The Government of Anguilla, through the Ministry of Infrastructure, has re-designed the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal in such a way that the land issues, now before the Court, will not hinder the project.
The previous Government had compulsorily acquired some parcels of land for which, it is understood, compensation is being sought by the owners through the High Court. The project, earmarked for financing under the British-funded Anguilla Programme, is now being pursued by the newly-elected Anguilla Progressive Movement Government.
In an interview with The Anguillian newspaper, the Honourable Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Haydn Hughes, explained how the Government is proceeding with the project.
“On coming to office, I was told that the former Administration had acquired some portions of land for the development of the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal,” he stated. “When I looked at the overall plans, and so forth, and saw the challenges, I met with the Governor, Tim Foy, Mr. Darren Forbes-Batey, and the Ministry of Infrastructure, to come up with a plan as to how we can build the terminal without having to encumber any of the land that was acquired. We have decided to move the terminal building closer to the water’s edge, and to ensure that the footprint in which the terminal can be built does not infringe on any of the lands that were acquired before I came to office. In that way, we can pave the way for the development of the Blowing Point facility. We have just completed the final designs. We are embarking on the local skills in the Ministry of Infrastructure to do the civil engineering so that we can move quickly to the development of that port. I have taken the development of the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal under my responsibility to ensure that it gets done. As you can appreciate, it is over three years since the former terminal had been demolished.
“For a number of reasons, including the political will and the hindrances that occurred in the past, I have spoken to Her Majesty’s representatives in Anguilla and I have taken over total responsibility for the development of the port. Together, with my Permanent Secretary and the Ministries of Tourism and Infrastructure, we are moving quickly ahead. I believe this week we are going to the Executive Council with the renderings to give us an overview of what the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal will look like – and what it will entail. We have the funding for the development of the project – and the expertise within the Ministry of Infrastructure to do so.”
It was drawn to Minister Hughes’ attention that it was reported that the large education projects, in particular, had taken up most of the funding in the Anguilla Programme – had eaten into the Blowing Point project, and he advised as follows:
“Those projects ate into the fund before when we were talking about a 60,000-square-foot facility. What we need is a building that is fit for purpose. We didn’t need a building that looks like the Miami International Airport. There is a huge difference between an air and a sea port. At a sea port, people are coming in and out. If people are coming to Anguilla, they want to get out as soon as possible. If people are leaving on a private charter, they get to the port a couple minutes before the charter departs, then they are out. If there is a regular scheduled ferry leaving Anguilla, the most time you would stay in the terminal is 45 minutes. You are not staying two and three hours. You don’t need sprawling restaurant and retail space in a ferry terminal. And so we have designed a ferry terminal that is fit for purpose.
“We have taken into consideration a number of issues that have arisen since Covid-19. The Honourable Premier, as a doctor, has seen it fit to have a triage in the terminal building just in case people are sick – as well as a testing facility. We will have room for the Royal Anguilla Police Force; an Air and Sea Port facility as well as conference space. We will also have space for fire and rescue services and, if needs be, we will be able to bring in an ambulance and there will also be parking space. It is going to be a facility that I believe the rest of the Caribbean will marvel at. We have the very capable [architects] Carl Richard and Raoul Vanterpool. Vanterpool is doing a significant amount of heavy-lifting as it relates to the design. When you see the aesthetics of this building, I think that Anguilla is going to be proud of what Anguillians can produce. We are trying to prove to the world that we can do everything out of the Ministry of Infrastructure. I believe the Ministry always had capable persons but we did not utilise them to their full potential. That is what I intend to do as we seek to resurface the airport and develop the Carter Rey Boulevard and The Valley main road.”
About the acquired land areas at Blowing Point, Mr. Hughes said: “We have to consider whether or not we really and truly need those lands at this time. Yes, they have already been vested in the state, having been compulsory acquired. Once lands are compulsorily acquired the constitution dictates that there must be prompt payment. I cannot comment on how we went about the process but what I can say is that all options are on the table. It means we may have to go to arbitration; or we may decide to sit with the families and work something out; or we may decide to return those lands to the owners.
“Whatever option the technical folks, tasked with the negotiations, and the courts, decide, I will have to abide by it. There is a need for proper parking space but separate and apart from the lands that are in dispute – whether legally or otherwise – we have sufficient parking space at present. It would be better if we have those lands but, if we have to return them, and the owners say they want to develop their lands, there is a possibility that we may or may not return the lands. It really depends on where we are.”
Regarding the cost of the ferry terminal, the Minister stated: “This new terminal is going to cost just over four million US dollars or over ten million EC dollars. The cost is significantly lower than what it would have been if we had started three years ago. We leased [the Big Jim Building] to facilitate travellers in and out Anguilla. In October 2020 the keys should have been handed over for the new Blowing Point Ferry Terminal but, for many reasons, it was not done. I believe honestly – and I am not touting my own horn – but I have been known as someone who gets things done.
“Immediately after I got a briefing on the project I said we are going to get it done. Right away I convened meetings with the Governor. I think he is the best Governor we ever had. That’s my personal experience. We have been able to strategise and come up with a plan as to how we are going to get this Blowing Point Ferry Terminal done. One of the critical components in that plan was that the Minister would take responsibility to get it done. I will not take part in the tendering or procurement. That will go to open tender and will be handled by the Procurement Office. But, as it relates to getting to the point of tendering, so that we can select a contractor, I am taking full responsibility as fast as possible.”
Questioned about a possible date for the commencement of the project, Mr. Hughes replied: “I would have liked to break ground before Tim Foy leaves the island, but he is leaving this year. I would say that certainly within the first quarter of next year construction will begin. Without the shadow of a doubt, I have no reservations about saying that right now. I know it is always very difficult for politicians to make certain promises but, as I said, I have no reservations in saying that – because the will and leadership are there; the communication lines are open and I believe we will get the ferry terminal done.”
Meanwhile, Mr. Hughes said plans were proceeding well for the reopening of the Blowing Point Port on November 1, but with service to and from Dutch St. Maarten. “There will only be private charters and shuttles out of Simpson Bay as the French side has not opened its borders as yet,” he stressed. “We also have the airline operators. I believe they will be very busy as persons may just want a quick hop from the airport over to Anguilla. We are setting up our testing facilities in Blowing Point and should have them completed by next week. Within an hour we will be able to turn around the test results and we are training all the service providers.”
