Can These Bones Live Again??
I, Curtis Richardson, am always mindful of the privilege entrusted to me by the people of Road South to be their Duly Elected Representative since April 23, 2015. I am also equally mindful of the privilege given to me by the AUF administration to be the Honorable Minister of Infrastructure within their government for the last three years of a five year contractual term.
The beginning of this our fourth year in office is extremely significant for it marks the first year after our 50th year anniversary of the Anguilla revolution. As a leader within the nation I am therefore compelled by the demand of the challenges that beset the nation and the awesome responsibility for lives within Anguilla’s borders, as well as without, to acknowledge those who served in this capacity before me and their respective administrations. I admire their courage and applaud their sacrifices.
I must firstly express my eternal gratitude to the Father of the Nation The late Honourable James Ronald Webster, and then those who carried the baton of leadership after him, the Honourble Sir Emile Gumbs, the Honourable Hubert B. Hughes, the Honourable Osbourne B. Fleming, and our present leader of Government the Honourable Victor F. Banks. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us!
My three years in office has been a remarkable journey. I marvel that God inspired the plurality of people in Road South to choose me. I was elated having been otherwise defeated in 2005 and 2010. I wish to thank the Late Honourable Albert Hughes of West End who secured a place for my future after losing the elections in 2005. I also thank the former Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming for giving me exposure to the realities of government. I also thank the former Honourable Eric Reid whose actions on a day I recall was that of a father to me.
I was looking forward with great expectation then I became dumbfounded for God was carrying me not up but down. I was in awe for the Lord took me down into a valley and my heart melted for there were many bones and they were very dry. Then the moment of truth came and I was reluctant for only God knows what the possibilities are for Anguilla and its people for there was no running water. There was no signs of life. The banking crisis had escalated and there was dismay and gloom and total degradation of the banking institutions. Cap Juluca the island proud flagship was in ruins with locks on villas and three giants warring over the ownership and direction of a potential revenue earner and job provider at one of Anguilla’s finest beach. The 50 year talk of an international airport with flights from Anguilla to London, Miami and New York was dead and hopeless chatter. The wharf at Sandy Ground was in decay. The entire country was in shambles and ruins and the manner in which the people voted was evident that there was widespread frustration and hopelessness.
Standing there in the midst of all this chaos, dysfunctionality and ruin I was asked to prophecy. And as I declared a thing manner wondered if all I could do was preach and reference God. Yet I did as I was commanded and behold there was a noise and a shaking. Many of the disconnect bones within our country are now coming together. We will stand up as an exceeding great army.
Three years later all is not well but we are in a better place. We still have the institution of banking forging ahead. We now have running water in our homes. We are on the verge of expanding the runway for commercial jet traffic. We took a licking from hurricane Irma and we are still ticking. We were dragged through the mire and the clay for the British pledge 200 million EC Dollars that we still have not gotten to date yet we are still here as a nation and as a people. We are operating on a warrant trying to pass the budget for 2018 yet our country is forging ahead. Our schools are operating under make shift arrangements yet our children are still excelling. Our Ferry Terminal is gone with the wind yet we as people still travel every day to ST. Maarten and beyond. There are changes all about us yet we look to God as the only constant in our midst. We were thrown down yet we dust ourselves off and today we are making a stance. We were windswept, batter and bruised yet with full assurance we proclaim the anchor holds. Cap Juluca is now again making gigantic strides to being the nation’s flagship once more with a single owners and promises job creation and economic sustainability.
I am glad that God allowed me to be a leader in my country at this time. I extremely proud of my fellow Anguillians and to be Anguillian. You have done your country proud as citizens regardless of your occupation. Many who had to face what you faced would still be sitting in their sorrow looking for someone to place them where they think they ought to be. But I am glad you with the help of your God was able to take up your bed and walk.
This administration has 2 years more to go. The challenges facing our country are real. Yet I remain as committed today as I was April 23, 2015 towards the upward mobilization and advancement of our nation. We have many issues to be addressed despite the many successes we have had along the way. I am confident we will overcome. I implore everyone to stay positive and focused. The best is yet to come!! I thank you for listening!! May God bless Anguilla.
