In the editorial in The Anguillian of Friday, 20th April 2018, I expressed the hope that the untimely and wholly inappropriate state of affairs surrounding the release of the promised and approved UK aid package, would be quickly brought to an end. Recent events suggest that this hope is being realised.
Chief Minister Banks, in recognition of his constitutional mandate, took his 2018 Appropriation Budget to the House of Assembly for its First Reading on Monday, 23rd April. He did this even in the absence of an indication from the UK Government that the Appropriation Bill, as presented, would be approved. The Chief Minister explained himself, as follows, towards the end of his Budget Address:
“Mr. Speaker, I have come here to pass this Budget in our House of Assembly, and I have been constantly asked the question over the last few days: ‘Did the British Government approve the Budget?’ The very sound of this question suggests that the House of Assembly is a rubber stamp for a civil servant in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. And indeed there was a threat in recent correspondence that this should be so.”
The Honourable Chief Minister introduced his Appropriation Bill in the House of Assembly two days before he received a correspondence from Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for the Overseas Territories, advising of his approval of the draft 2018 Budget. The Honourable Chief Minister in this simple action sought to demonstrate the need for his administration to be accorded respect, as the duly elected Government, and made it clear that he would demand such respect.
It appears that this message, which the Chief Minister also conveyed in his correspondence to Lord Ahmad dated 20th March, 2018, has been heard and is being heeded. The content and tone of Lord Ahmad’s letter of 25th April, 2018, is suggestive of this. There is no reference to the previous allusion to an Order in Council mandating the appointment of a Chief Financial Officer with “considerable responsibility over the public finances of Anguilla”. Instead, Lord Ahmad expresses delight at the Chief Minister’s support for a Consultative Group consisting of the GoA, UKG, Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) and Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). He describes the Consultative Group as representing “the primary stakeholders in Anguilla’s fiscal and economic recovery”. He noted that the Group would “support the delivery of sustainable public finances and greater prosperity for Anguilla”.
The language utilised in Lord Ahmad’s letter of 25th April is far more reflective of the partnership that UK officials often suggest that the UKG is seeking to foster with its Overseas Territories. Lord Ahmad goes further and recognises the serious plight of Anguillians, as conveyed to him by the Chief Minister in his letter of 20th March, 2018, when he observes:
“I appreciate your previous references to the fact that 2018 should be considered a bridge year in terms of the restoration of the GoA’s finances and that no new revenue measures would be introduced in 2018. In turn, I anticipate that the GoA will ensure that it maximises revenue collection”.
UK officials have accepted what Anguillians realise and what the Chief Minister communicated: Introducing new revenue measures in 2018 is not feasible and would be counterproductive.
Lord Ahmad concludes his letter of 25th April with the good news that the disbursement of the UK aid package will begin with the release of funding for six critical recovery projects. He expresses the desire for the details of the next phase of reconstruction projects to be worked through in parallel with finalising the MTEFP by 30th June, so that he may seek approval for the release of the remainder of the aid funds.
It is fair to say that progress is being in made in respect of the release of the much needed aid funds, to restore and strengthen damaged properties on Anguilla. The primary players involved in the release of the aid funds appear to have recognised that the safeguarding of the people’s welfare is what is paramount at this time. This realisation has, understandably, not detracted from the need to consider accountability issues but this is being appropriately measured against humanitarian considerations.
The passage of the 2018 Appropriation Bill, on 30th April, represents a significant step towards progressively and systematically addressing Anguilla’s financial concerns. It also serves to highlight the significant financial constraints under which the Government of Anguilla is labouring. This is reflected in the drastic cut in the Training Budget which means that the development of our human capital, which is vital to our overall sustainable development, will have to be foregone. One hopes that if revenue collections allow, in 2018, the Training Budget will be immediately be revisited to facilitate training opportunities for Anguilla’s many deserving young people.
While there is obviously still significant work to be done to address Anguilla’s financial and economic woes, the Government of Anguilla, and the UKG, must be commended for the progress made to date in resolving the potential impasse which appeared to be looming in relation to matters pertaining to the 2018 Budget and the release of the aid funds. It is expected that we will see ongoing demonstrations of maturity on the part of elected and appointed officials of the GoA, and the UKG, as they respond to Anguilla’s needs in the coming months.
