As 2013 winds down, the month of December is closing with several events that are both promising and discouraging for the future of Anguilla. The fact is that it is up to us, as a responsible and resilient people, in an emerging island nation, to take charge of the situation as best as we can and forge ahead on the right track, ever looking upward.
Topping the list of hopeful events is this Thursday’s presentation of the 2014 Budget Address by the Hon Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Hubert Hughes. Luckily for us it appears that there have not been any untoward encumbrances, or other difficulties, to have hindered the budgetary process and approval on the part of the British Government, as was the case with some three previous budgets. This must not only be a relief to the people of the island, and the business sector, to whom and to which a national budget is a sign of progress and financial stability. It is also a relief to Government but, in particular, the hard-working technocrats in the Ministry of Finance who were responsible for putting together and balancing the figures of revenue and expenditure in a most difficult economic period.
At the same time, much appreciation must be extended to the three Opposition Members who, rather than walking out of the House of Assembly, as they recently did, leaving the House without a quorum to transact business,turned out in full for the budget address. It is expected that they will also be most present for the debate next week, an essential part of the budgetary process on the local scene. This is certainly a show of responsibility at a very crucial time when nothing must interfere with the finances of Anguilla. They would have lost much credibility if they had decided to stay away.
Another hopeful event was the meeting of various stakeholders in the tourism sector and other persons, including the clergy, to give their candid views and suggestions regarding a comprehensive tourism policy for Anguilla, at Government’s invitation. Although there have been some attempts over the years to make adjustments or improvements to the current policy, this is really the first time, in thirty-five years, that a meaningful and extensive effort is being made to put a comprehensive policy in place.
This certainly takes into account the changing times and the growing demands of the tourism industry at the local, regional and international level. A report on this initiative by Government, printed elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian, explains the wide scope of the proposed comprehensive tourism policy as contained in the questionnaire that was distributed to the stakeholders for completion. Some of the questions included whether the seasonality of the tourist industry should be reduced and occupancy increased; whether cruise tourism should be pursued and what size ships and passenger numbers should be permitted; whether legislation to encourage better waste management should be enforced (taking into account the demands of an up-market and clean destination); whether Government should institute measures to ensure a safe destination for citizens and tourists; whether gambling and casino facilities should be permitted;and whether jet skis should be encouraged. The list of questions is exhaustive and what have been mentioned here are only those questions which appear to jump out of the 14 x 8.5 three-page questionnaire.We can only hope that the right policy decisions are made because, after all, tourism is the mainstay of Anguilla’s economy, a big contributor to the budget and the livelihood of our people.
Yet another hopeful event has been the National Youth Conference, embracing young people and youth organisations from across the island. The climax was a parliamentary session with elected representatives in the House of Assembly at which they heard various questions, views and recommendations forcefully articulated by the youngsters, many of whom were of school age and concerned about their future and that of the island. If any advice to the young people was most helpful at this time, it was that givenat the opening of the National Conference by the Permanent Secretary responsible for Youth Affairs, Mrs Chanelle Petty Barrett.
She told them in part: “I encourage you to combine your energy, intellect, imagination and talent with the tools you will gain at this conference to demand attention be given to those matters which are important to you and to your future in this society. Your voice must be constant and your message must be clear.” She also advised them: “Not only must you be willing to speak – you must be willing to do. Don’t be content with telling others what needs to be done – you must be prepared to give your time and effort to effecting change where change is needed. If you are to take over the reins in the future, you have to get on the horse from now. You must help to shape the Anguilla we live in today and the Anguilla that generations to come will be proud to call home.” Those were ‘sound words that cannot be condemned’. Our young people need proper advice, guidance and assistance. If we have responsible and well positioned youth, this would be a great hope for the future of Anguilla.
A fourth hopeful event was the Corporate Governance Workshop for Statutory Bodies held by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing. It was not only for those statutory bodies under that ministry, but for other public and private representatives as well. A quotation from the address of the Acting Governor, Stanley Reid, underscored the importance of the workshop. He said: “The value of practicing good corporate governance becomes clear when it is realised that the decisions of major donors and international financial institutions, as to whether they will grant aid or a loan, is dependent on whether good governance is being practiced. In essence, the practice of good governance ensures that a corporate entity has a good reputation. This in turn generates goodwill with the investors and customers, which translates into good marketing and more business for the entity.” To follow this advice, is to have much good hope for the future of Anguilla.
Aside from the above hopeful events in Anguilla, are incidents of crime which we must be very concerned about. Reports this week continue to speak of growing thefts, robberies and burglaries among other serious crimes. It is particularly worrying to hear about aggravated and violent robberies, and the injury of victims by the perpetrators. One of the questions from the questionnaire for the comprehensive tourism policy is whether the Government shouldinstitute measures to ensure a safe destination for citizens and tourists.The answer is a resounding YES! Without that course of strong action, crime may ruin the future of Anguilla and dash all of our hopes for a brighter tomorrow.
