Fellow Anguillians,
Many Anguillians may have read a press circular on social media from the Anguilla Stronger Emergency Relief Fund in connection with its decision to curtail its relief program to a number of Anguillians who have been recipients of these contributions since October 2017 in the aftermath of the infamous Hurricane Irma. The gist of the circular is that the decision to curtail the relief program is as a result of Government not fulfilling its commitment to exempt the Fund from normal customs duties.
Let me say at the outset that the Government and People of Anguilla strongly applaud The Starwood Capital Group for initiating this Fund and bringing on Board the other major hotel properties on the island to participate. I can recall the passion with which Mr. Roy Shanholtz, Vice President, Starwood Capital presented the idea to Government — as well as the efforts he employed to advance it from concept to reality. And I sincerely and gratefully commend the entire organization for its contribution to the cause of relief and restoration during the traumatic and depressing period after Irma. Anguillians will forever acknowledge this debt of gratitude for your contribution.
And while I am on my feet, let me also thank the literally hundreds of donors, many of which have asked to remain anonymous, for their support during those challenging times. This list includes investors in Anguilla; friends of Anguilla overseas; the Anguillian Diaspora groups and organization; and countries and institutions from the region and the wider world community. Anguillians feel proud for the respectful manner in which these various individuals and groups have engaged us in the relief and recovery process. We felt that this came from a genuine sense of charity devoid of any form of indignity or humiliation. No fanfare or boastfulness!
It is not my intention to engage the Management of Anguilla Stronger on any issues regarding the slow progress of the resolution of the issues regarding its importations — clearly there may be fair criticisms about the pace of that bureaucracy. However, we must express our dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Executive Director of Anguilla Stronger, in particular, has been engaging officials of the Anguilla Government. While I thank the Executive Director for her hard work, zeal and dedication, many recipients of her emails have expressed the view that they find her approach to be rude; disrespectful; and condescending.
These officials also believe that anyone upon reading her correspondence to Senior Government officials would come to a similar conclusion. Needless,to say, there are many officials who feel offended by the accusatory nature of some of the statements in the correspondence. Some of those statements would suggest that Government is extorting money from Anguilla Stronger and putting it to uses other than for the benefit of the people of Anguilla.
There are clear protocols about the management of relief; recovery; and reconstruction that apply in the aftermath of any disaster in Anguilla. This is to avoid the chaos that can result from having several well-intentioned donors eager to assist. There is a period for relief; there is a period for recovery; and there is a period for reconstruction. As far as these periods are concerned, Government is required to make certain determinations with regards timing after reviewing the entire situation. They granted concessions for foodstuff up until December 14, 2017; and building materials etc. up until March 31, 2018.
Rightly or wrongly, we believe it was necessary to establish timelines guided by the fact that businesses in Anguilla also need to carry on their operations and must at some point be able to sell their products on which they have paid customs duty. That customs duty goes to pay for Government services, for all the people of Anguilla, which include education; health; community development; police; fire services; and so on.
Customs duties constitute more than 40% of our revenue in an economy where there are no personal or corporate taxes. I must also mention that it is not the practice to give duty-free concessions on consumables — this only applies during such disasters and other very, very, deserving cases. In fact, the whole concept of bringing in relief is based on situations where the availability of such items has been affected by the disaster because of limitations on imports.
Having said all that, there is absolutely no reason why Anguilla Stronger should not be treated in a special way — given the nature of the organization and the genuine intentions of its donors/contributors. But we can have an objective discussion about that in an atmosphere of mutual respect. There is absolutely no value in veiled threats and derogatory statements. We are all on the same team. And we respect and appreciate the “widow’s mite” as readily as we respect and appreciate the “largesse” from donors of great means.
The latest circular of May 4, 2018, has clearly crossed the line in terms of the manner in which persons or organizations coming into our country, to assist in times of natural disaster, should conduct themselves. The circular clearly enters the realm of local politics by making statements that can bring the duly elected Government into disrepute and further tries to mobilize the recipients of relief against the Government.
For those listeners who have not read or seen the circular, let me highlight a few deprecating statements that were included in the circular and then explain why we consider them offensive. The author of the circular said, and I quote:
“And while we were busy delivering to you, your Government was busy taking from you”.
This clearly implies that the Government is actually taking away money from needy Anguillans
“(They) trusted us to be good guardians of their donations, ensuring no dollar was ever wasted”.
This suggests that paying customs duty is a waste. Maybe the author believes that all that Anguillians need to make it, after Irma, is the benevolence of Anguilla Stronger.
“We want to believe your Government is committed to helping the people of Anguilla”.
This questions whether this Government is truly committed to the people they represent as much as Anguilla Stronger purports to be. This is blatantly self-righteous, to say the least.
“At the root of our core mission is love. Love for Anguilla. Love for you, the people of Anguilla who make a naturally beautiful island extraordinarily special. And love for helping you and others in any way we can”.
This comes across very mushy. We do believe that Anguilla Stronger loves the people of Anguilla and have been very generous. However, the context suggests that they love Anguilla more than the duly elected Government and have their interests more at heart.
“Please share your testimonials with us so that we can share it with your Government”.
Soliciting statements on how much the natives appreciate them, could appear as if the author of this circular has intentions to run for political office in Anguilla.
Let me make a few candid points in terms of the way we feel. Anguillians appreciate the support and relief provided by generous donors but, at the end of the day, we are proud people and do not want to be dependent on baskets of food indefinitely. Anguillians want to get jobs and business opportunities – so that they can fend for themselves and their families – not handouts.
They want a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s pay — not to be on contract without the guarantee of long-term employment to bring stability into their lives and security at the bank.
They want to have labour laws that protect them against ruthless employers — not to operate in an employment relationship where the rules are not clear.
They want to be able to aspire to the highest echelons of management in their country – not to be passed over simply because they are not perceived to be qualified. In a few words: “They want a hand up not a handout!”
It is in this context, that the idea of the author of the circular telling us how much their organization has done for the country can come across as being very patronizing — giving the impression that they care more about you than your own representatives care about you. It gives the impression that the author derives a sense of power having Anguillians in this charitable relationship for extended periods of time.
We too, have testimonials from Anguillians who feel that it is demeaning to be standing in line seven months after Irma to get a basket of food from Anguilla Stronger. Many persons who actually need the assistance do not show up. This is why the Government has suggested that perhaps vouchers or cash, as we have done, is a more dignified way of assisting seven months after the storm. People then can buy with dignity what they actually need. Not what someone believes they deserve. In addition, businesses in Anguilla who pay customs duty can make a sale and keep their businesses viable.
What I am saying is that this requires a civil exchange and discussion among all parties concerned. And if the contributors understand the philosophy of what is appropriate at this time, I am sure that Anguilla Stronger can convince them that this approach will be more universally helpful.
I am not sure exactly who the author or authors of this circular are. However, I firmly believe that the contents of that document do not reflect the views of the donors of Anguilla Stronger. They would not expect their team operating in a jurisdiction outside of their borders, would conduct themselves in such a manner. I would think that they would be extremely upset to have any officer in their organization engaging with their host Government in such a blatantly divisive and political tone.
As Chief Minister of Anguilla, I will always treat investors and visitors to our island with mutual respect. I will be meeting with some of the principals of Anguilla Stronger, over the next few days, to personally voice my dissatisfaction with the tone of the circular. This approach to our negotiations is clearly unwarranted.
I, therefore, look forward to a meeting that can establish the kind of relationship that can lead to a better environment in which to advance the interest of the Anguillian people. Although we have different roles, I am sure that we are on the same team — no individual or group of individuals have the monopoly on the best way to make Anguilla stronger; better; and more resilient. And most of all, we want the world to recognize that it is our purpose to build a nation proud, strong and free. You may have noticed that in that mantra “proud” comes first.
May God bless you all, and may God Bless Anguilla.
