The above is a question which has not been adequately answered even after meaningful talks this week involving the Salamander Group, the Government, Opposition and a press conference at the ultra-lovely Anguillian-owned Shriva Boutique Hotel overlooking Cove Bay and Maundays Bay.

In its rare meetings with potential and actual developers in Anguilla, it is fair to say that the local press had never witnessed such a display of fervent interest in project investment on the island like that demonstrated by the Salamander Group. The principal of the company, Mrs. Shelia Johnson, supported by an eminent team of advisers, appeared so emotionally charged, so deeply in love with Anguilla, and so fixed in her resolve to invest in the Temenos/Flag project, notwithstanding the myriad of financial obligations and other difficulties surrounding it, that she was likely to weep if pushed to the limit.

When you get that kind of absorbing interest by a developer with the monetary means, experience and overpowering excitement to become involved in a country’s national development projects, failed or new, it seems foolhardy not to grasp what may be a Godsend opportunity.

Both Government and Opposition are united in the belief that the time has come to bring conclusion to the situation in which the project has been closed for too long, bringing the island’s economic growth to a near halt. The Government now realises that it is the “eleventh hour”, according to the Minister of Finance, as it continues to look closely at the project with public acquisition as an option, yet giving Mr. Sillerman, the developer, the courtesy to do something about the matter, and while Salamander and other potential investors are knocking at the door for attention. The vociferous voice of the Opposition, trumpeted by Mr. Hubert Hughes, is saying that Salamander is the right investor, that Mr. Sillerman should no longer be involved and that Government should move forward to compulsory public acquisition. The Minister of Finance has described the Salamander Group as “a good fit” but no one really knows what the final decision will be.

It is a rather strange and complex situation. The debts involved in the project amount to a big matter to consider. The actual market value of the project as it stands is another consideration although there are professional evaluators who can easily arrive at that – whether or not it is in agreement with the original developer. Notwithstanding that, Salamander is prepared to give Government the money to pay for the acquisition and to provide the six million US dollars owed to Anguillian suppliers and vendors, but somehow there are other issues which are obviously difficult to handle.

One may be dealing with Mr. Sillerman as the developer to whom much careful respect is to be accorded and no one can really see into his mind. The ball cannot be in everybody’s court – the Government to acquire or a new investor to take over the project. It seems that the ball is largely in Mr. Sillerman’s court and may require his cooperation and understanding to bat it out or, if not, to otherwise juggle it out through acquisition which ever applies. But the Government has a big responsibility when it comes to securing the national interest and must act accordingly. The creditors to the project, who are owed large sums, can also follow a route of foreclosure which may provide a way out and opportunities for other investors with the interest and ability to take over the project. The Salamander Group is an able and ready contender.

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