Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/5536/-1/140/
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Delegation Enjoys Various Fellowship Moments In UK
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The Honourable Osbourne B. Fleming and his delegation attended several functions while in the UK. On Tuesday, 4th December, they attended a Reception at Lancaster House, St. James’ in London which was hosted on the occasion of the Overseas Territories Consultative Council (OTCC). Meg Munn Mp Parliamentary Under Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office presided.
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L-R: Governor George, Former Governor Peter Johnstone, Chief Minister Fleming and Former Governor Alan Huckle
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Chief Minister Fleming expressed his delight to have had the opportunity to fellowship with the present Governor Andrew George as well as to reunite with past Governors Huckle and Johnstone respectively. In addition the Chief Minister and his delegated used this opportunity to discuss pertinent matters that the territories were experiencing as well as sharing and exchanging ideas with other leaders on the advancement and resolution of other pertinent issues.
On Friday, December 7th, the delegation attended a funeral service of thanksgiving for Mr. Nevon Wilfred Hughes which was held at Ledgers Road Methodist Church, Ledgers Road, Slough. The church was filled to capacity and the Honourable Victor Banks said that he was pleased for the support and solidarity displayed by Anguillians living in Slough. The delegation had the opportunity to meet many Anguilllians at this thanks giving service as well as at the Slough Cemetery where Mr. Hughes was laid to rest.
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Chief Minister and Anguillians in UK
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On Saturday, December 8th, the Honourable Chief Minister and the delegation attended church in West London with fellow Anguillian Miss Emilyn Carty. Miss Emily Carty is the secretary at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Chiswick, West London. Pastor Holder delivered the sermon and shared on Communion and the taking of the Holy Sacrement. After the sermon the Chief Minister Fleming participated in the Feet-Washing Service which is customary to do before taking Communion. Mr. Mervyn Foster Rogers was given the opportunity and he sang a song which was well received.
Mr. Fleming and Mr. Banks continue to cherish an opportunity to fellowship with Anguillians living in the UK as a vital part of their programme while in the UK. One special evening of fellowship in particular was a dinner that was hosted by Grace Vanterpool in her home. Several Anguillians including her husband, her sisters, her brother, Eldin Riley, Richard Carty and Bess Carty were present.
Saturday evening, at the Methodist Church on Ledgers Road in Slough, the delegation held a meeting which was attended by Anguillians living mainly in the Slough area. In attendance also were Anguillians living in other area of the UK as well as known Anguillians who recently went to the UK for varying reasons including medical attention and tertiary education. The Meeting was chaired by Mr. Claude Brooks. The Secretary Robert Williams gave the invocation. Chief Fleming gave the opening remarks. He highlighted the importance of meeting with the Anguillians in the UK in an effort to share information and answer questions. Mr. Fleming told the audience that Anguilla had gone for a Budget in 1985 of EC$3million to a present approximate Budget of EC$270 Million. He further went on to stress that there are people form all walks and nationalities of life namely Turkey, Venezuela, China, India, and all the countries in the Caribbean region. He spoke of the two projects Flags and Viceroy respectively and further went on to explain the need for the importation of foreign labour. He also mentioned the two local projects at Rendezvous and Conch Bay. Mr. Fleming in closing highlighted the need for Anguillians to return home. He listed a number of job opening that will be available and encouraged all Anguillians to constantly inquire and visit websites and read newspapers as to the job situation in Anguilla.
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L-R: Edison Baird, Victor Banks, Claude Brooks and Mr. Fleming
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The Honourable Minister of Finance Victor F. Banks spoke next. He mentioned the development in Anguilla and stressed on the sacrifices made by many Anguillians in the process. He highlighted the airport development as an example and said that to make this a reality many persons had to be relocated from their homes, involve themselves in land matters, and rearrange their modality of their lives. Mr. Banks said the Government was performing well in that the revenue estimates for 2007 was exceeded within the first nine months. He stated that the roads network throughout the island had been improved with the exception of the town roads for which an estimated EC$13.3 Million was allocated for in the 2008 budget. The Minister of Finance went on to say that the Government had recognized significant prosperity which is ongoing but stated that greater care and attention must be paid moving forward in the social sector. Mention was made of the substantive investment increases in education. In 2005 EC$4 mil was spent. In 2006 EC$6 Mil was spent. In 2007 EC$8 Mil was spent. The increase in financial assistance and scholarships does highlight the Minister of Social Developments thrust to strengthen the local human resources. Additionally, Mr. Banks mentioned the (352) three hundred and fifty two students whom to date have benefited form the Community College Programme and the new premises being developed for use in 2008. Notwithstanding, Mr. Banks pointed out that there is a need for a holistic approach in combating the negative elements within Anguilla’s society. He said the source must be arrested but generalities used in naming the home, the church, the school, lack of programmes, government, etc, as the root of the problems must be avoided. He stressed the fact that the values that make us Anguillian must be preserved. The Minister said that although change is inevitable we must continue to mitigate the impact of progress.
Opposition Member the Honourable Eddison Baird was the third speaker. Mr. Baird applauded the Government for solving the unemployment problem. He went of further to say that despite the fact there Anguilla was developing it came with a cost. He stressed that care must be exercised so as to ensure that the cost associated with the said development is no too high. He reiterated the Chief Minister’s position relative to the filling of job positions. He said that after the construction boom a number of jobs will become available and he would like to see Anguillians taking up the top level jobs that were to be issued in advertisements on the internet and in various newspapers. He went on further to speak of the crime situation and the need to scrutinize applications for work permits.
Other issues raised at the townhall meeting included Health, replacement of bounds disrupted by road works, the National Health Fund, incentives for Anguillians returning home, , crime, minimum wage, Indian Workers Dispute, and family land matters, complications and disputes. The meeting commenced at 7:30pm and ended at 9:30pm.
- Press Release