I suspect that my absence last week from Anguilla and The Anguillian newspaper may have been noticed. However, whether or not that was the case I have no regrets for having spent a full week on a family cruise vacation. It was a first time experience for me — one that I decided to venture with much reluctance — but which I will cherish for a long time. Imagine being imprisoned on the world’s largest cruise ship on the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico for seven days unable, for the most part, to use your cell phone or jump in your car and leave. That did not sound very appealing to me at first blush — but I gradually got the hang of it. Lighten up! Take a break! Relax! Fire de wuk! Life goes on!
But I did take the time to reflect, even as I was overwhelmed by the sheer logistics of the operation that myself and 6,258 other passengers had entrusted into the hands of the captain and the 2,512 members of his crew. I thought about the teamwork that was required; the preparation and planning that was essential; the proper implementation and execution that was critical; and the responsible leadership that was vital to delivering the cruise experience for which we all paid and expected. It occurred to me that there could be very little margin for error in such an operation and no room or sympathy for neglect of duty. It literally must be done right every time. No chance to apportion blame for one’s failure or incompetence. Indeed, it is about everyone “taking charge.”
What we experienced on the Oasis of the Seas was in stark contrast to the situation with our beloved island. We had just left the good ship, Anguilla floundering on the seas of uncertainty with a captain asleep at the helm having just cast his mate overboard and now operating with a skeletal crew. The question in our minds must be, are we well equipped to make the journey to a safe haven, or will we drift listlessly into uncharted waters? Having thrown his mate overboard, will all go well with the captain alone at the wheel? Are there any other members of the crew qualified to provide the kind of support that captains require from time to time?
Last Wednesday, on Real Talk with Keith “Stone” Greaves, someone must have advised the Chief Minister that he should sport his team of Ministers on the Radio Station to establish their legitimacy and ability. And he took the time, in responding to a question raised by the Host, to read to his listeners a list of projects and initiatives that, now that he had gotten rid of Mr. Baird, would be quickly and efficiently implemented. In other words, he was making the point that it was Mr. Baird, through his various conspiracies with the Governor, who was in fact holding up progress on the implementation of his “invisible plan” for Anguilla. Hopefully, his listeners will no longer be duped by such empty promises and ask the pertinent question: Why then, Chief Minister, did you hold on to this rogue Minister for such a long time? In fact, Keith “Stone” did hint at that very question to which the Chief Minister replied, in a most disingenuous manner, by saying that he was waiting for public opinion to guide him. This response, in a way, confirms my oft-expressed opinion that this Government is being run from the streets. Such a management approach by the captain of the Oasis of the Seas would lead to certain disaster. No wonder we appear to be stumbling from crisis to crisis, and in the fourth year of a five-year term, as the captain of the good ship, Anguilla, remains clueless as to how to navigate into safer harbours.
And what about the Governor who appears to be increasingly willing to “spill the beans” in recent times – will his departure also create an additional advantage for the CM to implement his programs and initiatives? Or should he now be planning a strategy to deal with the new Governor? The absurdity of the past three and a half years becomes evident as the CM looks for more and more “scapegoats” to account for his lack of competent leadership. Will things improve over the next eighteen months?
This new period, when the Chief Minister has the chance to operate without the obstruction of his so-called co-conspirators (Eddie and the Governor) against development, should be most instructive. Hopefully, Anguillians will get the chance for the first time in three and a half years to witness the Chief Minister sitting in Executive Council without any such impediments to the decision-making process. Will we all now live happily ever after? Like most of you, I am very anxious to find out. In fact — I can hardly wait!
