Victoria Chalmers - ZJB Radio

Ferry Service Between Montserrat and Antigua Expected to Start Next week

The reinstatement of the long-awaited ferry service between Montserrat and Antigua is closer to becoming reality. Premier the Honourable Rueben T Meade, has revealed that a new passenger vessel could begin operations as early as December 5. Speaking at the Montserrat Diaspora Leadership Conference, in the UK on Sunday, Premier Meade said the vessel will not only serve the Montserrat–Antigua route but is expected to operate as part of a wider sub-regional service. In a social media post, the Access Division announced that the round trip fare would be EC$510.00., pending certification of the vessel. The Montserrat Diaspora Leadership Conference was held under the theme “ One Montserrat: Building Connections, Shaping the Future.”

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Minister Calls for Greater Appreciation and Support for All Men in Montserrat on International Men’s Day 2025

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In recognition of International Men’s Day 2025, there has been a renewed call here for greater appreciation and support for all men in the Montserrat society. In a radio message under the theme “Celebrating Men and Boys”, Acting Minister for Health, Honourable Dwayne Hixon, said men and boys play vital roles in families, communities, and the nation at large. Honourable Hixon said men and boys are faced with unique challenges and should be afforded the same respect, empathy, and support as anyone else. International Men’s day is celebrated on November 19th annually to bring global awareness for many issues that men face, including abuse, homelessness, suicide, and violence. A special community event has been organized for November 21st, from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Little Bay Basketball Stadium. The event aims to serve as an engaging platform for discussions on topics such as positive role models, managing finances, worklife balance, spiritual and sexual health, and mental health.

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Montserrat Government UK Office to Host Inaugural Montserrat Diaspora Leadership Conference

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The Montserrat Government UK Office (MGUKO) will host the first Montserrat Diaspora Leadership Conference on Sunday, 23 November 2025, in Victoria, London. The conference will be held under the theme, “One Montserrat: Building Connections, Shaping the Future.” The event will bring together diaspora leaders, professionals, and community organisations from across the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada, and the wider Montserratian diaspora, alongside senior government officials from Montserrat. It will provide a platform to strengthen collaboration, enhance diaspora participation in national development, and shape the future of Montserrat’s engagement with its global community. The Montserrat Government delegation will include Premier Hon. Reuben T. Meade, the Financial Secretary, Hon. Kenya Lee, and the Parliamentary Secretary, Hon. Crenston Buffonge who will engage with diaspora representatives, investors, and development partners throughout the programme. Diaspora organisations and professionals of Montserratian heritage from across the world have been invited to participate, including the Montserrat Progressive Society of New York, Emerald United Club, the Montserrat Association Toronto, the Montserrat Overseas Peoples’ Progressive Association (MOPPA), Village664, and the One Montserrat Foundation. The conference will explore development updates from the Government of Montserrat, the role of the diaspora in national development, and the strategic contribution of the Montserrat Government UK Office in advancing this shared agenda. Speaking about the conference, Premier the Hon. Reuben T. Meade said, the One Montserrat project is about all of us working together toward a shared goal, and the diaspora has a vital role in this. He added that by strengthening these connections, we can shape a stronger future for Montserrat. Head of the Montserrat Government UK Office, Kei-Retta Farrell said, the conference reflects their continued commitment to strengthening relationships with the diaspora and creating practical pathways for collaboration. She continued, through shared dialogue, innovation, and partnership, we can unlock the full potential of Montserrat’s global community, contributing meaningfully to the island’s growth and future resilience. Taking place at the start of the UK–Overseas Territories Joint Ministerial Council (JMC) week, the event precedes a series of bilateral and multilateral meetings between the Montserrat delegation and the UK Government, focusing among other things on investment, infrastructure, energy, climate resilience, and governance.

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Government of Montserrat Reviews Housing Allocation Criteria

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The Government of Montserrat has undertaken a review of the Housing Allocation Criteria. Minister with responsibility for Housing, Honourable John Patrick Osborne announced in Parliament that the revision of the allocation criteria for various housing programs has been drafted and is soon ready for submission to Cabinet. He says under these new allocation criteria, persons who are first-time homeowners and the most vulnerable, especially the elderly, will be prioritized. Mr. Osborne says the ministry, working with the Department of Housing, has been trying its very best to help vulnerable persons, especially those who are retired, incapacitated due to a disability or other ailment, and making sure that citizens, despite conditions, can live in decent housing. He is hoping the FCDO will support the government’s new spend requests for social housing programs going forward, as housing is a pivotal need in breaking the economic slump that Montserrat found itself in over the past 30 years.

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ECCB Holds Stakeholder Meetings on Montserrat on Eastern Caribbean Financial Standards Board

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The creation of the Eastern Caribbean Financial Standards Board (ECFSB) marks a major step toward strengthening regulation of the non-bank financial sector across the currency union, including Montserrat. That’s the word from ECCB Senior Policy Specialist, Shawn Williams, who joined officials visiting Montserrat last week. He said the new body will introduce uniform regulatory standards designed to protect consumers and safeguard the region’s financial stability. During discussions with stakeholders on island, Mr. Williams explained that the Board will introduce consistent standards in key areas such as capital adequacy, liquidity, and asset quality. These standards ensure that institutions operating within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU) have the financial strength to withstand economic shocks and absorb potential losses. The Board will also enhance coordination by bringing together national regulators and the ECCB under a more unified oversight framework. This collaboration is expected to improve monitoring, early detection of risks, and overall resilience of the financial system.

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Toastmaster Vera Fenton Wins MNI Speakers Club In-Person Speaking Contests

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Toastmaster Vera Fenton emerged victorious at the first in-person speech contests from the MNI Speakers Club. The two contests were held on Saturday, 15th November at the Look Out Primary School Auditorium. Members competed in two categories: the Table Topics Contest, which tests impromptu speaking skills, and the International Speech Contest, the category that ultimately crowns the World Champion of Public Speaking. Competing were Toastmasters Vera Fenton, Edris Wade, Romilly Murrain, and Milykhia McKenzie-Weekes. Following these wins, Toastmaster Fenton will now represent MNI Speakers Club at the Area 24 Contest on February 9th, 2026, in Antigua, competing against clubs across the Area. The MNI Speakers Club congratulates all contestants and thanks the community for its continued support.

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The Montserrat Secondary School Observes Literacy Week with Creative Activities

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The Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) joined the Ministry of Education’s island-wide observance of Literacy Week held from November 11 to 14. The School marked the week with creative, and student-centered activities, beginning with a word scramble challenge on November 11. They also joined the primary-level “Reading Across Montserrat” initiative by encouraging both students and teachers to wear T-shirts displaying positive and uplifting messages. Vice Principal of the School Hyacinth Bramble-Browne credited the school’s student leadership team, for organizing such successful and interactive activities. Nine students were recognized for the creativity and impact of the messages on their shirts and were named winners of the T-shirt competition. The selected students – Khaeel Wade, Faith Mendes, Travick Baker, Micheal Chambers, Khassidy Wade, Khadesha Greenaway, Ocean Forrester, Rheyes Esprit, and Renesha Kidd.

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Royal Montserrat Police Service Implements Critical Measures to Improve Public Safety and Emergency Response

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Work is being done to ramp up public safety and emergency response. Commissioner of Police Mark Payne told ZJB News they are improving the capabilities of the police, fire, and disaster management teams with new equipment and comprehensive training programs. Commissioner Payne says these initiatives are part of a broader commitment to modernizing the island’s emergency services, ensuring residents have faster, safer, and more effective protection in all situations.

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Promising Possibilities Reported from a Recent Montserrat Marketing Trip to St. Maarten

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A recent marketing trip to St. Maarten has opened up several possibilities for mutual collaboration between Montserrat and Phillipsburg. So says Premier, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade. He was accompanied to St. Maarten by senior officers from the office of the premier. Speaking during a press briefing on radio Montserrat Monday afternoon, the leader of government business lamented the positives from the visit which started out with an interview on the renowned PJD2 1300AM. Premier Meade said the trip was about strengthening access, improving travel reliability, expanding options for visitors and residents, supporting tourism, business, and emergency mobility. He gave a rundown of the engagements while in Phillipsburg. Premier Meade spoke also of a Saturday evening Sunset shoreline cruise which again brought into focus other possibilities.

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Minor Oil Spill in Carr’s Bay Swiftly Contained

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Delta Petroleum Ltd has confirmed that a minor oil spill, which occurred during a routine fuel transfer at its Carr’s Bay facility on Wednesday afternoon, was quickly brought under control. Around 1:14 p.m., members of the community observed what appeared to be a small spill along the shoreline, approximately 200 feet from the tanker. Local Delta manager Roselyn Cassell-Sealy said the incident was not serious and was swiftly managed. She explained that the spill did not come from the tanker itself but from a hose used to transfer fuel to the facility. She said the rate of the pumping affected the hose, which resulted in a small leak that allowed some product to escape. She said once the issue was detected, the tanker’s crew immediately contacted the plant, who then went out on the pilot boat with the Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA) and assessed the situation. Mrs Cassell-Sealy said that operating together, both entities were able to slow the pumping rate, which stopped the leak immediately. After stabilizing the situation, Delta was able to safely complete the delivery. Cassell-Sealy confirmed that only a small amount of fuel reached the sea and that it dispersed naturally with the movement of the water. She also expressed gratitude for the community’s alertness and cooperation adding that it really shows what happens when the community looks after one another. Operations at the Carr’s Bay facility have since returned to normal.

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