Since assuming office on 30th June 2020, the Anguilla Progressive Movement (APM) has not hesitated to declare the shortcomings of many of Anguilla’s institutions. We have been told that the Health Authority of Anguilla (HAA), the Water Corporation of Anguilla (WCA), and the Anguilla Air & Sea Ports Authority (AASPA), are not financially viable and have to place reliance on Central Government to ensure their sustainability.
More recently, we have heard the Honourable Premier suggest that the Public Service Pension Fund, and the Anguilla Social Security Board, are in dire straits and in due course might not be able to meet their obligations to contributors. The recent talk of load shedding by ANGLEC, to assist with managing fuel costs, has added to the growing concerns of Anguillians that our vital institutions are crumbling before our very eyes.
The APM has prided itself on addressing problems as they manifest themselves, and has repeatedly declared that rather than kicking the can down the road, they will take necessary decisions, even if the decisions made are not politically expedient. Such a sentiment is welcome, if it will manifest itself in the securing of Anguilla’s essential institutions – for the benefit of this generation and future generations.
Sadly, many persons feel that so far, while talk has been plentiful, meaningful action on the part of the APM has been minimal. According to the APM, the answer to the Health Authority’s perceived failings is the return of the Health Authority to Central Government as a Department of Government. To date, however, by the Premier’s own admission, no meaningful action has been taken in this respect. This delay has been attributed to focus having been placed on combating Covid-19. Many persons are hopeful that the APM’s plan to return the HAA to Central Government will not be realised. Hopefully, an opportunity will be afforded for national debate on this issue before the APM’s solution is implemented.
The APM has proposed that the solution to the deficiencies in the Water Corporation of Anguilla is to merge ANGLEC and the WCA. Is this a viable option? Will alternative views be entertained? An ANGLEC director recently described ANGLEC as insolvent, with its largest debtors being government agencies – one of which is the WCA. Will a merger, in these circumstances, make for a lasting and successful union?
Objective consideration of the state of these vital institutions would suggest that the input of all able persons should be sought, to determine the best outcome for Anguilla and Anguillians – now and in the future. Will our leaders see the value in collaboration or will they play the blame game to our detriment? There is an urgent need to seek counsel from those best able to offer deliberate and well-considered proposals – irrespective of their perceived political leanings.
Legend has it that while a fire was destroying Rome, the emperor Nero played his fiddle. The suggestion here is that Nero was uncaring, while his city went up in flames. Will our political leaders engage in politicking while the institutions intended to promote nation building and sustainability crumble? Let’s hope not.8
