Victoria Chalmers - ZJB Radio

Director of Montserrat Red Cross shares Focus Areas for Organization

Recently appointed Director of the Montserrat Red Cross, Delmaude Ryan, says one of her immediate priorities is ensuring the organization is aligned with its mission to support vulnerable people in the community. Ryan was speaking with ZJB news and explained that the focus is on determining how many individuals will be reached through Red Cross programmes and how those initiatives will improve readiness and resilience within the community. Ryan said improving communication with the public is a key part of the organization’s future direction, ensuring that residents better understand how the Red Cross operates locally and how its programmes benefit the community.

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Dr. Samuel Joseph Leads 2026 St. Patrick’s Lecture

News

“The Magic Trap: Why Montserrat Must Raise Architects, Not Followers” This was the topic of discussion at the Annual St. Patrick’s Lecture 2026 on Wednesday. Presented by numeracy specialist and educator Dr. Samuel Joseph, the lecture centered on the importance of raising youth to think and produce instead of only following processes. Dr. Joseph said compliance is taught, noting the factors mostly considered to make a “good student”. He highlighted the need to redesign the education system to escape the procedure trap. Dr. Joseph also explained why students must develop their thinking and reasoning skills before using Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool. He said children must have prior knowledge so that they can command the AI. This, he dubbed as “cognitive sovereignty.” This lecture was a collaborative presentation between the University of the West Indies Global Campus – Montserrat and the Montserrat Arts Council. The St. Patrick’s Lecture is an annual event founded by Sir Howard Fergus.

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Mines Advisory Group (MAG) Team Visits Montserrat

News

Strengthening security practices in Montserrat is the primary aim of a visiting team from the Mines Advisory Group (MAG). Governor, Her Excellency Harriet Cross, welcomed the team to the island on Tuesday March 10, 2026. The MAG crew is on island working with CARICOM IMPACS to support the safe management of armouries and the responsible disposal of old or unserviceable weapons across the region. This work helps ensure Montserrat’s systems continue to meet the highest international safety standards. Governor Cross expressed her appreciation for the team’s visit and their commitment to strengthening security practices both on Montserrat and across the wider region. As part of their visit, they also met with the Commissioner of Police and armoury experts at the Royal Montserrat Police Service (RMPS). CARICOM IMPACS (Implementation Agency for Crime and Security) is the specialized institution responsible for managing the Caribbean’s regional security agenda. It works to protect the region by coordinating actions against transnational organized crime, enhancing cybersecurity, and securing maritime, environmental, and natural resources to foster a safer, sustainable Caribbean community. Established in 2006, IMPACS is central to the security pillar of the Caribbean Community.

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Potential of Montserrat’s Geothermal Resources Explored

News

Plans to develop the island’s geothermal resources could play a key role in reducing reliance on Budget Aid. That’s according to Premier, the Honourable Reuben T Meade. Premier Meade said the focus on geothermal development looks beyond the generation of electricity for local consumption, but also as a means of creating new economic opportunities that could strengthen the island’s economy.

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Office of the Auditor General Completes Review of Customs Trade Facilitation on Montserrat

News

Auditor General Marsha Meade has announced that her office has completed a review of Customs Trade Facilitation on Montserrat. The report, which was presented to the Legislative Assembly on March 03rd, assessed the internal staffing, resources, and processes of the Customs Division as well as frontline procedures, facilities, and Customs Division’s relations with stakeholders affecting imports, exports, and international travel to and from Montserrat. Ms. Meade says there were key findings in the report covering several areas, such as searches of goods and services and the use of Information Technology. Ms. Meade says the Office of the Auditor General is recommending the return of the customs Canine Unit.

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Montserrat Ministry of Health Continues Quest to Improve Healthcare Delivery

Health, News

The Ministry of Health is continuing its quest to improve healthcare delivery on the island. Minister, Dr. the Honourable Ingrid Buffonge has announced that the UK government has approved the provision of an emergency medicine consultant. Dr. Buffonge explains that the quality of care will improve significantly with this specialist onboard. Dr. Buffonge says the government is also working on increasing the number of doctors at the Casualty Department. Dr. Buffonge was speaking at a recent town hall meeting organized by the United Alliance party.

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Government of Montserrat Begins Review of Public Service Compensation Framework

News

The Government of Montserrat (GoM) has commenced a comprehensive review of the Public Service Compensation Framework. Ernst & Young Consultancy Ltd. (EY) has been engaged to undertake this important initiative.The Compensation Review aims to modernize pay, grading, and related reward arrangements across the Public Service. The objective is to ensure that our system is fair, transparent, sustainable, and aligned with fiscal realities and strategic priorities of GOM. It is anticipated that the review will also support efforts to attract, retain, and motivate talented public officers while addressing inequities within the current system. Scope of the ReviewThe review will focus on: Stakeholder EngagementStakeholder engagement is central to the success of this review. Public Servants will have opportunities to provide input on key issues, including pay equity, recruitment and retention challenges, grading arrangements, and allowances. The feedback gathered will help inform the recommendations and ensure that the proposed framework reflects the realities of the Public Service. A stakeholder forum will be established where volunteers across all levels are invited to contribute by reviewing outputs of the review to shape the final report. In some instances, Officers will be invited to participate in one-on-one interviews with the EY Consultants as part of the review process. Your cooperation and candid input are highly valued, as the outcomes of this exercise will have implications for the entire Public Service. Let’s work together to help shape a compensation system that is fit for purpose, and works to promote fairness, equity and is sustainable for the future.

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UK-MONTSERRAT BUDGET SUPPORT MISSION 2026 GETS UNDERWAY

News

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MOFEM), in partnership with the Governor’s Office, announces the commencement of the annual Budget Support Mission (BSM) from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th February 2026. The mission brings together a team from the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the Government of Montserrat (GoM) for a structured week of strategic engagement focused on Montserrat’s development priorities for the next three financial years. Purpose of the MissionThe Budget Support Mission is an annual engagement between the FCDO and the Government of Montserrat that provides an important opportunity for GoM to present its plans, priorities, opportunities and challenges across the 2026/27 to 2028/29 spending period. It is important to note that this is not a budgetary negotiation. Rather, it is a platform for strategic dialogue — enabling GoM to articulate its vision for Montserrat’s sustainable development and for both governments to align on shared objectives. The mission supports the UK Government’s commitment to meeting its obligations to the people of Montserrat. The UK currently supports nearly 70% of the island’s recurrent budget, and this mission is a vital part of ensuring that support is targeted, impactful and responsive to Montserrat’s evolving needs. Key Areas of DiscussionOver the course of the week, GoM ministers, officials and FCDO representatives will hold in-depth discussions across a broad range of policy areas, including: The mission will also include site visits to key infrastructure projects, including the Montserrat Port, the national hospital site, the Airport Control Tower, and the proposed solar site at Shinlands. Closing Press ConferenceThe mission will culminate in a Press Conference on Friday, 27th February 2026, broadcast live on ZJB Radio and streamed on the Spirit of Montserrat Facebook page at 8:00AM. The press conference will feature Mr Nicholas Wareham, Deputy Director of the Overseas Territories & Polar Regions Directorate at FCDO; the Honourable Premier, Reuben T. Meade; and Her Excellency the Governor, Ms Harriet Cross, and will provide an opportunity for the public to hear directly about the outcomes of the week’s discussions.

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Minister Unsatissfied with Progress on Montserrat Port Project

News

The Minister for Buildings, Utilities, Infrastructure, Labour, Transportation, and Ecclesiastical Affairs (BUILTE) has expressed dissatisfaction with progress on the Montserrat Port Project. Speaking on the “What’s on Your Mind” radio programme on Thursday, Honourable Veronica Dorsette-Hector explained the challenges that are being faced. She also sought to reassure the public that the government and supporting agencies continue to monitor and assess work on the project. Honourable Hector revealed that discussions are taking place on the future of the project.

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Independent Review Targets Hospital Safety and Workforce Training

Health, News

Safety and training in the healthcare sector in Montserrat came into sharp focus early Thursday, with the visiting team from the UK National Health Service (NHS) on island conducting an independent review of the system. Speaking on the “What’s on Your Mind” radio programme, Montserratian Clinical Specialist Sonographer Sonia Charles tasked the UK team to look closely at these areas. The ministry of health here has invited Ambassador for the British Overseas Territories, Professor Ian Cumming, and a team of experts from the NHS, to undertake an independent review of Montserrat’s health care system to come up with thoughts and recommendations in terms of priorities for moving forward. Ms Charles started the conversation with safety at the hospital where the UK team can look at safety concerns with radiology, mammograms and CITI -Scans, where radiation cold pose a risk to the population and patients.

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