Chief Minister, Victor Banks

Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Victor Banks, said the resolution of the banking sector in Anguilla was one of the biggest challenges he faced when his Government came to office in 2015.

The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) took control of Anguilla’s two indigenous banks, the National Bank of Anguilla and the Caribbean Commercial Bank, in August 2013. This followed the ECCB’s own decision and analysis of their financial difficulties – and the required advice and agreement of then Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Hubert Hughes – that both banks should go into receivership.

Chief Minister Banks spoke about his challenge with the banking sector at the Government’s anniversary public meeting on Saturday, March 30. He thanked his ministerial colleagues for working with him every step of the way. “I could see at times they were very concerned, but they were never disloyal,” he stated. “They were always confident and were always supportive albeit they also had to be cautious.

“As the Honourable Member for Sandy Hill pointed out, one of the options was that the banks would go in total insolvency and bankruptcy – and depositors would receive cents on the dollar. This was a real option that was being put before the Government of Anguilla, and when we sat in Executive Council with the powers that be, from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, they explained to us their plan of action for the resolution of the banks. This included a pile of regulations already prepared to go and be implemented by Order in Council, to take over the banking sector, give persons cents on the dollar and, to their mind, resolve the banking situation in Anguilla. We said no, no!

“It was not crocodile tears that I cried in Executive Council, on two occasions, when I recognize the enormity of the challenge that we were facing – and the fact that Anguilla had very little options and places to turn to, but we were determined.”

Mr. Banks went on: “For this I must thank the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, the World Bank, IMF, the Caribbean Development Bank, and those officials in the Ministry of Finance, here in Anguilla, who sat with us to work out a solution that would secure 100 percent of all the deposits of Anguillian customers, both large and small; take over the banks; restore them to a level of solvency; and put a resolution in place that, even though challenging up now, has been successful in turning Anguilla’s indigenous banking sector around.

“It is something that we, in the Anguilla United Front, as your Government, remain proud of. But we must admit that it could not have been possible without the support and confidence of the customers of the banks who were loyal to the banks for what they had done for them in the past in terms of their families: when they needed first home mortgages; public assistance for education and health overseas; personal development of all kinds; purchase of transportation and vacation. These banks were patriotic to the cause of Anguilla’s development and our people stuck with them and your Government in taking a resolution forward.

“One of the things we also had to do was to secure the Anguilla Social Security Fund which is put together by the contributors of the employment sector – both employees and employers. This is so that workers can receive pensions and support when they reach the age of retirement, or when they are unable to work on account of illness or other infirmities. That was a total of 214 million dollars, and the Government of Anguilla made the decision that it was important to secure future generations and, as a part of the resolution, took out a bond of 214 million dollars for 25 years. It was to secure the contributors and pensioners of the Anguilla Social Security Fund – for you the people of Anguilla.

“When you here the opposition jumping up and talking about this Government came into office and doubled the national debt, you must let them know that we make no apologies for doubling the national debt because 214 million dollars, 100 percent of that debt, was to meet the requirements of the aged and the infirmed people of Anguilla in the Social Security Fund. That is why we have that debt. But I want to say to you that we are managing that debt. The Government of Anguilla has never defaulted on its debt obligations.”

The Chief Minister observed that the National Commercial Bank of Anguilla is continuing to be well supported and successful in its operations.

Dr. Aidan Harrigan

A Goods and Services Tax, otherwise known as VAT, will be implemented in Anguilla as from the middle of this year.

Accordingly, it forms part of the revenue measures in the Government’s 2019 Budget Address where it was mentioned by Chief Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr. Victor Banks on March 22.
In explaining the GST to The Anguillian newspaper, Permanent Secretary, Dr. Aidan Harrigan, said: “The first phase should come into operation on June 1 with the “Goods” component. It will reduce the Customs tariff rate. Right now, on average, the rate is 12 and a half percent. It hasn’t been decided yet, what it will be, but there will be an adjustment downwards. It means that in the short and medium term there will be a loss of revenue. What is being done is an adjustment to the Customs surcharge to recoup what was lost by reducing the Customs tariff rate. That is called an Interim Goods Tax.

“The other phases will subsequently come on stream. The first phase of the “Service” component is supposed to come on line in 2021. There will be a combination of the Service Tax, the Environmental Levy and the Communications Levy under the GST, plus inclusion of wholesale and retail establishments. The third phase is scheduled for sometime in 2023 when other services will come online. We have not decided on this as yet, but they will likely include restaurants, car rentals and so on.”
Dr. Harrigan continued: “A study will have to be done in terms of the services to decide what the rate will be in Anguilla, but in other OECS countries the rate is about 17 percent or thereabout. Not every business will be involved so there will be a threshold based on turnover – but that has not yet been decided. If the turnover of a business per year is below that threshold, it means that such a business will not be signed up to collect the tax.”

The Permanent Secretary explained that if, for example, a supermarket or other business place imported goods to sell, that business will be collecting the GST on behalf of the Government of Anguilla. It is therefore the consumer who will be paying the tax. “If you buy groceries for 100 dollars and the GST rate is 15 percent, for example, you will have to pay 115 dollars and the Government will get that 15 dollars,” he pointed out.
Asked how the tax would be collected and paid in by a business place, Dr. Harrigan stated: “It will be just like how the hotels, for example, collect the Accommodation Tax from tourists and remit it to the Government or the Inland Revenue Department on a monthly basis,” he explained. “Of course, they have to submit statements so that they can be audited or cross-checked.”
Asked, for an example, where the payment of the normal Customs Duties comes into play he said: “There will still be Customs Duties but at a lower rate. If a business person imports items for sale to the public, he or she will pay duty but there will be a mechanism in the tax for a credit or refund if that business generate products or services for sale. Certainly for those businesses, I think it should reduce the expense to provide goods & services.”
“Shouldn’t business then reduce the cost to customers?” Dr. Harrigan was asked.
“We would hope so,” he replied. “The idea is to try and help them to have a more cost-efficient basis in a more business friendly environment.”

Dr. Harrigan stated that there will be public consultations on the GST, and that there will be two consultants to provide advice. One will be a Customs Adviser, a former Comptroller of Customs in St. Vincentwho led the implementation of VAT there. The other will be from England, a Tax Adviser with Inland Revenue experience – and has implemented GST and VAT in various parts of the world.

L-R Principal Rita Celestine Carty, PS Chanelle Petty Barrett, Mr. Darren Forbes-Batey, Mrs. Dawn Reid, Minister Cora Richardson-Hodge, Mr. Ben Merrick and Mr. Gareth Holvey

The UK-funded Anguilla Programme and the recovery efforts are probably so important that Mr. Ben Merrick, Director of the Overseas Territories, skipped the other Caribbean sister territories and came straight to Anguilla to see the work in progress.
He arrived on the island on Tuesday, March 26, and left two days later to return to London. He began his tour of the projects on Thursday, March 28, taking up more than half of the day. His first visit was to the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School which was severely damaged by Hurricane Irma and is now to be relocated.

He was accompanied there by Mr. Gareth Holvey, Head of Economies & Finance Services, Overseas Territories, Foreign and Commonwealth Office; Mr. Darren Forbes-Batey, Manager of the Anguilla Programme and members of the Governor’s Office team; Anguilla’s Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks; Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, Minister of Home Affairs and Education; Mrs. Chanelle Petty Barrett, Permanent Secretary; Mrs. Dawn Reid, Education Services Planner; and Mrs. Rita Celestine Carty, Principal of the Comprehensive School.
Mr. Merrick, who was first in Anguilla in November 2017, following Hurricane Irma, and saw the devastation of the island, was given a rundown of the compromised functioning of the school by the Principal as well as the Minister. He was also able to have chats with students involved in humanities and history classes.

Mr. Merrick spoke to one of the students, Riana Richardon, a member of the Student Council, afterwards:
“How are you feeling about your exams?” he asked her.
“It is a lot of knowledge to take in,” she replied.

“I was just talking to your Principal about the shift system and so on. How are you finding that compared to how it used to be?”
“Well, I like to go home early in the morning; but I don’t reach home until in the night because I have activities right after school, and I also have clubs to go to.”
“Do you find that if you are on the early shift that makes it more difficult to start in the mornings, or are you okay with it?”
“Riana is a member of our Student Council, and is a very busy young lady,” the Principal interrupted.

“Sounds like,” Mr. Merrick commented. “Are you going to be a Teacher or a Minister of Education?” he asked Riana.
She laughed.

Asked to comment on his visit to the school, Mr. Merrick told The Anguillian newspaper: “First of all, it is always intriguing to see the faces of staff and the pupils in schools, and there was a lively sense amongst the pupils I just met. Normally, when I speak to pupils about to take exams, they don’t sound very exciting – but there was a very good sense here and I just spoke to one of the pupil leaders. I think she is very motivated and seems to want to be a Minister in the future. There was just a lesson changeover and there seems to be a really good buzz amongst the kids wandering around.”
Mr. Merrick continued: “Speaking to the Principal and the Minister about the school’s campus, it is really good to see the academic side and the vocational sort of things that are possible. I am conscious that this is a campus that has been affected very much by Hurricane Irma – and discussing what is possible for the future is really important. We need to work in partnership to think about the setup at the new location.
“I am conscious of the challenges as we work towards the future. I am completely struck by the commitment of all the staff and the Ministers working on the project. There are obviously big challenges, and I am conscious that the shift system impacts not just on the children, but also on the teachers as well. It is great that the people are making the best of a very challenging situation, but I am conscious that, for the long term, there will be impacts not just on the children’s education, but society and so on. We have to accept that Hurricane Irma has had a big and longstanding impact, and we need to work together to address the situation.

“It has been a great opportunity to see all these things. Inevitably there is more to be done, and we will continue to work in partnership with the Government of Anguilla. I am very pleased to have been able to come on this occasion and to see so much in progress.”

Asked about his thoughts on Mr. Merrick’s visit, Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks, commented: “We have tried very hard to increase contributions to certain key sectors especially the social services. Thankfully, we have the Anguilla Programme from the UK Government so that we can respond to the issues of the school. Right now we are standing here at Campus A of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School. We cannot continue to have the shift system indefinitely because we may lose the attention of students in two years. We are grateful that the Director of the Overseas Territories is here to have a look at the situation and to press the urgency to move to the new location.”

Mr. Merrick’s next visit was to the proposed bushland site for the Comprehensive School – a 17-acre lot in The Quarter owned by the Anguilla Government.

The Anguillian newspaper asked the Minister of Education whether she thought the need for the new Comprehensive School campus was convincingly put across to Mr. Merrick.

“I think so,” Mrs. Richardson-Hodge replied. “Mr. Merrick was able to speak with the Principal of the school as the person on the ground. She is at the school every day dealing with the shift system, and having fewer resources than in the past. I think this has been a very good opportunity for us to showcase our needs.”

The Minister added: “The new Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School is anticipated to cost about 32 million dollars for its construction. The consultants are on the island, as we speak, and there is some additional work for them to do – and there is a role as well in the project management.”

Mr. Merrick next toured the Princess Alexandra Hospital with Governor Foy; the Minister of Health, Mr. Evans Rogers; the CEO of the Health Authority and others. He visited the Dialysis Unit and the various well-renovated general wards; saw the new concrete roof which replaced the galvanize roof destroyed by Hurricane Irma; saw the state-of-the -art equipment including the new CT Scan machine funded by donations initiated by Mr. Rogers; toured the new maternity extension funded by the West India Committee and Mrs. Blondel Cluff – and the newly-built generator plant equipped with two large generators provided by the UK Government among other equipment.

The Director of the Overseas Territories commented: “I am really pleased that the UK Government has been able to work in partnership with the Government of Anguilla, and to see the range of different facilities and services that are being provided. It was also great to hear about the way in which the Minister and the Chief Executive Officer talked about joining up with border issues such as the Old People’s Home or the resilience around the emergency generators. I am conscious that while there are challenges, there are a number of opportunities, as well, in terms of thinking what the long-term future can hold. Yes, it has been a most helpful visit.”

Mr. Merrick and party next visited the Lands and Surveys Department, one of the most important and sensitive areas of Government dealing with critical land ownership, social, cultural and economic issues on the island. There he was shown records, maps and surveys by the Director, Mr. Leslie Hodge, and members of his technical team.

He next stopped at the Department of Inland Revenue at its new location at the former National Bank of Anguilla, now being occupied by several Government Departments and offices – and is to be acquired later.

There, Mr. Merrick met the Comptroller of Inland Revenue, Mr. Kiel Connor, the Deputy Director, Ms. Tameika Fleming, and observed interactions between staff and customs, in a more spacious and friendly environment.

The Anguillian asked Mr. Merrick what he learnt about the Inland Revenue Department as well as the Lands and Surveys Department which he visited earlier.

He replied: “Firstly, I think Inland Revenue and the related organizations, such as Customs, for example, are a really important part of the way in which any Government operates. Often, it is the sort of thing that people really don’t think about when they think of Government, but it is fundamental – and it is really good to see the approach that the Comptroller and the officials here are taking, and also the Chief Minister and the Ministers. Paying or collecting tax are the sort of things that people should do to make society run properly, and it is absolutely vital to make those things work as easily as possible.

“I know there are some people who don’t like to pay tax. I think the key thing is actually the way in which the officials here are tightening up procedures and making sure that everyone is paying the tax they should do. This is day three that the people here are operating in this building and the customers seem very happy.”

Commenting on his visit to Lands and Surveys, Mr. Merrick said: “I think land is an incredibly important matter for everyone. Someone at the Land Registry was talking about land and people being the key resources which I completely agree with. I think it was interesting to see the theme about modernization and digitalization, but also customer service, or making it as easy as possible for people to use Government’s services, move quickly through the system and indeed making it as easy as possible for people to pay Government.”

Mr. Merrick at Fire & Rescue Services

Mr. Merrick also toured the Blowing Port temporary facilities which will later be replaced by a new Passenger Terminal funded under the Anguilla Programme. There, he met and spoke with the Minister of Infrastructure and Communications, Mr. Curtis Richardson, and personnel of the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority. The Minister expressed delight that UK Government was funding the project. He was grateful to Governor Foy, and the UK Government, for supporting the project which is to replace the former passenger terminal destroyed by Hurricane Irma.

The final visit by Mr. Merrick was to the Combined Services Building at the Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport. It provides accommodation for the new Control Tower and the Anguilla Fire and Rescue Service. The tour was led by Chief Fire Officer, Mr. Shondell Hodge, who, among other things, showed Mr. Merrick the new fire trucks paid for under the Anguilla Programme.

“I have never seen these sorts of vehicles before,” he stated. “But I think in terms of running the airport professionally and safely, they are obviously important assets to have. We have just been talking about linking into the overall operation of the airport and indeed the broader issues of search and rescue. I think it is fantastic to see these sorts of capabilities.”

In the driver’s seat

Asked the British Government’s view about the planned expansion of the airport, he said: “Our view is always that we want all our Overseas Territories to have flourishing and self-sufficient economies, but it is really important to have a strong business case for whatever is done. It has to be viable and also any monies spent on one project has an opportunity cost. So, at the moment, we are still working with the Government Anguilla on the potential business case.”

The Director of the Overseas Territories was asked to sum up his visit to Anguilla. He replied:
“I came to Anguilla before in November 2017, two months after Hurricane Irma. Part of my purpose for coming this time, as well as meeting politicians and many other people, was to assess the recovery that has been taking place since Hurricane Irma and also the preparedness for the season to come; to talk about issues such as the fiscal reforms that the Government is thinking through and a whole range of other issues around health and education.

“I think it is a really positive story that Anguilla has to tell. It is good to see that everything is being achieved since I was last here and the plans for the future. The other points I was talking about had to do with taxation, customer service, and how the Government’s administration works as a whole. There have been all sorts of great work on that front and lots of exiting initiatives and approaches as to what will happen in the future.

“We are here at the airport. We have just been at the Ferry Terminal [at Blowing Point] and there are great plans for what will happen there going forward.”

A fire, said to have been of unknown or undetermined origin, completely destroyed the well-patronized Johnno’s Restaurant & Beach Bar, and Dad’s Restaurant & Beach Bar, at Road Bay, Sandy Ground, in July last year. The fire also badly damaged nearby housing property owned by Ann Edwards.

Tourists and residents, who found much pleasure at the two hospitality places, shared the loss of Johnno’s and Dad’s over many months. They joined in looking forward to the rebuilding and functioning of both Restaurants & Beach Bars once again – at one of Anguilla’s best beaches and the main port of entry.

On Saturday, April 6, John (Johnno) Edwards held what he described as a soft opening of his place. He told The Anguillian newspaper: “I have built it back stronger with the help of the community. I have to tell everybody thanks again for all the help and energy that were put into helping Johnno’s to be back up again. I am very happy about this because people missed it.

“The new features include a VIP lounge, up on the front, as a lookout area when there is boat-racing. It is a real nice little place. As you can see, we got back some of our jazz photos so lovers of the music can see some of the old jazz players.”

Told that his place of entertainment now appears to be bigger, he replied:
“It feels so, but not in measurements. The roof is higher so that the ventilation can flow through in a better way. I am looking forward to making the same contribution to visitors and locals – as I did for the over 30-something years I have been operating here. When I came here in the 1970s nothing was happening. When I started Barrel Stay Restaurant, before I moved over here, my business brought people to Sandy Ground before August Monday.

“August Monday coming! Johnno’s will be a crazy house with lots of people. Among other things, they missed the Sunday afternoon jazz and other entertainment. I think they got accustomed to that, and when hard-working people get used to something they like it, and I think that is what they missed so much.”

He added: “For this soft opening, I have the Control Band from French St. Martin and Dutch St. Maarten which a lot of Anguillians like. That is because the band plays non-stop dancing music, and not the lot of stuff the younger bands play. The Control Band is made up of matured musicians who know what the people who follow them like.

“Thanks again to everyone who helped Johnno’s to get back up and running again.”

Next door neighbour, Dad’s Restaurant & Beach Bar, is not fully rebuilt as Johnnos. Its owner, Delbert Mussington, commented: “For Dad’s to be finished, there is a need for finance. The fire caught me just as I was getting out of bills, and now I am from a hole to a pit again. Finance is my problem right now because I don’t have a partner to help me like I did, so I am all on my own.

“Every day I try to open the bar, and on weekends I only open for lunch because I am not secured. Right now people can take whatever they want when I leave. I don’t have any shutters or the money to buy them. I am making money but I have bills which I promised everybody I would pay them every month – so I am doing that. I am trying to get out of bills first and then, God spares my life, I would see where I am going.”

I am delighted to speak to you today in what will go down in history as a period of great militancy and resilience by you the people of my beloved nation of Anguilla. You in a time when the pressures and forces signal death and decay made decisions on April 22, 2015, for the upward, forward and onward mobility of your great nation. Four years later Anguilla like a great vessel is turning away from the troubled waters of ruin towards a haven of renewal and hope. It will be sometime before we are safely in that harbor of our grand hopes and desires for we were a long way off, having been windswept and battered. Yet I give you my pledge that together we shall uplift our country until we disembark and walk the streets of everlasting joy.

I celebrate you collectively for it would have been understandable to throw your hands up and sing captain the ship is sinking but even while we had torn sails signaling our final hour in our banking institutions, water embarrassments, silly talks of access that omitted airlift and direct flights, you the great people of this nation still believe in the greatness of your country. Choices have consequences and today your choice is the only reason why we are sailing with more buoyancy than we had four years ago and with a new found chartered course.
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, putting me in this ministry. I am especially proud of the people in Road South who made a profound change in the angle of their political vision. Road South without a doubt it is your choice that has played a significant role in bringing Anguilla away from the brink of disaster and doom into the chartered course of rejoicing and hope. You have done your country well and I dare say to you sail on! Government is a collective responsibility indeed but that collective responsibility is composed of individual responsibilities. Your voting hands Road South have been an awesome hand in the salvation of your country. Choices indeed have consequences.
The nation of Anguilla must be forever grateful to God Almighty for restoring the dignity of everyday living with a 24/7 water distribution system. Furthermore, the farmers and the senior citizens homes will now be provided with water at a reduced rate. Choices have consequences. I wish to thank the people of Road South in general and specifically those who accepted my request to work hand in hand with me and persevered with me until the breakthrough came namely the Chairman Christopher Richardson, the deputy Chairman Mark Romney, Mr. Maurice Davis and Miss Valisa Carty former members, Mrs. Serena Connor-Banks, Mr. Malcolm Webster, Ms Lelia Richardson former member, and Mr. Mcclean Webster. I am also proud of the field workers Macca, Brooks, all the others, the Acting CEO Jennifer Gaskins and the other staff members, Gloria, Lorna, without whom we could not achieve this 24/7 level of success.

The nation of Anguilla stands on the threshold of a new era in aviation and airport development. Anguilla is set now to enjoy the tangible benefits of a category 6 and 7 International Airport. We have come a mighty long way from the days of losing our aerodrome certification and real threats of the closure of our airport. In just 4 years under my leadership we have gone from the brink of disaster with embarrassing living quarters for our hardworking firefighters to having a first class Fire hall and Control Tower called the Combined Services Building soon to be officially opened. I must thank My former PS Larry Franklin and Sandra York for their invaluable view that if we don’t start we never get to finish.
In just 4 years we now can turn our back on the days of having old and useless equipment and look forward to the arrival of more and larger jets with larger capacities, yes, even direct flights from Miami with renewed hope and a sense of pride and God given confidence. We have four firetrucks, one for each year of my term in office, Love, Peace and Joy are spanking brand new and Faith is the newly refurbished one. This “new thing” anointing now taking the country by storm is also evident in the selection of a young talented educated Anguillian to fill the top managerial position as Chief Fire Officer Mr. Shondell Hodge. Choices have consequences indeed!
Road South undoubtedly it was your choice that ushered in the anointing to alter the mindset of out with the old and in with the new. It was a spiritual war that today re-establishes that when the devil say no to airport expansion and direct flights as declared after coming to office, and met with much rebuke and mockery, even within the halls of government, Jesus still says yes and with much manifestation. I will also seek within the coming days to re-establish the regular airline service with our local carriers for persons from Jamaica and other affected nationalities traveling through the ST. Maarten Princess Juliana Airport.

The nation of Anguilla is forever grateful to God and the people of Road South for raising them up to stand on mountains. After the worst hurricane in the history of the nation we witnessed the restoration of electricity, island wide amazingly in three months. I thank the CEO Mr. David Gumbs and the hard working staff at Anglec and the Board whose Chairman is Mr. Harold Vanterpool, and other members, Ms. Shinette Connor, Ms. Dawnette Gumbs, Mr. Erville Hughes, Mr. Kent Webster, Mr. Gary Hodge, Mr. freddy Richardson, Ms. Linette Sasso and Mr. Claude Smith.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Irma we were blessed to have had so many people come to our rescue. Nevertheless, to live at the mercies of people’s kindness and considerations is a foolish sustainability and recovery plan. We must seriously consider not only the joy and pride of owning an asset but how quickly that asset can become a liability and our pride and joy turned in to ashes. The Chief Minister and the Minister of Labour has finally agreed that within the coming weeks we will sit with the staff of Anglec and hear your concerns and questions as we venture towards a new era for Anglec. As the minister for Energy I confess that the sale of Anglec’s shares is not solely an energy matter. The Chief Minister has had the leadership on this matter and a major role from a financially committed avenue. As the Minister for Energy and as an Anguillian I too wish it could be different on many occasions but I do not have the luxury of dealing with the realities about us in isolation. All the ingredients placed before me when mixed together are what ultimately decided the kind of cake you will bake.

The Ferry Trade which has been a hallmark and testimony to our ability to manage the ocean was quickly re-established in the aftermath of the hurricane. This year 2019 and into 2020 we have to seriously deal with the issues of maritime. I am committed to doing my part as the Minister responsible towards ensuring that we pass every audit with flying colours. I ask all concerned to prepare as we will be audited in 2019 and 2020 as a British Flag State. We have to be ready for our trade is not only impacted by the British scheduled audits but also the international trade, as short a journey as it is, brings us into the scheduled audits of the French and the Dutch. Let us not fail our country as this ferry trade is, as it has always been, the Gateway in Blowing Point to Anguilla.
I thank our French St. Martin and Dutch ST. Maarten colleagues also for the role they played in the restoration of the ferry trade. A new temporary facility housed in the Big Jim Premises is serving the public well. This facility is functional and has received rave reviews. I thank the Romney’s family for their support in addressing our national needs. I was of the view the first day after the hurricane, seeing the building still intact, that the Big Jim Premises was the best option for the continuation of the housed services of ASSPA, Immigration and Customs. I was and will always as the representative for Road South and the Minister of Infrastructure be opposed to the erection of tents, no matter how fancy they appear. I apologized for the recorded alphabetical expression, A, B, C and F but when we are at our lowest we must still have some dignity and pride about who we are and what is acceptable.

When it was uncertain as to how it would play out politically to be demolishing the rubbish Hurricane Irma left for us to clean up many were casting all the blame on me. Armed with foresight to have all things new and to ensure a heighten level of cleanliness I persevered. I am flattered today to hear the phrasing of many seeking to partake in the vision to bring about the new thing. I was never about the decision but I was steep in the mindset.
It is one thing to make a decision afterwards much debate and another to have an initial thought while you are in the moment. It is wise to plan a battle but all warriors know that victory goes quite often to the solider who can think in the heat of the battle for often plan do not account for the realities about us. How could I ask the Anguillian for all he suffered and endured to inhabit the old, the rejected, and the dysfunctional buildings after God sent the message that the era of the new must come forth?
Later this year, 2019, we will witness the commencement of the new Blowing Point Ferry Terminal with adequate parking. Road South, Anguilla is a better place all because you took the time to take your responsibility 4 years ago to seriously choose. Choices have consequences. Our children will no longer be educated within bat and rat infested classroom. Choices have consequences.
In the coming months the Minister of Health Evans Mcneil Rogers will lend strong support to the health programme in the Road South area. I applaud all who are working to make it a reality. Nevertheless, you the people of Road South must be commended for making the right choice to have a representative who knows the hearts and pride of the residents in the community. While there was doubt and speculation, I had every confidence that Mr. Conrad Fleming would support his community and his country. We approached him and the polyclinic for this western area will be built on land exchanged by Mr. Fleming near the old clinic in the same vicinity. I further thank all landowners who have support government’s efforts for land required to met the national agenda. Choices have consequences.

The wharf at sandy Ground was scheduled to be closed some 6 months on the day after I was elected. The nation’s ability to transact business of exportation and importation was in peril. Today the nation has another 15 years with the repaired jetty. The nation additionally will have a new lease on life with a state of the art newly designed jetty with ample operational space and construction is slated to start in July. Participatory Democracy is now living out it true meaning in Road South and has blessed the nation beyond their wildest dreams in the day to day management of the nation’s affairs. I therefore today say a hearty thank you to chairman Mr. Marcel Fahie, former board Member Ms. Shanette Brooks, Board Members – Mr. Maurice Connor, Ms. Simone Connor, Mr. Hubert Gumbs, Mr. Edward Connor, Mrs. Cara Connor, Mr. Carl Woodley, Mr. Joseph Hodge, and Mrs.Sheila Haskins. Again we have enforced the concept that our young talented educated Anguillians fill the top managerial positions as CEO within our organizations. I am proud of Mr. Sherman Williams. I also am proud of all the port workers and security.
His Excellency The Governor Mr. Tim Foy wherever you meet him please extend a kind hand to a great friend of Anguilla. I still stand amazed that in the same vein in which I was chosen and sent he too was chosen and sent. I now know that both of us came not a moment too soon for choices have consequences. From the first effort to get a standby generator for the water plant to securing the Blowing Point New Ferry Terminal His Excellency the Governor has been without a doubt marvelous. He has made the difference in making demands that are met with positive results. I am also grateful for the hard work of my Permanent Secretary, Karim Hodge and the staff of the Ministry of Infrastructure. This year 2019 Chapel Hill and the transportation and Taxi Licencing Regime are two areas of great focus for me.
As we forge ahead in the last year of fulfilling my responsibilities to you the great people of Anguilla in general and the great people of Road South I covert your continual prayers. We have come a mighty long way but we still cannot be satisfied. My destiny is link to your destiny and so I work every day knowing that choices have consequences.

To God be the glory great things he has done.
May God bless Anguilla!
I thank you for listening!

On Thursday, April 4th, the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) and Anguilla Community College (ACC) signed a new, 10-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) intended to advance the Human Resource Development platform on Anguilla. According to UVI’s Dr. Haldane Davies, Vice President for Business Development and Innovation, the MOU is “…not just an educational ar-rangement – it is also an economic development and sustainability arrangement.”

The new MOU will diversify the education options available as it will facilitate Anguillian students’ attendance at any of the UVI campuses. The MOU will help establish a clear route for transfer of ACC credits to UVI, and a seamless transfer from ACC Associate Degrees into UVI Baccalaureate programmes. Additionally, the MOU will launch a UVI scholarship assistance programme, for eligible students on Anguilla, that is expected to offer approximately US $6,000 per annum per student, starting from Fall 2019.

L-R Mr. David Wuinee, Dr. Haldane Davies,
Dr. Karl Dawson & Ms Carla Harris

Dr Dawson, President of the ACC, sees the new MOU as significant because the ACC has the dual responsibility of preparing individuals for the workplace as well as facilitating the achievement of higher degrees for persons on Anguilla. The MOU allows motivated individuals to attain an academic qualification at a more economical cost by starting locally on Anguilla, at the ACC, before moving on to any of UVI’s campuses including UVI Online.

Students will not be the only beneficiaries. The MOU offers the possibility for collaborations on joint research projects financed through US government grants – so that individuals and institu-tions on Anguilla can participate in cutting edge research projects. Moreover, faculty and staff of the ACC are expected to benefit from exchanges and attachments for professional development.

The ACC-UVI partnership is poised to have a powerful educational and economic impact on our island’s development.

– Press Release

For the past 12 months, we have worked closely with the Department of Sports (DOS) in the development of its new web platform and communications strategy. Our work manifested itself last week, April 5th 2019, at the official launch of the Department of Sports Website.
Sports is an industry that continues to drive global economic activity and development. Sports success and economic success go hand in hand yet, in Anguilla, despite boasting world class olympians, international cricketers, football standouts and dozens of sports scholarship recipients, we are still to manifest the true results of sports success on the island.

We are grateful to Mr. Andre Collins, and his team at the DOS, for including us as a part of this initiative to digitize the Department of Sports. Together, our singular goal for sports in Anguilla has been to see the growth and development of sports programs and policies transform the social and economic framework of our society to the benefit of all of our citizens. Our strategy to accomplish this, as the Digital Agency for Sports in Anguilla, has been threefold.

Creating An Eco-System
Part One is the development of a harmonious Eco-System for Sports in Anguilla – an environment in which the Sports Department, the affiliated Associations and our athletes can communicate and operate with efficiency and accountability.

A major deliverable in this process for the digitization of the Anguilla Department of Sports, was the Department’s interactions with the associations and the players. Accreditation forms, facility usage, registration, and everything in between, can now be processed digitally, guaranteeing transparency and accountability between stakeholders. Digitizing communications for sports in Anguilla will give the Department of Sports and the associations more freedom to focus on engaging in the hands on activities that will move the needle forward for sports success in Anguilla.
A modern Sports Eco-System is critical to the success of sports in Anguilla. We are creating an environment where the key stakeholders in sports can communicate and grow in a completely transparent and accountable way.

Awareness and engagement in Sports
The next step in our strategy involved improving the awareness of sports programs and the public’s engagement with them. To do this, we have developed a communications strategy that engages consumers at every touchpoint: face to face, digital, print and broadcast communications. We are so excited to roll this out over the next few months. The goal is to build on the Sports Eco-System and use those platforms to provide fans and other interested parties with timely updates on sports in Anguilla.

Ultimately, our mission is to create a space where persons in Anguilla, and a part of the island’s diaspora, are consistently actively engaged with sports in Anguilla.

Inspiring Change & Commitment
Finally, critical to this strategy is telling the story of sports on the island.
We have to illustrate:
This is where we were.
This is where we are.
This is what we were able to accomplish with so little resources.
This is where we intend to go.
Here’s how you can help.
Every element of our strategy, from the Eco-System to our communications tools has been designed to inspire Change and Commitment for:
Young persons to get active and involved in Sports.
Young persons to believe that they can pursue a career in sports.
Citizens to support and champion sports and our local athletes.
Scouts to give our players a chance outside of Anguilla.
Investors to contribute financial and or human resources to our programs and plans for development.

From the very beginning of this project, we all agreed that now, more than ever before, is the time to make sports a self-sustaining industry in the framework of Anguilla’s economy. This project represents more than a bill or a budgetary line item. It represents an opportunity for many Anguillians to realize their dreams in sports and beyond.

Our Agency is extremely proud to be part of the launch for the new Anguilla Department of Sports Website. Visit the new DOS Website at www.sportsanguilla.com

Tahirah K-A Banks | Gino Webster
Thoughtful Digital Agency

Most of us living in Anguilla are aware of many children driving in vehicles without the proper restraints. This practice is dangerous and can lead to much distress to the parents, children and the community in general. Children are more likely to be injured, suffer more severe injuries, or die in motor vehicle crashes, when they are not properly restrained.

Child passenger safety
Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in many countries. Many of these injuries can be prevented. Buckling children in age- and size-appropriate car seats, booster seats, and seat belts, reduces the risk of serious and fatal injuries.
Children can get hurt when parents or caregivers do not properly restrain them when riding in a vehicle, or are unaware of the dangers associated with certain motor vehicle situations.
In many countries an infant cannot leave the hospital, following delivery, unless the parents or guardians can provide evidence that they have the required car seats. Unfortunately, we do not have this law in Anguilla.

Riding in the cargo area of trucks
Many of us in Anguilla have seen children in the back of pickup trucks. This is a bad practice. Pickup trucks, although popular vehicles, may not be as safe as other vehicles for small children. Limited cab space often leads to parents letting their children ride in the cargo area. Children riding in cargo areas are at an increased risk of dying when involved in a crash.

Leaving children unattended in cars
Many parents and caregivers are very busy and often in a hurry. It might be tempting to leave a child in a vehicle for a few minutes. This is dangerous. Children should not be left unattended in a vehicle at any time. When left unattended, children may be able to start the vehicle. In addition, heat buildup to dangerous levels inside a vehicle can quickly become fatal to children, especially in hot and humid countries like Anguilla.

Prevention
There is evidence from various studies that many of the injuries suffered by children while driving without restraints can be prevented. There is need for more educational programmes to remind the public of the risks and dangers involved. Appropriate legislation is needed as well.
Parents and caregivers should make sure that children are properly buckled up in a car seat or booster seat whichever is appropriate for their weight, height, and age.

Parents should install and use car seats and booster seats according to the seat owner’s manual.
Children should be encouraged to seat in the back seat, and parents should buckle all children aged 12 and under in the back seat. Buckle children in the middle of the back seat, when possible, because it is the safest spot in the vehicle.
Do not seat children in front of an airbag. Airbags can kill young children riding in the front seat. Never place a rear-facing car seat in front of an airbag.
Use proper restraints every trip – Buckle your children in car seats, booster seats, or with seat belts on every trip, no matter how short the trip is.

Parents and caregivers: Always wear a seat belt
Set a good example by always using a seat belt. For over twenty-five years I have been advocating to have laws in Anguilla to make the wearing of seat belts compulsory. Sadly, this has not occurred as yet. We must continue to pressure our legislators to pass such a law. Wearing seat belts saves lives!

Ask Your Dr is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.

Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5928).

This land we call home is recognized by the United Kingdom as a British Overseas Territory. This connection with the United Kingdom gives us a status as British Overseas Territories Citizens to the outside world. But what does that really mean? We may be belongers of Anguilla, Anguillian, British Overseas Territories Citizens and British Citizens, all at the same time. Yet our different statuses are independent of each other and our eligibilities are impacted by a myriad of circumstances, cultures and disparate laws. We are led to question who we are as a people and our place in the world.
On 6 April, 2019, the case of Romancia Rogers, a belonger, demonstrated why we should know our rights and consider whether or not we are truly British or EU Nationals.

Romancia Rogers was born to a Kittitian mother, holding citizenship in St. Kitts and an Anguillian father, holding British citizenship and a passport at the time she was born in 1988. Her father, Paulivar Rogers, became a British Dependant Territories Citizen in 1983 under Section 23 of the British Nationality Act 1981. Therefore, Paulivar was a British Dependent Territories Citizen at the time of Romancia’s birth and the United Kingdom Home Office stated that holding such status would not allow him to pass on British citizenship at that time. Currently, Paulivar Rogers is a British citizen, with a British Passport which says ‘The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland,” and furthermore, he is a EU citizen by virtue of holding that passport. Additionally, Romancia’s Kittitian grandmother immigrated to the UK during the Windrush era and received British citizenship.

According to the MSN Journalist, Ashley Preece, Romancia left Anguilla in January to spend time with family in the UK. She subsequently applied for British Citizenship under section 4G of the British Nationality Act 1981 and was rejected. Section 4G(1) of the Act is what the UK Home Office appears to have relied on to deny Romancia British citizenship. This sub-section states that “[a person] is entitled to be registered as a British citizen on an application made under this section if – (a) [the person] meets the general conditions; and (b) at any time in the period after commencement, [the person] would have automatically become a British citizen at birth by the operation of any provision of this Act ….., had [the person’s] mother been married to [the person’s] natural father at the time of [the person’s] birth.”

The Home Office stated that Romancia did not meet the requirements. They further listed those requirements as: (1) Being born before 1 July 2006, (2) Becoming a British citizen automatically if your parents were married, and (3) Having good character. It is clear that the first and third requirement must apply to the ‘general conditions’ that are stipulated in the Act and the second requirement applies to marriage at any time after commencement of the Act. Romancia may have been born in Anguilla, but British legislation is the only international determinant of the status of each individual. The passport is merely evidence of that right.

Romancia was seeking to become a British citizen and move to Birmingham, England. However, as an Anguilla belonger, with an Anguilla passport only, she was only granted permission to remain in the UK for six months. The rejection of Romancia’s citizenship application and denial of her rights to British citizenship has caused expected controversy, and begs the question: Of what value is our British status?

The Romancia Rogers case will cause significant uncertainty to our people, particularly in the aftermath of the Windrush saga and what appear to be arbitrary and unfair immigration practices in the UK. Many Anguillians will worry whether British passports they secured will be withdrawn, especially in the context of the current Brexit impasse. In all instances, Romancia’s case should cause us to enquire as to our real identity.

There must be an acknowledgement of the differences between status and how the laws have categorised our people. Who are we? Are we Anguillian, British Citizens, British Overseas Territory Citizens, Belongers? Do we hold certain rights because of birthright, descent, marriage, naturalisation, or registration? What evidence are we holding of citizenship and what authority do we rely on? Authority, in this case, legislation, demonstrates how we have to rely on various laws and their sources just to understand our identity and nationality.
To answer these questions we must look at the Anguillian Constitution Order 1982, the British Nationality Act of 1981, the British Overseas Territories Act 2002, the Partnership for Progress and Prosperity 1999 White Paper, The Anguilla Belonger Commission Act – and Government sites that provide the process for passport applications, naturalisation, and registration.

It is critical to look at how our history unfolded and understand how certain measures to ensure protection of persons are quite arbitrary while others are quite definitive. When we first think about what it means to be Anguillian, we must examine our constitution. There is shockingly only one reference to citizenship in our 52 page Constitution Order of 1982. Section 4 of the Constitution addresses citizenship by only referring to the protections that people who were born in St. Christopher or in Nevis are provided. There a provision that recognizes what it means to be Anguillian. Those of us born in Anguilla are identifiably just belongers of our country, because there is no law stipulating what an Anguillian is. We must recognize our history and where our identity has not been safeguarded. We may be Anguillian by culture, but legally we are not ensured this identifier by birthright, marriage, or descent.

The Constitution regards an individual as belonging to Anguilla if that person is a British Dependent Territories Citizen (which has since been changed to British Overseas Territory Citizen) by birth right, adoption, registration, naturalisation; domiciled privileges; father or mother descent privileges; and no less than 3 or 5 years of marriage to a belonger.

Furthermore, there are three ways in which belonger status can be obtained through application. Either by virtue of parents being born in Anguilla or Belongers of Anguilla, by virtue of marriage to “an Anguillian” / Belonger of Anguilla, and by 15 years of residence in Anguilla. If you apply for belongership by virtue of your parents, you also must ensure that the father’s name is included in the birth certificate of the applicant. When applying for belongership or when registering a child, it is vital that the father’s name is included to prove paternity.
It is clear that while the Constitution defines rights according to a mother and father, there are certain status distinctions that prioritize the connection to one parent over another. Belongership applications must include the father’s name on the birth certificate if the application is by virtue of descent. The Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriage Act requires that the father of every legitimate child register that child within 30 days after birth and give notice of the child to the Registrar-General.

These parental distinctions prove how our Anguillian children are not always guaranteed certain rights. Romancia Rogers case highlights that marriage and cultural norms for how our children receive rights are still not settled. Now marriage provides more access and privileges for children but that does not make it right.

What makes Anguillians British Citizens? Before we address that question we should understand how the British Nationality Act 1981 determines what status and citizenship our people possess. The Act went into force in 1983 and changed the meaning of what it meant to be a British Overseas Territory Citizen and British Citizen in the qualifying British territories. If you were born before 1 January 1983, you became a British Overseas Territory citizen on 1 January 1983 if both applied: you were a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies on 31 December 1982, and you had connections with a British overseas territory because you, your parents or your grandparents were born, registered or naturalised in that British overseas territory.

As Anguillians, British Overseas Territory Citizens, and British Citizens it is evident that we have to rely on various bodies of work and legislation to prove our identity. We must be cognizant of those who do not receive British citizenship through birth right, and we must be aware of our status. Are our people who moved to the UK for work ever going to appear to have their rights to British Citizenship come into question, as the Windrush era did? We must ensure security and make sure that Anguillians in the UK do not become the new controversial group of persons fighting for British acceptance. Romancia Rogers should push us to question how our citizenship applies to the necessary authorities. A spokesman in the UK Home Office stated, in the article on Romancia’s case, that “We recognise the difficulties the British Nationality Act 1981 presents for some British Overseas Territories citizens who wish to pass on their citizenship to their children.”

This demonstrates how our present reality provides a lack of equality and offers varying statuses for those who reside among us and abroad. It should not be acceptable to continue this cycle of uncertainty when determining if our children receive the rights that we as parents possess. It is important that we elect Governments that will protect the rights of our Anguillian people at home and abroad. We must always remember our culture as Anguillians and ensure our constitution safeguards those rights. If our people are only legally referenced as belonging to Anguilla then we must also make sure that the Foreign Affairs Committee does not impose laws upon us without understanding how our people are affected. The recommendation to do away with belongership and allow residents of the UK and British Overseas territories citizens to be able to vote, and hold office, would change what it means to belong to Anguilla and represent Anguilla. We must make sure that our people are continuously being provided with sufficient and effective governance by means of necessary laws, regulations, and policies.

At least one historian claims that the Anguillian identity evolved out of the need to be distinguished from persons brought in from St. Kitts and Nevis. That would be supported by the reference to citizenship in the 1982 Anguilla Constitution Order. Further, it is claimed that the assertive positioning was no mark of international or legal consequence. Locally, the efforts were marked by the symbolic “A” on the vehicle registration plates and by highlighting certain national properties and achievements, including Webster’s Park. In recent years these national adages have fallen into disrepair.

Many social and political activists regularly argue for reviewing these developments and reconstructing our Anguillian identity. They regard this as a prerequisite or rite of passage to a more independent status. As the recent Foreign Affairs Committee Report to the UK Government has emphasized, “Peculiarities of status – that is to say belonger status- will not carve out any preferential placement in the British family of nations.” The fact that in Anguilla we have many children born to parents who are not married and who require to be protected and valued, as other children born to married parents, may not concern the UK Government unduly. Our Government needs to rise to the challenge and advocate for these protections.

Our leaders, when it comes to matters of status, have traditionally been prompted only by a desire to add ‘belongers’ on the voters list, to vote for their party. It will be interesting to watch developments in this space; but the Government’s responsibility to act now, in line with UK Government directives, will hopefully receive full attention in the coming months.

The Malliouhana Poetry Committee will pay tribute to local authors Ms. Lottis Hodge, Mrs. Patricia Adams and Mr. David Carty at the 2019 Malliouhana Poetry Awards slated for Wednesday, 8th May at the Public Library. The three local artistes will receive the Malliouhana Culture Bearer Award for their contributions to the literary and cultural development of Anguilla.

The theme for the 2019 Competition is “A Climate of Courage” and according to the Committee, the three Awardees are excellent personifications of the theme.

Ms. Lottis Hodge seemed destined for a life of difficulty, having lost her mother at the age of two and suffered a stroke at age thirteen. Her book, “Ning Troubles” chronicles her life and since the 1980s she has been sharing her story, providing inspiration for others, including those suffering from domestic abuse.
Teacher, Author, Songwriter and Poet, Mrs. Patricia J. Adams has been blazing trails on the Anguillian literary landscape for decades, in her quest to document and share Anguilla’s cultural heritage. A regular performer at and contributor to a variety of national and cultural events, she has written three short anthologies, dozens of songs as well as a dictionary of Anguillian words and proverbs. Her latest book entitled “Yellow Dad” is written in Anguilla’s nation language and is a sequel to “Blue Beans” which was published in 2017.

Boat builder, story teller and author, Mr. David Carty is a believer in the importance of the written and spoken word as a means to deepen a sense of identity and purpose in the development of culture. Aware that a people’s past must be known in order to influence their future in a positive way, he has weaved the stories and personalities of yester year into books, speeches, talks and film to help all Anguillians better appreciate our humble but heroic story. An avid environmentalist, he is presently working on a book of short stories related to Anguilla’s seafaring past and a series of illustrated historical talks.

Hodge, Adams and Carty are the latest artistes to be honoured by the Malliouhana Poetry Committee since 2015. Other Awardees include the late Educator, Poet and Cultural Activist, Ms. Linda T. Lake, poet and revolutionary heroine, Mrs. Daisy “Wong” Richardson, Mrs. Verna Bryan, Mrs. Iona Hodge, Mrs. Olive Hodge, Ms. Carmencita Woods, Mr. Winston Harrigan, Mr. Felix Fleming, Mrs. Bernice Fahie-Richardson and Ms. Lena Gumbs.
The Malliouhana Poetry Competition is organised by the University of the West Indies Open Campus Anguilla in collaboration with the Anguilla Library Service, the Department of Youth and Culture and the Anguilla Community College.

The Awards Ceremony on 8th May is free and open to the public and the Committee is inviting everyone to join in the celebration of the local Culture Bearers and the 2019 Malliouhana Poetry Awardees.

– Press Release

L-R Rondie Webster, Leslie Richardson and Farrah Banks

The people of Anguilla, across the 35-square-mile territory, should no longer experience difficulty in tuning in to Radio Anguilla to hear its much-improved information and progamme broadcasts.

The Government-owned station, formally known as the Department of Information and Broadcasting, has now commissioned a brand new state-of-the-art transmitter at the island’s historic Crocus Hill. The equipment is housed in a section of a small concrete building which also accommodates, in the other section, equipment operated by the Department of Information Technology & E-Government Services (DITES) on behalf of itself and several other Government departments and offices.

Both Radio Anguilla’s and DITES’ transmitters are linked to the nearby communications large tower taking their signals across the island. Three circular antennas, on the southern side of the tower, are owned by Radio Anguilla. The station’s transmitter was purchased by the Government of Anguilla at an affordable cost of US$11,000 from its manufacturers in the United States.

The FM transmitter has an output capacity of 3,000 kilowatts. However, it is presently operating at 1,700 kilowatts, making the station more powerful than the other FM stations on the island, except the Caribbean Beacon.

Meanwhile, substantial renovation work is in progress at the studios of Radio Anguilla and other sections of its broadcasting house. The work is being funded under the UK Anguilla Programme.

Following that, new equipment, purchased by the Government of Anguilla, will be installed in the studios to enhance the production of the station’s news and current affairs programmes.

All of this is a most welcome improvement as Radio Anguilla celebrates its Fiftieth Anniversary.

Nutrition and Health Promotion Department did it again! On Thursday April 4, 2019, twenty students from all the houses lively participated in the 15th Annual Inter-House Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyles Quiz Competition, at the Anguilla Public Library, Teachers’ Resource Center. The cheering crowd of students and their teachers from all five houses supported the participants who matched their wits and knowledge, to vie for more than fourteen prizes on offer – and most of all bragging rights to be called the Winning Champions of 2019.

The Annual Inter-House Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyles Quiz Competition is the highlight, and cumulating activity of the Albena Lake Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS)/ Health Authority of Anguilla (HAA) Nutrition & Healthy Lifestyles Program, which was conducted among all fourth form Students, at the ALHCS, for six weeks during PSHE sessions. The aim of this program and Quiz Competition is to increase awareness of nutrition, and health related topics among adolescence – as well as stimulate positive behaviors changes that will improve their health and wellbeing.

Mr. Bernard Wattley, (former Director of Library Services) expertly performed the role of Quiz Master, and posed the challenging questions to the students, in a two-round elimination sudden death format. At the end of round one four students emerged as the contender for the Individual Prize. However, a quick tie-breaker won by Tahjique Connor declared him the Individual Winner. He was awarded a book voucher sponsored by Coral Reef Bookstore. Another series of questions in round two, and tie-breakers resulted in the following winners:

• Yellow House claimed the Third Place Winner position. All participants (Pierre Jai Lake, Tandreka Letang, Ajeanique Joseph and Breanna Warner) received a free lunch as their prize from Lisa’s Restaurant.
• Orange House was the Second Place Winner – and for their tremendous effort all participants (Maiesha Minette, Adrinna Charles, Tahjique Connor and Orlando Hill) received Top up Credit sponsored by Digicel.
• For the first time in the history of the competition, Purple House emerged the Victorious Winners. For this epic victory the participants (Michelene Hodge, Cailan Fleming, Edithmar Sanchez and Dinisha Hyman) received medals and outfits sponsored by C& N Jumbo Plaza and Nickel’s Fashion.
Andrew Baijnauth and Pierre Jai Lake were both awarded prizes for attaining the highest scores in the Preliminary quiz conducted prior to the Competition. They received prizes sponsored by Anguilla Electronics and Health Authority of Anguilla.

The Nutrition and Health Promotion Department thanked all the individuals and organizations/businesses who gave their time, talents and treasures to ensure the viability and success of the program and competition: Digicel, C&N Jumbo Plaza, Nickel’s Fashion, Anguilla Electronics, Coral Reef, HAA. The ALHCS Principal – Mrs. Rita Carty, Mrs Ruan, Ms Tashanta Brooks, Home Economics Teachers, Form & PSHE Teachers, PE Teachers, House Captains, Mr. Bernard Wattley, Ms. Florence Harrigan, Ms. Linette Carty, Mrs. Jennifer Gumbs, Ms. Nurse June Raynes, Nutrition Health Promotion & Dietary Staff.

-Press Release

Cheidyn Bryan

One of the upcoming, exemplary and reserved musical stars, in Anguilla is 15-year-old Cheidyn Bryan, son of proud parents, Mrs. Gele Bryan and Dr. Clyde Bryan.
The youngster, of a very serious personality, is the musician at Sovereign Grace Baptist Church at George Hill. His early drumming began there at the age of 2. By 4, when The Anguillian met him at the church, he had not only become much more proficient than a little drummer, but an impressive player of other instruments as well.
He started out playing by ear but later began learning to play from music books. Now at 15, in Fourth Form at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, Cheidyn is taking music as a CXC subject. By all accounts, with his flair and obvious love for music, he is expected to do very well and to be numbered among the young talented musicians in Anguilla.
He was not on the drums for Radio Anguilla’s 50th Anniversary Service on Sunday, April 7. Instead, he was throwing his hands and fingers across the piano keyboard at the opposite end of the corner of his drumming equipment.
The mastery, rhythm and beauty of his playing not only greatly enhanced the singing of the praise group, but the congregation as well and, ever so often, attracted the eyes of everyone.
Next time, at the church, young Cheidyn may be playing a saxophone, guitar, or some other type of the twelve instruments is he skilled at.

Dr. Lorenzo Webster

I would like to join everyone in wishing heartiest congratulations to the entire staff and management of Radio Anguilla on this 50th Anniversary. Your commitment to outstanding service, broadcasting, and keeping our people reliably informed, and updated, is noteworthy. This dedication was especially manifested in your programming during and after Hurricane Irma, in spite of potential physical harm. It is amazing what you continue to accomplish as a public entity with a limited budget.

My first visit to Radio Anguilla was as a young boy on the Saturday morning Children’s Program where I recited a poem “Fishing with my Dad”. My next visit was in 2014 when I was interviewed as an AUM candidate by Keith Stone Greaves, one of the region’s leading journalists. Throughout the years, Radio Anguilla has won the confidence, respect and affection of the people of Anguilla and the region. The maintenance and expansion of this high level of radio broadcasting is a commendable achievement. Also, Radio Anguilla has served as the incubator and training studio for many of Anguilla’s best broadcasters, commentators, radio programmers, interviewers and journalists.

Even with other media outlets servicing Anguilla, Radio Anguilla continues to excel in providing information, education and entertainment. Its radio voices continue to be household names, and the content and specialized programming continues to keep listeners tuned in.

Congratulations again to Radio Anguilla on 50 years of outstanding service – and God’s Blessings as you continue to advance democracy, freedom of speech and information, and provide fair and balanced broadcasting for years to come.

Dr. Ellis Lorenzo Webster
Leader, Anguilla United Movement

Minister Cora Richardson Hodge

This is Radio Anguilla. Those were the words used in 1969 by British invasion forces on board the HMS Minerva anchored in Sandy Ground, as they used radio broadcasts to communicate with the paratroopers and other personnel on land. The radio equipment was eventually moved on island and that same year on 9th April, Radio Anguilla was established in the Agricultural Station in the Valley. The station was later turned over to Government and called the Department of Information and Broadcasting. Among its first announcers were Mr Menes Hodge, Mr Ralph Hodge and then Ms Linda Banks.

How many times have we heard the words “this is Radio Anguilla” without realizing the significance of their historical context. In our homes, cars, village shops, supermarkets, work places etc, we have listened to the voices of announcers reading the news, the radio personalities sharing stories and opinions on current events and DJs keeping us up to date with the latest music. Unknowingly their influence has permeated our everyday lives and brought us into an awareness of the issues and events affecting our island, this Caribbean region and the world. Radio Anguilla has been our reliable information gateway for half a century. So ingrained in us is the tradition of listening to radio that, even today with all the advances in technology, many Anguillians of all ages still use radio as the main source of news.

Often referred to as the Nation’s Station, Radio Anguilla has demonstrated, over the years, that it is a credible source of information which prides itself on accuracy, dependability and relevance. It is the standard bearer by which all other local media outlets are measured.

In times of adversity, severe weather, political upheaval, social crisis and the like, Radio Anguilla has been a steady and, sometimes, the only voice bringing us up to date information – ensuring that what it is reporting is factual and unbiased. The station has been critical in helping us to navigate and analyse various national issues through rigorous questioning of relevant persons and in-depth research on the issues from local and global perspectives. Through its links with regional and international news outlets, Radio Anguilla has also been able to ensure that happenings in Anguilla garner the attention of our Caribbean neighbours and the Anguillian diaspora.

I am certain that it is because of the sterling contributions of past and present Directors and staff, that Radio Anguilla still earns the reputation for being the most dependable and accurate media outlet. I am proud, as Minister responsible for Information and Broadcasting, to congratulate Radio Anguilla on reaching its 50th year. I pray that it continues to build on its legacy of reliability, accuracy and integrity for another 50 years.

(Tuesday April 9th), we celebrate 50 years of Radio Anguilla.

On April 9th, 1969, Anguillians could not know that the equipment donated by the British paratroopers would result in a radio station that would stand the test of time. Radio Anguilla’s humble beginnings at the Plot in the Agricultural Department laid the foundation for a nation building service that keeps our community informed.
It is important, at this time, to reflect and pay tribute to all those who have paved the way so that we can continue to be reliably informed and educated. It is equally important for us to continue to chart the way forward – based on the established best practices – while using advancements in technology to make us more efficient as we carry out our mandate.
In celebrating 50 years, we reflect on and pay tribute to Mr. Menes Hodge, Mr. Nat Hodge, Mr. Wycliffe Richardson and Mr. Kenneth Hodge – four persons who have led Radio Anguilla into becoming, and remaining, The Nation’s Station under their direction. These gentlemen will be honoured and awarded on the night of May 25th, 2019, as part of Radio Anguilla’s year-long celebrations. As the station was born out of the Anguilla Revolution, it is only fitting that this event forms part of the official Anguilla Day Calendar of Events this year. Members of the public are invited to show their appreciation and purchase tickets for this event at CuisinArt’s ballroom.
Radio Anguilla’s current team, whose dedication is unwavering, must also be commended as we strive to continue serving, amidst ongoing construction for many months! We are excited about what our work environment will become and the efficiency it will provide.

Today, we mark the occasion of our anniversary with the commissioning of our new 3 kilo-watt transmitter at Crocus Hill. When construction is complete, we’ll install and commission new studio equipment and invite you all to celebrate this with us. We want to thank our community for being patient with us since Hurricane Irma as we work to improve our output with limited resources. Radio Anguilla would be nothing without the community we serve. You provide the information, you create the events, you listen and give feedback. We appreciate you now and over the past 50 years!
Trust is the most important asset in public broadcasting. Audiences rely on the information and perspectives of broadcasters as they make decisions in their public and personal lives. We owe it to our listeners to be fair, balanced and impartial. The world is changing faster than ever, and the world of radio with it. With an aim of catering to the entire Anguillian community and diaspora) Radio Anguilla continues to do more with less, implementing many new local programmes with our community in mind, and working efficiently to do so. We have just implemented our paperless newscast, as we are conscious of our environment. Bulletin Board announcements, programme and commercial logs, are being read by Announcers from the computer screen as well. Our commitment to changing for the better continues! Our new website launches on May 1st!

The vital role the station plays in times of emergency and disaster is something that cannot go without recognition. This responsibility is taken very seriously. Many have heard the stories of staff at the station during Hurricane Irma – continuing with their mandate, while the building swayed, leaked and vibrated. The recent construction of an all-concrete “safe room” is expected to provide some level of comfort to staff in what we hope to be the DISTANT future.

Coverage of significant national events, such as House of Assembly meetings, the Annual Anguilla Day Parade and the Anguilla Summer Festival, is of high importance on Radio Anguilla’s agenda.
In the next 50 years, and beyond, Radio Anguilla will continue to provide the service of public broadcasting which is so necessary for our community. Reliable news and current affairs programmes will always be the backbone of the Nation’s Station. As we celebrate 50 years of Radio Anguilla, in our community, let us all be grateful that our country has a dependable public broadcasting service that constantly has its community at heart.
Fifty years later, The Nation’s Station continues to represent all residents and people of Anguilla through a diverse range of local, regional and international programming, news and music. We invite the public to celebrate with us all year long. Call in today with best wishes, and continue listening and using the station for the dissemination of information.

It is an honour to be a part of an institution so steeped in Anguilla’s History! Happy 50th Anniversary, Radio Anguilla!

During this week, the Ministry of Tourism hosts representatives of U.S. based consulting firm, The Innovation Group, an integrated gaming advisory firm with public and private sector experience. The Innovation Group is a premier provider of consulting services for the gaming and hospitality industry, offering a full range of services including Market Analysis and Feasibility; Financial Analysis; Marketing and Operations Analysis; Economic, Social & Community Impact; Legislative and Legal Services; Site Analysis & Project Development; and Data Analysis, just to name a few.

The Innovation Group team is represented by Mr. Michael Soll, President of the company, and Mr. Michael Vanaskie, Director of Operations Planning, who will also be managing the project for Anguilla. The initial visit to Anguilla is to conduct preliminary investigations and engage a small cross-section of public and private sector stakeholders on the potential social, economic and financial impacts of the gaming market on Anguilla’s tourism economy. To date, the group has provided the Government of Anguilla a scope for work supporting Anguilla’s research into the feasibility of establishing casino and related gaming activity under multiple scenarios, and the effects such developments in the gaming market could have on tourism volumes, spending, fiscal gains and on the local resident population.

The Innovation Group has experience in more than 100 market areas, with private organizations, professional associations and government agencies. It has worked in almost all 50 U.S. States, and has completed projects in Europe, South America, Africa, China, Canada, the Middle East, Mexico and the Caribbean. The Group has conducted a similar study for the Government of Bermuda, where they were asked to recommend a gaming implementation platform, assess market-wide gaming potential for casino, Video Lottery Terminal (VLT) or lottery based gaming, and recommend what pattern of distribution would best meet the economic development goals of the island’s government.

The Government of Anguilla recognizes that there is a divergence of views on the very sensitive matter of gaming and casinos in Anguilla, and is also cognizant that Anguilla is in a very competitive international and regional tourism marketplace – so there is need to provide a more diverse tourism product for our visitors and varied sets of experiences that may help to attract more visitors to our shores. While the Government of Anguilla does not currently have a policy position on gaming, it is taking an objective position to assessing the final report on the findings of The Innovation Group, as well as to having discussions with the various local stakeholders and other entities on the way forward.

– Press Release

A proposed Code of Conduct for political candidates, political parties and independent candidates has now been published on the Anguilla Government’s website as the 2020 general election and at large voting draw near.

An interesting and necessary part of the Code is sub-headed “Respect for Media and Journalists”.
The four-page document reads as follows:

Purpose of Code
1. This Code is a voluntary agreement which seeks to create an atmosphere which lends itself to the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections without conflict, fear or intimidation in all activity relating to political campaigning.

General Principles
2. (i) All political parties, their members and supporters, and all candidates and their supporters, must accept that individuals have the right to their own political ideas which can be presented without fear of reprisal or intimidation. This right MUST be respected.

(ii) Candidates must avoid the defamation of character of their opponents, families and supporters. Emphasis should be placed on issues and not personalities.
(iii) Absolutely no abusive attacks should be directed to campaigners or their family members whether it be because of political affiliation, social origin, race, education, gender, religion, etc.
(iv) Candidates must be as truthful as possible about the past and present socio-economic state of Anguilla.
(v) Persons registered to vote must be able to do so freely without being victimized, interfered with, intimidated or offered favors.

Prohibited Conduct
3. (i) Publishing of false allegations about a party, its candidates, representatives or members.

(ii) Preventing the distribution of leaflets and the display of posters by other candidates
(iii) Bribing voters to vote in a particular manner
(iv) Bribing an election official to induce him or her to make a false entry of votes, alter, or falsify election results.

(v) Publishing personal information about voters on the voters’ list supplied by the Central Electoral Office or using the information on the voters list to harass/intimidate voters.
(vi) Damaging or defacing property, including posters, banners or any other form of election material belonging to opposing candidates.
(vii) Carrying or displaying weapons at political meetings, demonstrations, rallies or other political events.
(viii) Using bribes or any kinds or inducements to persons for them to participate in activities of a political party not of their choice.
Conduct during Polling Period

4. At midnight before polling day until polling stations are closed on that day, no political party or candidate may –
(i) hold public gatherings of any kind
(ii) disrupt the work of election officials at polling or counting stations
(iii) be the cause of or permit the publication of any advertisement or statement promoting or opposing a particular party or candidate.

5. On polling day all political parties, their members, supporters and all candidates and their supporters, must –
(i) conduct themselves so as to respect the secrecy and integrity of the ballots.
(ii) co-operate with election officials to ensure polling goes as orderly as possible. Respect for Media and Journalists

6. Every political party and candidate must

(i) show respect for news media before, during and after the election
(ii) ensure that no media agent is being subjected to harassment, threats or physical assault by their representatives/supporters
(iii) not deny members of news media access to public political meetings, marches, rallies, etc.

Compliance
7. Every political party and candidate alike, is expected to pledge to comply with this Code.

(i) A political party, will instruct its candidates, persons who hold political office in the party and its representatives, members and supporters to comply with this code and any relevant electoral and general laws.
(ii) A candidate, will instruct any representative and supporters of the candidate to comply with Code and any relevant electoral and general laws.
Every political party should prevent their office-bearers, members and supporters from violating this Code and any applicable electoral or general law, and take the necessary disciplinary action against those that do. This applies to candidates and their representatives and supporters as well.

Duty to Co-operate
8. Every candidate and political party must co-operate:
(i) with other parties to avoid electoral-related conflict as much as possible; such as calling public meetings, marches or rallies that clash with those called by another party or candidate contesting the election.
(ii) with police officers to maintain peace during the election period.
(iii) with election authorities to protect and uplift their role to supervise and administer elections

To offer unstinting service for 50 years, continuously, is no easy feat. Radio Anguilla is indeed the Nation’s Radio Station. It has, despite a surge in the number of radio stations on island, retained a paramount position as the premier station for reliable information from trusted sources. Radio Anguilla is famously described as the Voice of Choice – the source of information, education and entertainment, for the people of Anguilla.

The Radio Station was birthed in 1969 to facilitate the need of the British paratroopers to communicate the British Government’s position to Anguillians. Gradually, the focus of the station shifted and it began to assume the role of generally informing, educating and entertaining the general populace. A role it performs to this day. In the early days the issue of choice did not trouble Radio Anguilla, as it had no ‘on island’ competitors. Today, the broadcasting landscape on Anguilla has changed considerably and Radio Anguilla is one of many radio stations on island. In order to justifiably coin the description “Voice of Choice” it must therefore distinguish itself – and this it has done over the years.

Radio Anguilla is the source of current information pertaining to local, regional and international events. Its coverage of national events is anticipated and appreciated. The station can be relied on to bring balance to controversial and often disputed issues, by ensuring that the facts are heard from the proverbial “horse’s mouth”. Radio Anguilla has distinguished itself by promoting and hosting informative and well-researched talk shows, thereby enlightening its listeners on issues of great relevance to them.
The need to cater to the varied musical tastes of the Anguilla population has not been lost on Radio Anguilla. The music genres played by Radio Anguilla are testimony to this, and it is clear that significant care is taken in ensuring that it has an up-to-date and varied musical selection available for the listening pleasure of its audience.

Radio Anguilla has not been without its challenges. A very significant challenge has been to ensure that it not only espouses that it is the Nation’s Station, but that this is reflected in its actual broadcasting. Radio Anguilla has had to respond to both overt and covert attempts to tailor or restrict its mandate to allow the nation’s issues to be communicated to the masses, by all relevant persons, in a fair and unbiased manner. Very few persons know of the battles fought in this regard and, luckily, today those little known battles seem to be a thing of the past.

Radio Anguilla has over the years received its share of criticism. A lot of it pointed to what appeared to Radio Anguilla’s slow response to changing times. The station’s response to these criticisms has served to place it in the position where it can indisputably describe itself as the “Voice of Choice”. Responding to criticism has seen the constant evolution of specialized programming and talk show programmes. No longer is reliance simply placed on traditional radio but new social media trends are utilised, in conjunction with traditional radio, to reach the widest possible audience. In this respect, Radio Anguilla has secured for itself a significant Facebook presence.

The recognition of Radio Anguilla as the Nation’s Station is never more pronounced than during and after a significant hurricane event. Radio Anguilla’s sterling contribution at these times cannot be discounted by even its strongest critics. We will forever be grateful to Radio Anguilla’s staff who, in those trying, difficult and dangerous moments, continued to offer service and comfort to their fellowmen and women. We will be forever grateful – though we may often fail to vocalize our gratitude.

Radio Anguilla’s accomplishments would not have been achieved without the efforts of those who, over the years, served in leadership positions at that institution – and those who supported the leaders. The Anguillian offers heartiest congratulations to Radio Anguilla, and to all its local directors beginning with Mr. Menes Hodge (now Rev. Hodge) – through to the current director, Ms. Farrah Banks, and the various staff members who served with the directors. These persons contributed to the growth of Radio Anguilla from its birth to its 50th anniversary and are therefore very deserving of congratulations.

Congratulations and best wishes to Radio Anguilla as it continues to respond appropriately to our varied needs and interests.

View of Road Bay and land settlement

There have been two recent developments as plans move ahead for the construction of the Road Bay Project which will be a new and third jetty, and other related facilities, at Sandy Ground.

One of the developments is found in the Minutes of the Executive Council Meeting dated March 21, 2019 – and published on April 2. The Council’s EX MEM 19/76 relates to the acquisition of property in Registration Section Road, Block 08412 B, Parcel 172, comprising 0.80 of an acre and developed with Pelican Villa at Sandy Ground. The land there is part of the space required for the new facilities to further make Road Bay Anguilla’s main port of entry for cargo boats and other vessels.
The Executive Council noted that the above property was being purchased by the Anguilla Social Security Board through its subsidiary, the Anguilla Social Security Investment and Development Corporation (ASSIDCO), at a price of US$630,000, on behalf of the Government of Anguilla for the Road Bay Development Project. The sellers are Mr. William J. McLaughlin and Mrs. Helen McLaughlin.

The Executive Council stressed that there should be “the exercise of best efforts and necessary due diligence by the various officials of the Government of Anguilla, the Anguilla Social Security Board/the Anguilla Social Security Investment and Development Corporation and the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority, to achieve the closing of the sale and purchase transaction.” This is “to be followed shortly by the transfer and exchange of land with the Government of Anguilla/Crown in an efficient and timely manner as possible, cognizant of the target timeline for the implementation of the Road Bay Development Project.”
The Council “encouraged the officials to work towards a tripartite agreement and agreed that the Attorney General’s Chambers should be involved in the agreement and process.”

Part of the land area to be acquired

The second recent development in the plans for the Road Bay Port Project is the recent announcement by the Manager of the UK-funded Anguilla Programme, Mr. Darren Forbes-Batey, MBE, that, under a different arrangement, the UK Government had agreed to a further 6.5 million pounds for the re-start of the project in 2019/20. He said his office was “working in cooperation with the consultants, DLN (based in Barbados), the Anguilla Air and Sea Ports Authority and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities and Housing (MICUH) to deliver the much-needed new port facilities at Anguilla’s one and only goods/freight port.”

As intimated above, the UK Government had already approved some 6.8 million pounds for the project. The total approved amount for the project is in excess of 13 million pounds.

The UK Government earlier assisted in providing significant funding for the repair and improvement of the current Road Bay jetty, which had badly deteriorated since it was originally constructed by Royal Engineers in 1971. The urgent repair work had stopped the closure of the jetty, thus giving it many more years to continue in operation.

Pelican Villa (in disrepair) to be acquired

Meanwhile, there is a long-term objective to build a deep water harbor, at Corito, on the southern coast of Anguilla. Little is being heard, however, about that proposed development – suggesting that it might be sometime in the distant future.