Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/1815/-1/140/
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Cherishing The Anguilla Revolution
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Anguilla Day was celebrated with much pomp and ceremony on Tuesday June 1 as uniformed bodies converged on the Ronald Webster Park for the official parade witnessed by many officials and members of the private and public sectors. The parade comprised contingents from the Police, Scouts and Guides, Cub Scouts, Guides, Brownies, Pathfinders, Boys and Girls Brigade and Cadets. The various organisations were inspected by Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming, accompanied by Commissioner of Police Keithly Benjamin and Parade Commander, Allan Carty.
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Scene of the Anguilla Day Parade
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“Our children are the future of Anguilla and I am proud to recognise those represented here today in this brilliant display,” Mr. Fleming said after inspecting the parade which involved a considerable number of young people. “Let us show our appreciation to them and the role they are now playing. Our children, adults and senior citizens and all others who share this land are summoned to remember 1967. Many brave men and women made a sacrifice in order that we can live and work in the new Anguilla they pledged to build.” Mr. Fleming called on all to cherish the Anguilla Revolution, noting that it had provided opportunities for a great degree of prosperity and hope for the people of the island.
The Chief Minister went on: “Our celebration of the 37th Anniversary of Anguilla Day must also be a time of reflection and serious contemplation on the way forward. All sectors of the society must unite and combine our energies for positive action in order to consolidate our gains over the past 37 years.
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Scene of the Anguilla Day Parade
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“I plead with our educators, religious leaders, private sector leaders, service organisations and community-minded Anguillians and residents to forge partnerships that will address the apparent social decay that is threatening our land. If our social development lags behind our economic development all our endeavours would be in vain. The new Anguilla our forefathers dreamt about would only remain a dream.”
In what appeared to be a state of the nation address, Mr. Fleming said the Government was spending 31.5 million dollars, about 37 percent of the 2004 budget, on the provision of social services. Those services, he said, were being re-organised to respond more effectively to the needs of the elderly and young people.
He noted that tourism would remain the bedrock of the island’s economy and said more money was being spent to ensure increased occupancy and year-round visitor arrivals. This meant better earnings for employees and employers and more revenue for Government.
The Chief Minister described the championship golf course, estate homes and luxury villas and hotel now under construction as a major success story for the Government and people of Anguilla.
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Scene of the Anguilla Day Parade
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“It is estimated that US$160 million dollars will be invested in Anguilla as a result,” he continued. “This, we anticipate, will transform our tourism product and bring major economic benefits to the people of Anguilla.
“Government has also made the bold decision to invest US$22 million in the re-development of airport facilities. This infrastructure is critical to our expanding tourism industry and a pre-requisite for sustainable economic development.”
Mr. Fleming announced that construction work on four critical sections of roads across the island would commence shortly. These are the South Hill to Long Bay road; the Shoal Bay to Island Harbour road; the South Hill to Blowing Point road and the Spring Path road to Lower South Hill. Work is already in progress on the Cedar Village road.
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Scene of the Anguilla Day Parade
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The Chief Minister reported that economic activity in Anguilla was at an all time high. “At the end of April 2004, Government accounts showed over five million dollars in surplus,” he disclosed and added: “We appreciate the confidence our private sector partners have shown in our government and our capacity to guarantee political stability and an investor-friendly environment.”
Mr. Fleming was of the view that the future of Anguilla was promising. He gave the assurance that everything would be done to ensure that Anguillians continue to be major players and beneficiaries of the economic benefits that are available.
Chief Minister inspecting Police contingent of the Royal Anguilla Police Force
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