“The more things change the more they remain the same.” The more cynical among us often make this observation as we take note of the happenings around us. Sadly, there is often truth in this statement.
Our two local banks (NBA and CCB) failed, and many persons attribute their failure to an absence of adherence to good governance principles. These legacy banks have been replaced with the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla (NCBA). Hopefully, in relation to this institution the phrase “the more things change the more they remain the same,” will never be accurate.
What of institutions such as two of our major utility institutions? The Water Corporation of Anguilla (WCA) has floundered for years. In more recent times it has become obvious that the Anguilla Electricity Company Ltd. (ANGLEC) is also facing significant financial difficulties. Meaningful steps were taken to ensure that local depositors were not adversely affected by a failed banking system. Will the relevant officials collaborate to ensure our ready access to potable water and electricity? Recent engagements between top government officials and top ANGLEC officials suggest otherwise. Public pronouncements by officials of both entities suggest escalating poor relations between them. Will this result in the electricity supply to the WCA, which owes significant monies to ANGLEC, being discontinued again by ANGLEC?
In respect of the continuing ANGLEC Saga, The Anguillian feels justified in resorting to the phrase, “the more things change the more they remain the same.” In its 3rd December, 2021 edition The Anguillian in its editorial enquired – “Will We Continue Politicking While Our Institutions Crumble?” The editorial is reprinted below as the question remains germane since the circumstances that justified the editorial still exist and in many respects have been exacerbated.
“Will We Continue Politicking While Our Institutions Crumble?
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 combatting 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.”
Hopefully, ten months on from this publication we will not be able to aptly apply the phrase ‘”the more things change the more they remain the same” to happenings at the WCA and ANGLEC.
