Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/1058/-1/135/
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RE-HOUSING AIRPORT RESIDENTS First House Under Construction
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As plans continue for the commencement of the Wallblake Airport extension in September, construction work is now in progress to replace the first of a number of dwelling houses which have to be relocated to facilitate the lengthening of the runway. The replacement house of 2,200 square-feet is for Poland Arrindell and family who have been living immediately across the road at the eastern end of the airstrip for many years.
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Emico Arrindell laying a block on behalf of her family, Contractor Selvyn Richardson looks on
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Excavation for the foundation, cistern and other initial work was done recently by Selvin Richardson of Fair Construction Company who is required to finish the house by July. The building of this first property was marked by a block-laying ceremony on Wednesday this week, April 23. Participating in the setting of several of the blocks were Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, Minister of Finance, Victor Banks, Minister of Infrastructure, Kenneth Harrigan, Emico Arrindell, (a member of the displaced family) and Albert Lake from whom the Government obtained the land in the Forest area for the house.
The block-laying ceremony was chaired by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Kenn Banks, who said the work was the first step in beginning the process of the expansion of the airport following negotiations with the families concerned.
Chief Minister Fleming said that the beginning of the housing for residents was a clear demonstration of Government’s commitment to the expansion of the airport. He commended the residents who had so far willingly cooperated with the Government. “This project is not one which belongs to the Government. It is belong to the people of Anguilla and I am very heartened to see the cooperation of the people of this area,” he stated. He was grateful to the Arrindell family for cooperating quickly and hoped they would enjoy their new home on completion. He hoped that later on other landowners would show the same level of understanding as demonstrated by the Arrindells.
Minister of Finance Mr. Banks was grateful for the sacrifices being made by the people in the Wallblake, Rey Hill, Forest and George Hill communities in agreeing to be relocated in order for the airport development to proceed for the common good of the island. He noted that although he was the Elected Representative for the district he had kept out of the negotiations. “This is because we have always maintained that the decisions on the airport project should not have anything to do with politics or with coercion by leaders of the Opposition or of the Government, but by the technical people making requests of the residents of the communities to make certain sacrifices,” Bank said. He stated that such sacrifices were necessary in order for an economic revolution to take place to provide sustainable development in the future.
Minister of Infrastructure Mr. Harrigan spoke about the importance of expanding Wallblake Airport. He was grateful to the Arrindell family for readily agreeing to be relocated to facilitate the lengthening of the airstrip. He stated that there were many other buildings to be constructed by Government and urged the contractor to proceed quickly with the work on the first dwelling house. He was grateful to the technical officers who had done much of the planning work and consultations with all the families involved whom he also thanked for their cooperation.
Permanent Secretary for Economic Development, Marcel Fahie, who was been one of the leading negotiators with the landowners, was the next speaker. “What has characterised the whole negotiation process is that the Government officials are committed to working out agreements and arrangements with the landowners and the residents that are fair and are worked out on an amicable and cordial approach, rather than being forced on them,” he said. Mr. Fahie acknowledged that the debt owned to the landowners for having to be displaced from areas to which they had emotional ties was more than the compensation worked out for them. “The compensation is however an indication of the understanding of the Government of the debt that is owed to them for sacrificing to ensure that all of us in Anguilla can have a much better opportunity to enjoy sustainable development,” he observed.
Mr.Fahie pointed out that time was of the essence so that by September construction of the runway could begin. He emphasised that there was little time left in which all players in the public service and elsewhere needed to take action to facilitate the project.
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The family’s present home just east of the airstrip and in the path of the expansion
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Emico Arrindell, speaking on behalf of her family, offered thanks to the Government. She said she was very happy for the development of Anguilla and for the safety of her household who are living just next to the airport. She extended the family’s good wishes for the expansion of the airstrip.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Fritz Smith who is the Airport Project Manager. The laying of blocks followed prayers by Foster Rogers, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development.
Worker looks on as first block is laid by Albert Lake, Chief Minister Osbourne Fleming, Minister of Finance Victor Banks Back row: Kenneth Harrigan, Emico Arrindell and her sister
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