A number of public sector projects, to be financed under the Supplementary Appropriations Act, 2021, passed in the Anguilla House of Assembly on Tuesday, September 14, have been outlined by the Parliamentary Secretary, Mrs. Quincia Gumbs-Marie.
Commenting on the legislation, Mrs. Gumbs-Marie stated in part: “I know that farmers will be pleased about the [coming] development of the People’s Market – a development that is estimated to cost 53,400 dollars. The work is to replace the roof which was destroyed in Hurricane Irma.
“That is a testament of this Government’s support for the development of agriculture across the island. We have done a number of things. As the Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, I can say that a lot of work is happening to improve and support both the blue and green economy – and this is a testament of that.”
She was pleased to acknowledge that the St. Lucia Association is assisting the Government of Anguilla to develop the People’s Market. “I am very happy about this, and I would like to say thank you publically to the St. Lucia Association for stepping up,” Mrs. Gumbs-Marie stated. “Their assistance to the Government, in developing the People’s Market, is not only a testament that they moved to Anguilla, but that they have found a home in Anguilla and are investing in the development of the island.”
She went on: “Madam Speaker, it is no secret that I have a passion for the General Post Office – and it is not affiliated with any of the portfolios that I am associated with. But I thank the Premier for allowing me to have a bit of free reign when it comes to the Post Office, to support its development, as it falls under his ministry.
“The capital expenditure refers to two major developments in the General Post Office. One includes the general development and replacement of the air condition units which have been down for the better part of the year – and amounts to 228, 860 dollars…Not only is this a benefit for the staff but the patrons that go there. It is one of the highly-trafficked areas of Government, and so we are very happy that this Supplementary Budget seeks to address and improve the conditions there. I would like to thank the staff members at the General Post Office who have been working in that condition for quite a while. I ask them to hold on a bit as the procurement process is ongoing, and I would like to wish all the best to those who would have bid in that process.
“Another major upgrade at the General Post Office is the Home Shopping System. For the first time persons will be able to pay online, and this is directly a commitment by the Anguilla Progressive Movement. We ensured that e-Government, and the improvement of Government services by digitalisation and the facilitation of e-commerce, would be paramount under this Administration. There are many things that we would have done to prove that, but one would hear through Facebook, or general commentary, how difficult the process can be to get goods at the General Post Office. So this improvement will help tremendously to facilitate payments and increase and improve efficiency. This upgrade amounts to 53, 600 dollars. The monies allocated for this are within the 2021 Budget passed in December of last year.”
The Parliamentary Secretary mentioned another matter. “Madam Speaker, finally I would like to touch on the baggage/ cargo scanner for the Customs Department – and this goes directly to the development of our tourist industry,” she explained. “I asked the Manager of the Airport, a few weeks ago, to conduct a time and efficiency audit there. This was basically to find out how long it would take for one person to get through the entire entry system at the Airport. It pains my heart to report that for 27 passengers arriving at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport, it took 1 hour and 25 minutes for those persons to be processed. It took the last passenger leaving the airport one hour and 3 minutes – which shows that we have not been doing the best when it comes to efficiency at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport.
“Anything we can do to address and to improve the experience of those persons coming to our shores, whether tourists or residents, will be done. The baggage/cargo scanner for the Customs Department will assist with the efficiency there. But it is not only for efficiency. It will also maintain and promote security at our borders.”
The Parliamentary Secretary told the Speaker of the House of Assembly that the international commercial American Airlines flight directly from the US mainland to Anguilla, later this year, was an important development for the island. She took the opportunity to disclose that there will be a general expansion of the checking area at the airport – moving the restaurant to what was previously reserved for VIP services and ensuring that there would be greater commercial activity at the main aerodrome.
The Parliamentary Secretary added: “Madam Speaker, you are well aware of the work that is being done at the Blowing Point Port for the erection of the new Ferry Terminal. That work also goes to producing greater results for our tourism sector and we hope that, at the completion of that space, we will also be in a position to furnish the area with a baggage/cargo scanner. In this day and time it is not safe or efficient to only have manual options available. We know that many persons take to Facebook to describe the treatment they receive from Customs looking through their items. This is important right now for the people.
“The Appropriation Bill goes directly to the need of Anguillians – whether it is for Government services to work more efficiently, or to benefit from better roads.”
The Parliamentary Secretary did not say how much it would cost the Government to expand the checking area at the airport, install a baggage/cargo scanner there, as well as one at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal.
