We do not deny that a few of our foreign investors are, to an extent, gracious and generous to us in terms of financial and material assistance, having benefitted exceedingly from what they received from Anguilla over the years. But what we are saying is that, what some of them have given to us has been grossly insufficient and others have never helped us in any appreciable manner. Our problems are manifold. They include severe needs in education, health and sport facilities, air and sea port development, improved roads, portable water, cheaper electricity, and a whole range of other services and amenities too numerous to mention.
In the past, and even ever so often, investors, particularly those who have obtained, and continue to acquire, land for development, and other good deals, have walked away without making any contribution whatsoever to the social development of Anguilla. Not only have investors sought out and acquired the best of our land and beautiful sites, but have applied for, and were granted, duty-free concessions and even perhaps some forms of tax relief, amounting to large sums in their pockets over a lengthy period of years. Surely, many of our investors, and other expatriate businessmen, can enter into private/public partnership arrangements that can make a substantial difference to the development of our small, but growing community.
We are aware that, perhaps, under such strenuous measures as the Anguilla Framework For Fiscal Responsibility, and the Procurement Policy, there may be certain entrenched guidelines and regulations to adhere to, but when the necessary requirements are satisfied and followed, there should really be no barriers or conflicts to private sector donations. It is known that a number of our neighbouring islands have benefitted from cash and in kind contributions from various sources, and there is no reason why Anguilla cannot be able to receive and acknowledge any outpouring of grants of monetary and technical assistance that may come our way. It is our hope that our Government would make it mandatory that on every occasion that an investor or developer comes to Anguilla to do business, that such persons make a fulfilled and worthwhile commitment to lend a helping hand to support some specified programme or community project in Anguilla.
In the area of sports, there is a highly possible Anguilla/British Government arrangement which should be vigorously pursued. It has to do with at least two outstanding Anguillian athletes – Shara Proctor and Zharnel Hughes – who are performing at a high and professional level in international sporting competitions and representing Great Britain. Anguilla hardly ever gets a mention for having been involved in the birth or early nurturing of these two nationals. With more Anguillians excelling on the world athletic stage, it is expected that in the future other Anguilla-born nationals may serve as members of British competitive teams. What are the prospects for Anguilla to benefit from this contribution of human and sports capital, so – to – speak, to the UK?
It is heartening that there appears to be some proactive steps in progress. The Honourable Minister of Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers, told us about two initiatives of the Anguilla Government towards receiving some kind of assistance from the UK which is benefitting from the island’s athletes. Just this week the Minister, speaking at a town hall meeting at Sandy Hill, said he had recently represented the Chief Minister at a preparatory agenda meeting in Bermuda for the November Ministerial Council conference scheduled to convene in London in November.
The Minister disclosed that he was able to get an item placed on the agenda there for the establishment of an Overseas Territories Sports Council whereby Anguilla could receive assistance in return for the performance of its athletes in the UK. He noted that the UK Sports Department was the recipient of some 500,000 million pounds annually from several British liberal sources, but none of the funding was being made available to Anguilla. Mr. Rogers also said that the Anguilla Government had sent the Honourable Parliamentary Secretary, Sports, Mr. Cardigan Connor, to the World Championships in Beijing to discuss assistance for Anguilla with the British Minister of Sports and others who attended the event. Since then, Mr. Connor has reported that an official from UK Sports is to visit Anguilla for discussions and to see existing sports facilities. It is understood that the talking point will be about financial assistance for a badly-needed and planned athletic track for the island.
The above matters point to positive indications that all those who are beneficiaries of Anguilla, in one shape or form, can be requested to contribute to Anguilla and must help us.
