The Anguilla House of Assembly met in the adjoining High Court section of the Hurricane Irma-damaged House of Assembly/High Court Complex on Tuesday afternoon, October 10, with the majority of members attired in casual wear, still recovering from the effects of the hurricane.
During the first part of the meeting, the Leader of the Opposition, Ms. Palmavon Webster, posed one question to Chief Minister and Minister of Finance and Tourism, Mr, Victor Banks. She later asked a question, divided in four parts, to the Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing, Mr. Curtis Richardson.
She addressed Mr. Banks as follows: “Whereas it is recognised that the Government of Anguilla is faced with major challenges, and needs the support of all Anguillian people, united in the objective of restoring the environment and the economy as expeditiously and successfully as possible:
“What steps is his government taking to ameliorate the potentially disastrous consequences of Hurricane Irma for the 2017/2018 tourism season and for the government’s financial projections?”
The following is the Chief Minister’s reply:
“I am grateful to the Honourable Member for Island Harbour for asking this question. However, in the context of the situation in Anguilla today, it is not a challenge for the Government of Anguilla alone. It is a challenge for the entire country and it is for the entire Anguillian Community to play its part to ameliorate the “potentially disastrous consequences” of Hurricane Irma for the 2017/2018 Tourism Season and the Government’s Financial Projections.
“Since the Honourable Member has alluded, in her preamble to the question, that these challenges need the support of all Anguillian People united in the objective of restoring the environment and the economy, let me take this opportunity once again to thank all Anguillians and Residents of Anguilla for their efforts here at home to do their part in this enterprise. As well as Anguillians and Friends of Anguillian living abroad who have been very dedicated to the cause of bringing relief to a ravaged people in the aftermath of this horrible hurricane.
“What now remains to be done is to restore our country and build her stronger than she has ever been. As the Honourable Member pointed out, this is a job for all of us doing our part with one common objective which is “Restoration and Reconstruction.” All hands must be to the plough.
“The challenges to our people in the aftermath are severe. People lost their homes, property; jobs and other possessions and they must now start their lives and their livelihoods all over again. Government must facilitate that process in as many creative ways that can be devised. Our economy is mainly based on Tourism and the linkage industries that supply its needs. As a consequence over 60% of Government revenues are derived from these sectors directly and indirectly, principally from Accommodation Tax and Customs Revenue. It is therefore critical to our success that the Government does as much as it can to facilitate its recovery. This involves restoring access to our destination by sea and air. As a consequence the rebuilding the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal; The Simpson Bay ferry Terminal and expanding the CLJ International Airport must be an urgent consideration.
“Secondly, we must ensure that there is island wide electricity quickly since our tourism accommodations are spread around the island.
“Thirdly, while we recognize that there is a need for considerable rebuilding to Tourism Properties this will affect over 1500 jobs. We must find ways to lighten the impact by negotiating equitable packages and using moral suasion to encourage owners to assist their employees in as many ways as they can.
“I must admit that many hotel investors have gone beyond what is required of them to assist workers to make it over this closure period as anticipated. However, equal there are clear cases where some properties have been rather abrupt and traumatic for employees in the way they have handled these matters. Government will look into these issues to ensure equity and fairness.
“The Government is also looking at other creative ways to help workers in this sector and there are a number of the hoteliers and Investors who are actively raising funds to support staff in the industry. This is commendable and we are grateful for the effort.
“It is also noteworthy that though many of the larger properties are closing for repairs etc. — all of them have assured us that they intend to stay here and build stronger. They are not running away! And other investors with whom we were negotiating before Hurricane Irma struck have reaffirmed their commitment to continuing to pursue their plans.
Incentives to make this happen
– Duty free concession, Trade facilitation, improving areas of business, and other forms of assistance to expedite the recovery process.
– All our plans are dependent on the ready availability of financing. In this regard the British Government in its role as Administering Power is processing/telegraphing positive support for all of incentives.
– We take them (the UK Government) at their word but we will hold them to their promise of a substantial financial package in a timely manner. These discussions are ongoing and a team left here this morning after a long weekend of trying to assess the kind of substantial responses that can help build back Anguilla.
“It is our job to make them understand the gravity of the situation and respond adequately. Despite their willingness to do so, there are constraints. British taxpayers do not necessarily understand the Overseas Territories and therefore it is a challenge in itself for the political directorate to rationalize/justify any questions of financial response they would offer.
“We therefore as a Government and people must make the case and because of our pride, we want to do it with dignity clearly explaining that this is not welfarism but rather a humanitarian response to a country that has been ravaged.
“Since by nature of our constitutional arrangements we have a maternal relationship with the British Government — we expect that compassion to mimic that of a mother and a child in need of help. It is a special relationship that we continue to affirm in our conversations — but now it must take on tangible manifestation in the way that we will be treated especially after being hit by a weather event — indeed a disaster of unprecedented proportions and ferocity in the recorded history of our region.
“So once again, I thank the Member for giving me this opportunity through her question. And trust that her motives for asking the question are in helping with her stated declaration that Anguilla needs a united response.
“I humbly submit that this Government has no tolerance for political posturing or baseless/malicious commentary as we remain focused on this serious enterprise for the benefit of all the people of Anguilla.
“Let me leave you with a tag line that was placed on my heart as I pondered on our situation: “Anguilla has been ravaged but is still ravishing.”
God bless Anguilla! God bless us all!”
Ms. Webster’s 4-part question to Minister Curtis Richardson and his replies were as follows:
Question 1) What were the considerations that led to the decision to demolish and entirely rebuild the port facility at Blowing Point, rather than repairing the existing structures?
Answer: Mr Speaker, all the considerations were metered out by catergory 5 plus Hurricane Irma. Hurricane Irma consulted with no one and was instructed by no one to demolish the Blowing Point Port Facility. As the Minister of Infrastructure I felt powerless but I must be honest and tell this honourable house that I was left out of the decision making process to destroy the port facility on September 6th, 2017. Hurricane in less than 24 hours declared it to be her 2017 contribution to Anguilla’s upward mobility and modernization. No compensation is sort Mr. Speaker. All that is required in the aftermath is that we rebuild.
So Mr. Speaker, the single two considerations available to me after Hurricane Irma’s passage was to support the cleanup and the removal of the unsightly torn apart piles of rubbish that was lying wasted and scattered and to rebuild a new modern facility at the port. Only a person steep in folly and ignorance could refer to the ruins before their eyes at the Blowing Point Port as a structure fit for repairs in a five star tourism destination.
When the Ferry Terminal was at its best Four Seasons made a request that their guests be allowed to arrive and depart through the Cove with no building and trek from a barren pier to their hotel simply because the terminal was deemed substandard. It must be a joke we are making to even discuss considerations to repairing a structure already refused by investors and Anguillians for its aesthetics after Irma’s alterations. Are we really serious about defending people’s lives and special needs in this country?
Mr. Speaker, Hurricane Irma made the ultimate decision that the only word fitting the Blowing Port Facility and many other structures throughout the country in the aftermath is rebuild, yes rebuild. The word in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma is rebuild so let us inculcate it in our craniums! Yes we are out to build a new Anguilla!
The Island Harbour Vivian Vanterpool Primary – rebuild. Rebuild not repair! The destroyed Airport Tower and firehall – rebuild. Rebuild not repair! Anglec’s distribution network –rebuild! Not repair!
From the craved Runway Extension and Airport Expansion to the Hurricane Irma Demolished Port Facility at Blowing Point, which we will name after one of our renown community seamen when it is rebuilt, to the once bat and mice infested Adrian T. Hazell Primary, we declare rebuild. Rebuild Not repair!
From the aged Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, to the patched up Princess Alexandra Hospital, we proclaim rebuild! Mr. Speaker, rebuild! Not repair!
Question 2) When is the rebuilt facility expected to be ready for use?
Answer: Mr. Speaker, the rebuilt facility will be ready for use within a period of two to three years. We must take in to account several factors including architectural renderings, construction timetables and supporting financial frameworks.
Question 3) Pending its completion, what facilities and ferry services will be available for sea departures from and arrivals to Anguilla?
Answer: The ferry service and charter boat service will resume before November 1st, 2017, and changes in the facilities utilized are anticipated given the level of issues and concerns both in Anguilla and in St Maarten/St. Martin in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. I suggest the Romneys property be utilized if possible rather than try to fit in the congested space below the police station at the port.
Question 4) What are the projected cost and sources of funding for the development at Blowing Point?
Answer: Mr. Speaker. the cost of the vision range from US$10 Million to US$30 Million. Anguilla will have a modern state of the art facility with supporting infrastructure, with all the amenities which includes screens showing departures and arrival information, voice messaging on a PA System, restaurants, boutiques, office spaces, an added finger jetty, adequate and easy parking, happy taxi drivers, overjoyed and comfortable travelers and delightful workers, great security, and road reconstruction into Cul de sac.
Mr. Speaker, the source of funding is not yet secured but several avenues are being potential considered which include firstly a full grant from the British Government, and should that fails to my great surprise, we can seek support through financial institutions like the CDB and pursue many other arrangements such as were used to get the jetty at Sandy Ground completed or to get the fire truck at Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport maintaining ASSI Certification. We have come this far by faith leaning on the Lord. Why now rely on our intellect. Have we forgotten that out of a candle dripping wax we today now have Anglec. Out of our three fire rocks we now have our fancy kitchens. Out of our rags and flour bags we now wear silk and linen. Our feet weary from walking down dusty roads from West End to Island Harbour, now drive Hummers, Beamers and Marches on miles and miles of Asphalt. Since when have acts of bemusement, indifference, neglect, abandonment, barrenness and drought, scarcity and lack, and the like discouraged the Anguillian? Do you really need me to answer the question where will the money come from?
Mr. Speaker, there is a compelling obligation that I summd up to be about 2 billion dollars that Hurricane Irma has written on the landscape of our nation in big and bold script. Namely unemployment and income losses, damages to government property, damages to private homes, damages within the business sector, budgetary support, energy resilience, and infrastructural needs. We hope those responsible to read it can and will read it. But if Irma’s writings are not readable because it should have been in brail we will find ourselves not pitiful but resilient.
Mr. Speaker since the funding of national infrastructural needs such as the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal and the airport extension and expansion are more about national development, national security and underpinning economic growth and sustainability rather than just money I wish in closing my response to this question of where will the funding come from to share a fundamental principle about responsibility and security.
In a battle when a solider is severely wounded or is facing peril he sends a signal and looks for the standard to be raised. It is the flag or marking of his kingdom. When the standard is not raised he knows he is by choice left on his own within his circumstances to perish. But when the standard is raised he knows the consideration is no longer about his ability to defend or secure himself. He knows that those charged with his responsibility will without fail and without asking for a case, put out their utmost best, not their minimum, their maximum, in the assurance of changing his prevailing circumstances guaranteeing his eventual safety and security.
Mr. Speaker, Anguilla has been attacked, brutalized and severely devastated by category five plus Hurricane Irma. Many Anguillians are in their foxholes wounded and bleeding desperately fighting for their lives, Casualties are all around us, I am in my foxhole fighting too sir, I am very concerned, can you please tell me has the standard been raised as yet? I thank you!
Earlier during its sitting the House of Assembly resumed the tributes it started on September 26 to the late Franklin Connor, OBE. Mr. Connor, an outstanding former Public Servant, passed away on Friday, August 25. During his public service career, he served as Administrative Cadet; Financial Secretary (the equivalent of a de factor Minister of Finance); Permanent Secretary, Finance; Acting Deputy Governor and Acting Governor.
The other business of the House included the second and third readings of the Coroner (Amendment) Bill, 2017; and the second and third readings of the Trade, Business, Occupations and Professions Licensing (Amendment) Bill, 2017, all relating to the establishment and operation of a crematorium.
