We are now in the month of April and we still have no national budget for 2013. There has been so much discussion about the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility that one would have to have been dead for the last six months not to have heard of it. We are well aware that unless that Framework is agreed between the British Government and our Government, our national budget has no chance of being assented to. According to Chief Minister Hughes, he will agree to the Framework when he is advised by the “technocrats” in his Ministry to do so. Interestingly, we have learnt that the British Government has “sweetened the pot” in the negotiations on the Framework for Fiscal Responsibility by pledging the equivalent of EC$12 million for capital development under an agreed Framework. It is no secret that our Government dearly needs the money and so we are grateful for this gesture on the part of the British Government.
However, unless our Government has another source of funds, or a vault of gold, EC$12 million cannot “stretch” very far when one considers Anguilla’s development needs. At the review of the Medium Term Economic Strategy held a few weeks ago, Permanent Secretary Economic Development Mr Foster Rogers stressed the need for a National Development Plan for Anguilla. I am in full support of this. The reality is that even what I consider to be our immediate needs, cannot be met by the proposed grant from the British Government.
Let us consider for a moment some of the more pressing needs. Firstly, port development. We know the importance of proper access to Anguilla’s survival in the tourism industry. We simply have to look at our port facilities to know that they are inadequate. For a top class destination, our points of entry are disgraceful. When will the Clayton J Lloyd International Airport function as such, and look as classy as its name? When will the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal, which I am certain is currently the main port of entry, be consistent with the image Anguilla seeks to project. If we cannot do anything else at this time to improve access into Anguilla, we can least put some effort into upgrading the airport and seaport terminals so that passengers can be comfortable.
Secondly, road development. No one would argue that the roads in The Valley area need urgent attention. It is difficult to find words to describe the state of these roads. Proper road infrastructure in The Valley will not only give our capital a well needed facelift, but can facilitate new development as well as enhance the driving experience for all of us.
Thirdly, social infrastructure. One only has to visit our schools to recognize that most of them are in need of a major overhaul. In particular, if we examine Campus A of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School, we would see that, quite frankly, it needs to be torn down and rebuilt. School environments need immediate attention. The same can be said for health care. When was the last time you had to overnight at the Princess Alexandra Hospital? From all accounts, the staff does its best to provide the care that you need but, as our only secondary care facility, it leaves much to be desired. Heavy investment is needed in the physical structure as well as in equipment that works.
On the issue of social infrastructure, we cannot forget sports development. We just heard about the gold winning performance of another of our athletes, Zharnel Hughes, at the Carifta Games. We are very proud of his accomplishments. But sadly, when we look at what currently exists in terms of sports facilities, it seems that sports is not a priority. There is need for at least one top class sports facility in Anguilla. Work had begun on what, I understand, is an indoor complex next to The Valley Primary School, and I hope it continues. It would be a shame for that site to be used solely by goats.
I am tempted to address the issue of prison relocation, but I prefer to focus on development needs that could be a form of prevention. As regards youth development, there is a need to establish functioning community centres around the island where our young people can be engaged in positive activities. It would also be a worthwhile investment to have a children’s home for those who have to be removed from their normal home environment. With the upsurge in criminal activities, that threaten our social and economic stability, who would oppose development that addresses the needs of our youth.
Fourthly, a home for Government. Government departments are scattered all over The Valley. As a member of the public, this makes doing business with Government a much more tedious process than it has to be. I would imagine that the long term financial benefits and improved customer service that would result from an immediate investment in this area, well justify the investment.
These are a few of the immediate needs from my vantage point. I am sure there are many others and the long term ones are probably countless. So while I am grateful to the British Government, I am left to wonder whether they fully understand the extent of our development needs. What compounds my concern is that I recently visited the website of one arm of the British Government and realized that it gives many more millions of pounds in aid, each year, to “poor” countries. Surely then, they should be able to provide further financial aid to their own overseas territory as we try to get out of this quagmire. To do this, would demonstrate a greater level of sincerity on the part of the British Government to assist Anguilla to survive this economic meltdown. As it is, we have to ensure that we spend what has been given to us prudently. I am sure Government will do its best in this regard but, unfortunately, the money isn’t elastic.
