News

The steady fleet of executive jets flying into Wallblake Airport from the United States and other parts of the world, following the extension of the runway just over a year ago, has been accentuated by the landing of a Boeing 737-200 jet on a direct chartered flight from La Guardia, New York.

Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, told the House of Assembly on Tuesday, February 21, that the Anguilla Government had worked extremely hard to ensure that in terms of national development, the administration could achieve its objective of creating a level of independence in financial matters.

The Anguilla Development Board (ADB) is to borrow five million Eastern Caribbean dollars from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) for on-lending to Anguillians to finance various private-sector projects as well as educational opportunities. A Motion to this effect is to be introduced in the island’s House of Assembly for ratification by Minister of Finance, Victor Banks on Tuesday, February 21.

The people of Anguilla are once again caught up in a constitutional and electoral review following the Government’s decision to reinvigorate the process which was started by a previous committee under the chairmanship of David Carty.

The largest and most ambitious public sector infrastructure project to be undertaken by the Anguilla Government is to be a seaport development taking in Road Bay, Blowing Point and Corito, each area to have its own facilities and functions. While the bigger portions of the project will not start until the next few years, the groundwork is already being laid with the appointment of the Anguilla Port Development Project Board to advise on the way forward and later to oversee the implementation of the project.

Policy matters relating to security cooperation between Anguilla and St. Martin/St. Maarten were the main subjects discussed at a tripartite meeting involving top level officials from the islands on Tuesday this week. They met in the Executive Council Chambers at the Governor’s Office in Anguilla.

A number of young Anguillian athletes of school age, are expected to make their island proud when they participate, over the coming months, in a number of award-winning competitions on the regional and international scene. Not only are they being vigorously trained by a number of local persons, with excellent backgrounds in sports, but two highly experienced and recognised Cuban coaches and former athletes have been brought to Anguilla until February 12 to assist with the training of the youngsters at the Ronald Webster Park.

Farmers in Anguilla breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday, January 18, when two tractors and arrange of equipment were handed over by the Governor’s Office and the Anguilla Government.

Anyone visiting or passing through the Passenger Ferry Terminal at Blowing Point will like what they see: a security facility to protect the Anguillian homeland as well as to upgrade and beautify the port. There has been a 30-foot extension to the building providing two wide walkways for passengers approaching the attractive Immigration and Customs counters and there is also a walk through detection scanner and alarm system.

As more and more people continue to fly direct to Anguilla on private executive jets from the United States, Europe and even far away places like Russia, the parking space at Wallblake Airport has become a matter to think about.

I wish to extend a prosperous and happy new year to everyone living within as well as without the boundaries of Anguilla. Firstly, I must express my gratitude to the Almighty for bringing us into a good land. I am delighted that even our critics are now applauding the dawning of this new day in Anguilla.

The Christmas Season is here again and there is much activity throughout Anguilla. Of particular note is the special festive lighting and effigies of the Nativity.

The Anguilla Government will set up a new Constitutional and Electoral Reform Commission to start work early in 2006. Governor Alan Huckle is now consulting members of the Opposition and representatives of non-governmental organisations about the membership of the commission.

A Government Budget of EC$139.46 million to finance the island’s public services during 2006 has been introduced in the Anguilla House of Assembly, which carries the formal name of the Atlin Harrigan OBE Parliamentary Building.

Young Anguillians have been told to take advantage of the many opportunities now available to them to educate themselves in preparation for the top jobs on the island. This was the central theme of the debate in the House of Assembly on December 2 when the Caribbean Examinations Bill, 2005 was introduced by Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers.

The Government’s Budget, setting out the Estimates of Recurrent Revenue and Expenditure for 2006, is being finalised for presentation in the House of Assembly on Tuesday, December 13. On that day, the Budget Address will be presented at 3.00 p.m. by Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Victor Banks.

Anguilla’s Chief Minister, the Honourable Osbourne Fleming, says that aside from his secular duties, he is on a new mission “to win souls for Christ.”

There appears to be a few areas of concern over the new zoning taxi rates announced by Government last week.

The new Governor of Anguilla in succession to His Excellency Alan Huckle, is Andrew Neil George who will be taking up his appointment in mid next year.

Anguillian educator, Dulcie Richardson, formerly Connor, celebrated her 70th Birthday with a Thanksgiving Service at Bethel Methodist Church and a dinner at the Anguilla Great House on Saturday, November 26.