Following is an interview with chief minister Victor Banks, in connection with the first Anniversary of Governor Tim Foy, OBE, in Anguilla.
The Anguillian: Chief Minister would you like to make a short comment on H. E. Tim Foy’s first anniversary as Governor of Anguilla?
Chief Minister: It is not a very well-kept secret that the Governor and I have an excellent working, but in addition to that I consider us to be friends. That relationship is based on openness and honesty about the way we feel on every issue. From the time we first met in London, before he travelled to Anguilla, I told my colleagues that he is saying the right things, and I hope that this truly represents the kind of Governor that he will be when he takes up his post. I must say that he has passed the honeymoon phase with top marks.
I believe that Hurricane Irma, coming less than three weeks after his swearing-in as Governor of Anguilla, quickly exposed the positive qualities and attributes which Governor Foy brought to the job. It must have been a harrowing ordeal for someone on their first appointment to experience the most devastating storm, in recorded history, to make landfall in this region. He handled it all exceptionally well through his readiness to accept the need for partnership between the UK Government and Anguillian citizens and residents to navigate the complex issues of relief and recovery.
One of the defining statements that Governor Foy made very early, which clearly showed his awareness of the situation in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, was when he said: “Chief Minister it is my approach that UK assistance and resources should be “on tap” for the use of the Anguillian community rather than “on top” as in directing how such assistance and resources should be applied”. As a consequence, his entire involvement with Government officials, agencies and other stakeholders, during the relief and recovery exercises, was always on a consultative basis.
But if that period can be considered his initiation into the Anguillian community, I must comment that it served him well in terms of the manner in which he has worked with Government to manage the affairs of our island. Without getting into specifics, Governor Foy is always ready to “go to bat” for Anguilla in support of the matters which Government wishes to progress. And even when he may have differences of opinion on an issue with Government — he takes the time to work with us to find common ground or a viable solution. To put it bluntly, he sees his role as a facilitator for the interests of the Government and people of Anguilla within the context of our constitutional arrangements.
Finally, let me say that I truly appreciate the partnership we have developed and I expect that, based on the candid nature of our relationship on a personal level, I fully expect that his future tenure augurs well for the development of Anguilla and its people. I sincerely wish Tim and Dina many more wonderful years in Anguilla.
Thanks, Nat, for giving me this opportunity.
