A number of landowners in Blowing Point have been praised for making available several parcels of land to the Government of Anguilla for the long-planned development of the seaport there. A Motion for a Declaration of Acquisition was passed in the House of Assembly on Friday, October 5, to that effect.
The Motion was tabled by Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, on behalf of the Minister of Lands, Mr. Evans McNeil Rogers, who was off island on official business.
The text of the Motion read as follows: “Whereas it is enacted by Section 2 of the Land Acquisition Act that if the Government-in-Council considers that any land should be acquired for a public purpose, the House of Assembly should cause a Declaration to that effect to be made to the Secretary of the Executive Council in a manner provided by that section.
“And whereas the Governor-in-Council has approved a redevelopment expansion of the seaport terminal at Blowing Point and considers that certain land at Blowing Point, more particularly described in the Schedule hereto, should be acquired to facilitate this development;
“Now therefore it is hereby resolved that the House of Assembly signifies its approval for a Declaration being made as required by the said Act for the acquisition of those lands at Blowing Point for a public purpose namely the redevelopment and expansion of the seaport terminal at Blowing Point;
“And be it further resolved that this Resolution shall come into force immediately after passage thereof.”
Mr. Banks said that, according to the schedule, five parcels of land measuring 0.17 of an acre; 0.17 of an acre; 0.21 of an acre; 0.22 of an acre; and 0.243 of an acre. He added that the landowners had been in consultation with the Government of Anguilla about costs etc.
The Chief Minister went on: “This not a hostile compulsory acquisition. It is an acquisition that was put in place erstwhile the negotiations are taking place but because it is necessary to have the lands in Government’s name before we proceed with the construction of the facilities…under the Anguilla programme of the UK Government.”
He said teams from the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority, the Lands and Surveys Department, Physical Planning, a negotiating team involving a number of senior officials from the various Ministries, the Infrastructural Advisor and the Chairman of the Air and Sea Ports Authority, and others, were all involved in the project.
“I can assure you that every facility has been put in place to ensure that this is not a hostile acquisition but is merely to facilitate the process of title so that the project can move forward,” Mr. Banks told the House. “In the case of one of the groups of landowners, because of the number of heirs involved, it is necessary to speed up the process of acquisition whilst they sort out their affairs.”
Mr. Curtis Richardson, the Elected Representative for Road South, who was personally involved in contacting the landowners, said in part: “The Chief Minister said that this is not an acrimonious act or mission, and he is correct. But that has nothing to do with us in this Government. It has to do with the pride of the people in the Road South community. It has to do with a pride that started with Albert Richardson, Charles Richardson and Leopold Richardson (Sonny) people who, like every Anguillian, have their lands that are valuable and see the need for national development – people who felt that the time had come to do something different and serious for Anguilla, and I want to commend them highly. It also has to do with the Connors’ family down at Blowing Point who, after a very long time, had considered that they wanted to put country above self. They are true patriots – people who have decided that they want to be national heroes to do something for Anguilla.”
Mr. Richardson added: “I am glad that the people of Blowing Point are not litigious – to put the Government into litigation. One of the hallmarks of my representation in Government, as the Minister of Infrastructure, is that I will not go to court with anyone – but I also make the comment that anyone who goes to court with me will not succeed. This is because I am not a person steeped in malicious deeds. Anything I do, I do it because it is right and fair, but the landowners down in Road South who are listed here [on the schedule to the Acquisition Declaration] are all in one accord with us. One of the things for sure is that these landowners understand that the agenda here is national pride, and national development, and we are forging ahead.
“We want to commend everybody in the Ministry of Lands in particular because this is a very challenging matter. If you look at the parcels of land, Mr. Speaker, you will see that some of them are even less than a quarter acre, but that does not diminish the value of these lands…We must be fair and equitable with everybody when we are developing the nation, and I have given myself over to one thing – that nothing will stop me from doing what is just and right for the people of Anguilla.”
Leader of the Opposition said: “I want to commend all the landowners who put Anguilla’s need for development and country above self. I think that this is wonderful and that these patriots are really the pillars of our opportunity going forward. I also know from my practice of law that when you are in a position that is naturally adverse to the persons who disposed to do their best for their country, that the rule of law… requires that they receive independent advice especially in Anguillla’s case because we have so many challenges attending title of lands. The rule of law dictates that we have to proceed carefully. This means that you are acting in a prudent fashion that is going to guarantee as far as possible a great result.” In pointing out a number of challenges and risks, she added: “This is one I am going to hold out on – waiting to see.”
Among other speakers was the Second Nominated Member, Mr. Paul Harrigan, who observed: “It is admirable that the people in Road South have taken a step to work with the Government to facilitate this development”. He referred to other land including that owned by NICA – the National Investment Company of Anguilla – and suggested that the Government should arrange for a public/private partnership to develop it, noting that NICA was now an inactive company. During his presentation he urged caution in the compulsory acquisition of land.
The Minister of Home Affairs, Mrs. Cora Richardson Hodge, and her Ministerial Assistant, Mrs. Evalie Bradley, also spoke on the need to develop the Blowing Point Port and supported the Chief Minister’s Motion. The Minister said that, being of a legal mind, she always had concerns about compulsory acquisition which was a sensitive matter when dealing with persons and their land. She, however, noted the importance of the land being acquired to properly and fully develop port facilities in Blowing Point; its impact not only on improving or increasing the value of other property in that area, with a new facility, but also the improvement of the island’s tourism product.
She added that the Motion had her full support once compulsory acquisition was being done in a collaborative manner with the parties concerned; that they understood and appreciated the need for Government to be able to acquire the properties; that there was a time frame in which the port facilities needed to be developed; that something would be built to improve the location and quality of life; and once the landowners were are on board.
In wrapping up the debate, Chief Minister Banks stated that the ferry terminal in Blowing Point was going to be demolished way back in 2008/2010 and there was a period from 2010 to the present when there was no serious action on this project.
“Today, Mr. Speaker, we have a Minister from the district who has put a lot of energy in ensuring that the project comes to fruition,” Mr. Banks added. “He is bastioned by the fact that now that we have funds available under the Anguilla programme, as a result of Hurricane Irma, we can begin to proceed in addressing the issue. Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, we have had the benefit of Hurricane Irma and its impact on buildings especially those on the coast. As a consequence, the design and the location of the port facility have now been put together with resilience and mitigation in mind.”
Mr Banks said he had allowed the Minister of Infrastructure to contact the landowners in District 6, Blowing Point. He added: “That is his responsibility because he understands the people who live in that community, and he has the ability to appeal to them in terms of the national interest and the pride in the development of Blowing Point. I must commend the Minister for his efforts – as well as officials in the Ministry of Infrastructure, the Ministry of Lands, the Port Authority, Social Security and all the other agencies which were involved in some of these discussions. This is an important national project and it is critical that we make sure that it is implemented quickly.”
