Minister should be commended for his honesty, especially if it appears that it may be a fault of his government’s leadership style and inability in some respects.
A matter that may be of some hope for Anguilla is the Chief Minister’s statement, earlier this week, that the Government, Mr Charles Hickoxof Cap Julucaand his financial partner, are returning to the discussion table. It is also heartening to hear the Chief Minister speaking about the issuing of an Alien Landholding Licence, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, ostensibly to remove some of the obstacles in the way of the progress and proper functioning of the hotel. The problems which have long plagued this world-class resort constitute a type of effrontery especially taking into account that it sits on a very large acreage of prime Crown Land in the heart of the island’s tourism belt. It is a pity that some positive action could not have been taken before, as announced by the Chief Minister, in relation to the discussions. For one thing, many, if not all, of the employeesmight have been able to retain their jobs.
The Chief Minister said, we have to look at innovative and constructive ways of changing our focus and for development from different sources. He is so correct. Even now, it is hoped, according to him, that “in the last few days he has left in politics, and in government,” he will “ensure that there is a colossal change in the economy of this island.”
Cap Juluca and the Golf Course project, of which he spoke this week,are only two contributory sources of development to the failing economy. There is an urgent need to tap into other sources to rebuild the economy which badly needs an injection of capital for its revival.
