Everybody is talking about the need for the people of Anguilla to hear what the latest information is regarding the working of the newly-elected Government, and the formula, or general plans, they may have to catapult the island out of its current economic and financial woes.

Certainly, it has always been found by all incoming governments everywhere, and their populations, that most cases, if not all, election promises are just what they are, and that it is another matter when the new leaders come face to face with the problems they either inherit or which otherwise manifest themselves.

To be fair, the new Government needs to be given a chance to settle down and to plot the course of the ship of state, but when it takes too long to do so, no one can fault the people for showing some anxiety and, if necessary, making some demands to know what is happening. The only thing that has been heard so far officially, recently, is the address by the Chief Minister following his return from Brussels and London. And even so, the critics have been quick to question its substance and promise of hope, as long as it was.

What is being tooted around, are rumours and more rumours which the Government must move to dispel in the interest of the promised transparency and accountability. There have been the dismantling of Boards and the appointment of new ones; and there are reports of movement of offices in rented places of accommodation and other cost-cutting measures but these are in fact purely cosmetic and administrative and therefore not substantive when it comes to dealing with the economic and social development interests of the people of Anguilla. There are also reports of new taxation, one of which is reportedly a levy on vehicles. This is information worth telling the people as work is said to be in hand on crafting a belated 2010 budget.

There is also a need to know what thoughts are being pursued in the area of economic development as there is an urgent necessity to find some way of jump-starting the economy. The one project that everybody is anxious to hear about is the Flag/Temenos development in which the Salamander Group of Washington, as well as the new Government, have expressed much interest. Of course this company is only one of some 25 other groups which have expressed a desire to be considered in the discussions and scheme of things. But with the legal and debt problems, and other challenges involving that project, one must admit that it will take some time, and perhaps skilful negotiations, to get started and to fulfill the promise of employment and income.

This commentary in no way means to be offensive. It is in fact only a teaser to let the Government know that its citizenry are anxiously waiting to hear from them either through broadcasts, public forums/consultations or press conferences.

For now, the silence is deafening.

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