Tuesday, 22nd March marked the ceremonial opening of The Valley Main Road, also known as the Carter Rey Boulevard. Some six months ago work was started to uproot and remodel the old bumpy road which was quite tedious to traverse due to the sinking of the undersurface, in some areas, and an irregular corresponding rising in other areas.
Through the course of the past six months the road was closed off to regular traffic, as work continued relentlessly to push the project forward, keeping the progress on track – and within budget – so that the road can be opened at this time. It was a historic occasion for The Valley.
A modest cross-section of the community attended the ceremony. Moderating the event was the Special Assistant in the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Courtney Morton. Pastor Randy Isles offered the Prayer of Invocation, after which the National Anthem and the National Song were harmoniously rendered by the Anguilla National Choir – Female Chorus, led by music professional Ms. Lois Hazell.
Road Engineer, Mr. Shanis Connor, gave an overview of the new road development. He said that the project was conceived by a team that comprised officials from the Ministry of Infrastructure and personnel from Richards Architectural Services. They were joined by multiple contractors, including Superior Industrial Equipment, Bee’s Construction, Sunrise Construction, Land Development Surveys and several material suppliers. “With this group,” Mr. Connor said, “we were able to keep this project on track and deliver it in record time.”
Mr. Connor stated further: “The Carter Rey Boulevard seeks to provide a safe travel environment for pedestrians and vehicles. This is made possible by the installation of sidewalks, roundabouts and turning lanes to improve traffic flow and capacity.” He said that drainage had been vastly improved through a series of soak-aways which are linked to the Queen Elizabeth Avenue drainage system.
He mentioned that the project would not have been possible without the kind donation from the UK, through the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, and he expressed gratitude to the United Kingdom Government.
The Honourable Dee-Ann Kentish Rogers also gave her remarks, noting that The Valley Main Road was essential to travel in Anguilla for many generations of road users, and that it was destined to serve many generations in the future.
Minister Kentish-Rogers is the elected representative for District 4, Valley South, where the Valley Main Road is situated. She jovially said: “Today we mark this momentous occasion in opening this road that expectant mothers can safely drive on (referring to the treacherous condition of the previous roadway).
“What makes it possible for us to be here today is the generous funding of the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, the Governor’s Office, the leadership of the Minister of Infrastructure, all of which are to the benefit of the people of Anguilla and, specifically, the people of District 4.”
Next, the Honourable Minister of Infrastructure, Mr. Haydn Hughes, addressed the audience. He began by acclaiming the realisation of the road’s redevelopment – and the achievement of international flights into Anguilla – as the fulfillment of promises that he had made to his father, the late former Honourable Chief Minister, Mr. Hubert Hughes, prior to his passing. He continued: “My father looked at me with confidence and said, ‘yes, it will be done.’ And it has been done.”
He went on: “The reason why we embarked on this road project is because it matters to each one of the drivers who uses it. And it matters to Anguilla’s economic prospects. It gives me great pride to be standing here today at this ceremonial opening of one of the most important roads on Anguilla and, indeed, a key component to our goal of economic self-sufficiency and independence.”
“God’s timing is always perfect,” he noted. “And this, today, is a perfect combination of a leader in Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, a Governor in Her Excellency Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, and an understanding Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) who, together, brought into existence the fulfillment of a promise.
“This road will generate a sort of economic activity that will engender new exploits of opportunity and growth,” he said. “Without the aforementioned persons my promise, my desire, and my quest to redevelop this Valley Main Road and City Centre could not be possible.”
Minister Hughes thanked his Permanent Secretary, Karim Hodge, and the FCDO: “Our partners in the United Kingdom must know that in this administration, any funding towards our national development will be prudently spent – and we will deliver.”
Her Excellency the Governor, Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, shared the view that the realisation of the redeveloped Carter Rey Boulevard had been greatly anticipated for a few decades. She acknowledged: “Standing here today is a moment of pride and joy for everyone…In approaching the design for this road, the project leads recognised the need to ‘future proof’ – building better by utilising technology, and embracing sustainable development by providing the foundation for the use of renewable energy.”
She stressed that the focus has been to develop the road so that it is better for the community, the economy and the environment. “This certainly is the people’s road,” the Governor noted. “Infrastructure Minister Hughes has been on site almost every day since work began, to provide high levels of oversight in order to ensure the road meets public expectation… It is also a local road that was designed, project-managed and built by Anguilla.”
The visiting Minister from the FCDO, Ms. Amanda Milling, then expressed her delight to be in Anguilla for the opening of the road which was funded by the FCDO’s Anguilla Programme. (The Minister had witnessed the ceremonial opening of the Western Polyclinic the day before.) “I am absolutely delighted to be here with you today for the dedication of the Carter Rey Boulevard,” she said. “This is a thoroughfare which, from now on, will help define The Valley as a modern and vibrant capital.”
“Today’s dedication,” she continued, “marks a significant milestone, marking progress and achievement for Anguilla. Funded by the UK Government, under the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office International Programme, the road has been designed and project-managed by the Government of Anguilla, under the Ministry of Infrastructure. The construction of the road has been done solely by local contractors. This is testament to the resourcefulness, knowledge-base and ability of Anguillians.”
The Honourable Premier, Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster, took the opportunity to say thanks again to the FCDO for the benefits which Anguilla has derived through its partnership: “Minister Milling, it is a pleasure to have you here with us at the culmination of these projects. This signifies a partnership with the United Kingdom Government, the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office, the Government of Anguilla, and the people of Anguilla.
“This partnership has been displayed through the Anguilla Programme projects, after Hurricane Irma, extended by financial aid for Covid relief and Covid testing equipment, and the vaccines which have helped us to be able to sit here this close together, and to open up the country to gain some economic benefit.”
He observed that the upgrading of The Valley Main Road will allow economic development in the centre of the island.
Pastor Rondy Isles blessed the road by anointing it with drops of oil, and he prayed God’s blessings and protection upon all who would make use of it. Finally, the Vote of Thanks was delivered by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Mr. Karim Hodge.
