Elected Opposition Member for Road North, Edison Baird, fielded a number of questions in the Anguilla House of Assembly to Minister of Finance, Economic Development, Industry, Commerce and Tourism, Victor Banks, and Minister of Infrastructure, Communications and Public Utilities, Kenneth Harrigan.

Hon. Victor Banks

Both Ministers gave written answers to the questions which were also scripted.

The question and answer period formed part of the business of the House on May 15.

Hon. Kenneth Harrigan

The questions by Mr. Baird and the answers given by Mr. Banks were as follows:

Questions: There is a clear need for Government to conserve its scarce financial resources. Government is spending huge sums of money in leasing various properties to house Government offices and departments.

Hon. Edison Baird

To better understand this phenomenon, please provide me with the following information in respect of the Attorney General’s Chambers:

1. Who is the lessor?

2. What is the rent on an annual basis?

3. How long is the building leased for?

4. Is the lease renewable and under what conditions?
5. Given the rent, do you believe that Government is getting value for money?
6. Does Government have any plans of constructing office facilities for the Attorney General’s Chambers?

Mr. Banks replied as follows:
1.The lessor is Caribbean Rentals Limited

2. The rental on an annual basis is EC$192,000. You will, however, be aware that additional space is now being prepared. No lease has yet been drawn up for this space.

3.The building was rented for five years in the first instance with a renewal for a further five years.

4. The lease is renewal under the same conditions.

5. Government has few options in terms of the rental of office space. However, if you look in the Capital Budget section of your Budget you will see a sum of $300,000 for Government Central Office Accommodation Master Plan. You will also notice a number of Office Buildings provided for in this section. Government is aware that in the long run it will be more feasible to construct its own accommodation.

The questions which Mr. Baird asked and the answers provided by Mr. Harrigan were embedded in the following statements:

Baird: The main road, that part stretching from the Sandy Ground Customs Building to the South Hill round-about, has become the most dangerous road on the island. It is only a question of time before tourists and locals are killed. This is due to the following factors:
Trucks transporting material from the port to other parts of the island make a mockery of the speed limit, 30 miles per hour, going as fast as 70 miles per hour or more.

Harrigan: The enforcement of speed limits is the responsibility of the Royal Anguilla Police Force.

Baird: These trucks are uncovered and spill sand, gravel and blocks on the road and no effort is made to clean it.

Harrigan: The Ministry of Infrastructure has discussed this problem with the offenders on numerous occasions. However, there is a need for legislation to deal with this problem to make it an offence for trucks to transport materials uncovered. As recently as April 2007 the Ministers met with truckers to discuss the problem.
Baird: It has become highly dangerous for other users of the road, locals and tourists alike to negotiate such a hazardous situation.
In light of the above, I am asking you as the relevant Minister to indicate what steps, if any, you intend to take to eradicate such a persistent danger. I also wish to point out that this road is used by locals and tourists alike residing in various sections of the island.

Harrigan: The Ministry of Infrastructure is currently working with the Attorney General’s Chambers and the Royal Anguilla Police Force to devise and enforce legislation to address the problem. In the meantime the Ministry also plans to continue to meet and hold discussions with the truckers with a view of getting rid of this problem.

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