In a handing over ceremony held at the new location of the Inland Revenue Offices, at the former NBA building in The Valley, Governor Tim Foy, on Monday, May 20th, delivered two new vehicles to the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) and two to the Lands and Surveys Department (LSD).
The ceremony opened with a special prayer of thanksgiving and dedication offered by the Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs, after which the Comptroller of the Inland Revenue, Mr. Kiel Connor, spoke in appreciation of the gifts:
“This is indeed a momentous occasion for the Government of Anguilla and, by extension, for the IRD. These gifts of vehicles, from the UK Government, clearly demonstrate the government’s commitment to strengthening revenue operations, as well as to demonstrate to the general public that we are taking compliance and tax-payer outreach seriously.
“The primary use of these vehicles will be for tax-payer services — in order to reach out to tax-payers for collections and compliance, as well as for auditing and property tax services in general. We have been desiring such vehicles for quite some time. It is good to know that we have had the support of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in making the presentation of these vehicles to the IRD a reality. We do thank the UK Government through the FCO for presenting our Department with these much-needed vehicles.”
DLS Director, Leslie Hodge
Speaking next, on behalf of the Lands & Surveys Department was its Director, Mr. Leslie Hodge: “We are indeed grateful to the UK Government for these vehicles. This presentation speaks volumes to the kind of the commitment that the FCO has made to us in terms of carrying out work in field procedures. These vehicles will be used primarily for purposes of inspections, surveying and property visits. They will be used by the LSD to work jointly together with IRD. We would like to say thanks to the FCO and the UK Government for these blessings.”
The Governor, Tim Foy, spoke regarding the importance of tax collection and the handling of land affairs. He noted the ease with which both government activities can now be undertaken through the use of the donated vehicles. He then went on: “I would like to pay tribute to Dr. Aidan Harrigan, and PS Foster Rogers. They both have pushed us hard to work in some of the areas which maybe not as glamorous, but which are critical for Anguilla becoming self-supporting and self-sustaining — where children can have the education that they need, and people who go to the hospital can get the services they require because we raise the revenues that are necessary.
“Tax compliance is absolutely essential. People should pay their dues. It is wrong that some people don’t pay, causing others to carry the burden of paying. In such cases, the public might be disadvantaged because we would miss out on the kind of services that we could have provided if those who are not paying would indeed pay their fair portion of taxes.
“The area of lands is critical as well,” His Excellency said. He explained: “Every transaction in Anguilla depends, at some point, on land. Land is not just emotionally important to Anguillians to own a piece of “the rock”, but it is also crucial to Anguillians as a people. So it is great to be here today to make these presentations, and to say that this is just a part of a much greater process that is led by Anguillians to provide the quality of service that would make Anguilla a better country in the 21st century. Thanks to the two Permanent Secretaries, Aidan Harrigan and Foster Rogers, as well as to the Directors in tax compliance and lands.”
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Dr. Aidan Harrigan, made mention of the fact that the vehicles will greatly assist the departments in carrying out their respective functions: “The Inland Revenue Department is the lead department for ensuring that government revenues are collected in order to deliver government services. This is critical. The service of the Lands and Surveys Department is also critical.
“Organizations like the World Bank emphasize the issue of ‘ease of doing business’. And certainly, for these two departments, the use of these vehicles will enable them to more efficiently and effectively deliver on their responsibilities with more ease.”
Dr. Harrigan alluded to the adage: “to whom much is given much is expected.” He stressed that this was not applicable only in terms of the delivery of services, but also with regard to the expected care of the vehicles. He said that when drivers from the departments use the vehicles, he would encourage them to drive safely and take proper care of them on the roads.
Mr. Foster Rogers, PS in the Ministry of Social Development Lands and Planning, began his comments by saying: “Contrary to popular belief, the oldest profession is the surveying of land. After the first week of creation, God looked around and surveyed all that He had made — and said that it was good. In fact, He made Adam from the dust of the land. That in itself goes to show how closely connected we are to land. We build our houses on land; we secure our loans with land; we build our schools and hospitals on land, and so without land we can’t be anywhere.”
Mr. Rogers continued: “In 1974, the Land and Surveys Department established a new way of dealing with land in Anguilla. Land management changed from the conveyance system to the current system. Now everyone who owns land in Anguilla knows for sure where his or her land is — and is able to prove it. Anguilla is far ahead of many countries with regard to land management. Recently, one consultant said that it is a privilege to work in Anguilla with such ease because our land records are well intact and so well kept.
“Having land records well kept is one thing, but providing land services to our people in a timely manner, and easing the burden of businesses, is a different matter. Today, we have made a large step in allowing the Lands and Surveys Department to be able to function in serving our people in a way that is modern and professional.
“The one old vehicle that was used by the department, even in recent times, had many deficiencies. But, these gifts today have upped the game. They will allow us to meet the needs of Anguillians more speedily than before. We had often been criticized for being slow and not caring, but these vehicles will now assist us in showing our people that the LSD, as well as the IRD, are major players in the economic and social development of Anguilla.”
The ceremony was chaired by Asst. Comptroller of IRD, Ms. Keischa Brooks, who expressed appreciation to all those who attended and participated.
