There is a considerable amount of appreciation in Anguilla for the district tours by Her Excellency the Governor, Miss Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, who recently took up her appointment on the island.
Her main talking point is the Covid-19 virus and the vaccine made available to the people of Anguilla by the UK Government.
She is being accompanied by the Elected Representatives who arranged the tours in consultation with her office.
“I think it is really important that I, as Governor, should get out and meet people to be able to understand what’s important and concerning to them,” Her Excellency told The Anguillian newspaper in Pond Ground, East End, part of District 1, on Sunday, January 31.
She was speaking on her third day out of quarantine, to a sizeable crowd at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Kelly Richardson. “You can’t do that remotely – and actually I don’t know Anguilla at all, and the only way to get to know it, is to meet people and talk to them, she stated. “My aim is really to understand the island; to configure what is going on in each area; and I am sure that each district has its own character, so it is important to come and see the different communities.”
The Governor, who was accompanied by Premier Dr. Ellis Webster, and other Government officials, was welcomed by Mr. Richardson. “We find it a joy and honour and a privilege to having you here in this section of the number one constituency [which also includes Island Harbour and its environs],” he stated. “Of course we are one, and we therefore will stay one. I believe that the Governor has a special message for us and so I need to make room for her.”
Responding, Governor Daniel-Selvaratnam said: “Thank you so much for gathering and taking time out on a Sunday. It has been very heartening to have felt the warm reception that I found in coming to Anguilla and taking up my role here. I know we are in incredibly challenging times at the moment – and there is a lot that we need to face.
“The [COVID-19] vaccine roll-out is the next step in terms of what we have to work through as a community; and I know a lot of people will have questions and concerns about rightly that. I think the important thing in that is that people are making informed choices, reading the information and seeing what comes out from the Ministry of Health in factual information. So even if you are saying no to the vaccine, you are doing it from a perspective of being informed and understanding the choice you are making.
“There is a lot on everyone. A lot of people have not been able to leave the island. You have not been able to see your family – and there are many other things that are worrying people in terms of just wellbeing, and that’s why it so heartened to see the strength of community on display here…Thank you very much for having me here so openly. I know that there is a lot for me – as well as the Premier to do.”
Premier Webster observed that there was a spirt of community and unity in Pond Ground. “I want you to know that the Government will work for you, and the Governor is showing her commitment to Anguilla,” he told his listeners. “We need you to register for the vaccine so that we can take care of your health and also open up the country so that we can get the economy going. Thank you for your commitment and for making me to look good.”
The tour went on to the Island Harbour bay-side where Premier Webster introduced a number of persons to the Governor, saying that they were one family. He went on: “As you can see, the people have come out to welcome you. Basically, you are in the heart of the area of the Anguilla Revolution and District 1. We want to continue to move Anguilla forward and, with God’s help, and yours, we hope to do that.”
Replying, the Governor said: “I very much appreciate you taking time out of your Sunday to come to meet with me, and for being so welcoming. I was very keen to meet everyone…That is how I will know you and how the heartbeat of the community really is. It is important for me to do that so that I can do my job effectively.” She added: “I know you have very strong views in terms of what you have seen and where you need progress to take Anguilla. I will certainly be interested in knowing more about what your views are and how you see Anguilla.”
Referring to COVID-19, the Governor said: “I think Anguilla is one of the places in the world that actually has been in the forefront, in terms of how it has protected its people and kept them safe; and to be mixing with no masks. To be able to have occasions like this is highly commendable and, as the Premier says, the vaccine is the next step in terms of how we should proceed. I know that a lot of people will have concerns and questions. From my perspective, I just want to ensure that, even when people are saying no to the vaccine, they are doing it from a basis of an informed choice.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Mr. Foster Rogers, who is deeply involved in the COVID-19 restrictions, and now the distribution of the vaccine, spoke about these and other related matters. He urged his listeners to register for the vaccine and answered several questions.
Governor’s tour of District 2
On Monday, February 1, the Governor visited District 2, accompanied by the Elected Representative and Leader of the Opposition in the Anguilla House of Assembly, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge.
Among the places she visited were: the Hope Community Centre at Sandy Hill which provides extra learning opportunities for a number of students; the Morris Vanterpool Primary School, now temporarily housed in rental premises at East End, pending the completion of the new school building; West Indies Concrete Company at Deep Waters where she met the owner, Mr. Urvin Phillip and observed some of its equipment and operations; Tropical Distributors at Sandy Hill; Best Buy Supermarket; other businesses and a number of persons at their homes in Sandy Hill and Sea Feathers.
Districts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
The Governor was unable to tour District 3, Valley North, due to the a
bsence, in the United States, of the Elected Representative, Mr. Evans Rogers. That tour is expected to take place on his return to Anguilla.
On Tuesday afternoon the Governor toured several areas in District 4, Valley South, accompanied by the Elected Representative, Minister Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers. Among the places visited were the Peoples’ Market; Omega Car Wash in South Valley, Vanetta’s Food Van, opposite the old National Trust Building; and J. W. Proctor’s Supermarket where there is a COVID-19 Information Desk.
Later on the same day, the Governor visited District 5, Road North, with the Elected Representative, Mr. Merrick Richardson. They met at Trinity Methodist Church and visited several locations there before travelling to North Hill.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Governor met Mr. Cardigan Connor, the Elected Representative, for District 7, at the Alwyn Allison Primary School where she met the students. She returned there later to meet with parents when she and Mr. Foster Rogers spoke about the COVID-19 vaccine and answered questions.
From there the Governor went on to District 6, Road South, where she met the Elected Representative, Mr. Haydn Hughes, at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal, and later visited the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School.
