tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post8757814620419013888..comments2023-05-05T07:13:41.889-04:00Comments on Corruption-free Anguilla: Borrowing stillUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-14094638252642961772010-02-04T09:25:11.769-04:002010-02-04T09:25:11.769-04:00I agree with the first poster above.
In a governm...I agree with the first poster above.<br /><br />In a government press release issued in 2006<br />http://tinyurl.com/yers7ry we find some details on part of the financing for the Wallblake Airport Expansion Project, known as "WAEP" by those admitted to the Inner Circle:<br /><br />"One year and nine months after the completion of Wallblake Airport Expansion Project, the Financing Agreement, which paves the way for European Union assistance to Anguilla’s Medium Term Air Transport Sector Plan, covering the period 2004 to 2008, was officially signed by the Territorial Authorizing Officer for Anguilla and Permanent Secretary, FEDICT Dr Aidan Harrigan. This is a process that started in 2003 when the Single Programming Document was drafted and submitted to the European Commission. This now clears the way for the release of 3.5 million Euros as Budgetary Support for Anguilla. This is the first tranche of an allocation of 8.0 million Euros for Anguilla earmarked for the Air Transport Sector. A further 1.0 million euros from in unutilized funds from the EDF 8 programme is also available to Anguilla.<br /><br />"Over EC$50 million was estimated to have been spent on the Wallblake Airport Expansion Project. Out of this amount EC$40.5 million was borrowed from Scotiabank for the project. The funds received from the European Union will be used to repay the short term loan of $27 million due to be fully repaid in 2008."<br /><br />Although we are a year or two late, I believe this is the EDF money Don refers to. In our fine tradition of blaming foreigners for everything that besets any Anguilla ruling party, we blame the late payment on the EDF. At the CM's weekly press conference a year or two ago (undated): http://tinyurl.com/y9dy7uc<br />Victor complained about late payment by the EDF:<br /><br />"Mr. Banks said that Anguilla was part of the European Fund EDF 9 and that the delegation was concerned that three disbursements of the funds to the island had been very late. According to him, the funds total EC$25 million at the present exchange rate."<br /><br />At the recent Consultative Council meeting in London, several Overseas Territory leaders complained to Chris Bryant about the time it takes to collect funds from the EDF once the funds are committed. As Bryant answers in the House for the FCO Overseas Territories Ministry, perhaps he felt it inappropriate to ask this Parliamentary Question and asked his friend Lord Jones to do so in the Lords. Helping colleagues carry their bucket of shit is common in Parliament.<br /><br />10 years ago last week, Lord Jones of Cheltenham and his assistant were attacked by a deranged constituent using a samurai sword. The loyal assistant was killed trying to protect his Lord, for which act he was awarded, posthoumously, the George Medal. Lord Jones was seriously injured. Please forgive him if he's been a mite goosey of late.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37949944.post-1063518717857862602010-02-04T07:38:17.314-04:002010-02-04T07:38:17.314-04:00A December 2008 report on EU relations with Anguil...A December 2008 report on EU relations with Anguilla [http://ec.europa.eu/development/geographical/regionscountries/countries/country_profile.cfm?cid=ai&type=short&lng=en] suggests that the loan is to do with the airport expansion project. <br /><br />The part of the report in question states that, “The initial 9th EDF allocation to Anguilla amounted to € 8 million. Adding the transfers from previous EDFs, the indicative territorial allocation amounts to € 8.29 million. The total amount of € 8.29 million is granted to Anguilla as sector budgetary support to infrastructure, and in particular air transport. The entire initial allocation has already been committed. Following the 9th EDF Mid-Term Review, the initial allocation has been increased with 3 M€, for an extension of the existing budget support programme (resulting in a total of 11.29 M€).”Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com