The Royal Anguilla Police Force is investigating what may be a case of suspected arson at the temporary Blowing Point Ferry Terminal.
Minister of Infrastructure and Communications, Mr. Curtis Richardson, told The Anguillian newspaper that on Wednesday morning, January 8, 2020, he was informed that someone had made an arson attempt at the building.
“I went to the port and observed three potential places where attempts were made to start fires to the port’s premises,” he stated briefly. “The Royal Anguilla Police Force is investigating the matter.”
In September 2017, the original passenger ferry terminal was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma, necessitating its demolition. In the interim, tent facilities were used for the conducting of passengers, customs and immigration services.
This arrangement continued for some time following which the Government, in conjunction with the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority, entered into a lease agreement for the use of the nearby Big Jim Building and added a temporary adjoining structure to assist with accommodating customs, immigration services, passenger movements and ferryboat bookings.
Since then, the Blowing Point Port has been functionally normally with positive comments from travellers about the attractive layout of, and pleasant services at, the temporary accommodation facilities.
There are active plans in place for the construction of a permanent ferry terminal later on, with financing from the UK Government under the Anguilla Programme.
