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The Government of Montserrat is making a major move toward energy independence with the launch of the Transmission and Distribution Network Resilience Building Project. The project, forms part of the 5.9 million pound Green Energy Transition Programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). It is executed by the Department of Energy within the Ministry of Buildings, Utilities, Infrastructure, Labour, Transportation and Ecclesiastical Affairs (BUILT-E) in collaboration with Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL). Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Colin Fergus, told ZJB News that the project will strengthen the resilience of the electricity network. The Transmission and Distribution Network Resilience Building project runs alongside the Water and Waste Water project. This will see more than two kilometres of electrical infrastructure placed underground, and the replacement of aging water pipelines. Manager of the Water Division, Kenaud Ryan, and before him, manager of the Electrical Division, Kendall Lee

The Government of Montserrat is moving forward with the Margarita Bay Wastewater Project, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at replacing the aging sewage treatment system in Lookout. As part of the project, the new facility will see extensive site development works such as land clearing, construction of access roads, storm drainage systems, underground utilities, lift stations, sludge drying beds, and operational buildings. In an interview with ZJB News, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Building, Utilities, Infrastructure, Labour, transportation & Ecclesiastical Affairs (BUILTE) Colin Fergus says the project is crucial in ensuring sustainable wastewater management for the island while safeguarding environmental health. The Ilse company and Hydrolia Water Solutions, the contracted consultants for the project, will work with the Government of Montserrat and the Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) to ensure its successful completion. Environmental Engineer at Hydrolia, Liz Arango Miu-noz, in outlining the details of the new system, say the facility will use a multi-stage treatment process, which is designed to improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Civil Engineer with Hydrolia Alonso Salas says the new facility is being designed to handle both current needs and future population growth on Montserrat. Meantime, Managing Director of Montserrat Utilities Limited Julian Daniel reiterated the importance of the project and long term role it will play in supporting the future development of Montserrat. Daniel highlighted the potential reuse of treated by-products.

Construction is underway on new water reservoirs aimed at significantly increasing water storage capacity and supply resilience for the northern parts of the island. As part of the project, new fused glass Water Tanks will be fashioned in Dick Hill, Sweeney’s, Lawyers Mountain and Hope springs. The upgrades are intended to address long-standing capacity challenges that emerged following population shifts to the north of the island after the volcanic eruption. Work at the Dick Hill site has already begun, with land clearing completed and foundation works scheduled to start shortly. Similar works are happening at the Sweeney’s site. In conversation with ZJB News, Managing Director of the Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) Julian Daniel said a rapid construction method known as a jacking system will be used to assemble the tank walls, allowing the structure to be built efficiently by raising sections into place as construction progresses. ZJB’s team, accompanied Premier, Honourable Reuben T Meade, Deputy Governor Honourable Lyndorna Sweeney and Government Public Relations Officer Jenzil Skerritt to a site visit of the area last Friday. Premier Meade has welcomed the start of the project. He say the improvements will support tourism growth by strengthening essential services which he says are critical to visitor experiences The project is expected to be completed by March 31st. 2026.

A government project to improve traffic movement around the Cars Bay junction, is well underway. The Carr’s Bay realignment project includes redesigning the intersection, colloquially known as “Murphy’s Corner” into a T-junction to allow smoother traffic flow, especially for vehicles traveling between the south and north routes. ZJB’s team, accompanied Premier, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade, Deputy Governor, Honourable Lyndorna Sweeney, and Government Public Relations Officer Jenzil Skerritt on a site visit of the area on Friday. Assistant Civil Engineer within the Ministry of Building, Utilities, Infrastructure, Labour, transportation & Ecclesiastical Affairs (BUILTE) Glenroy Foster said a key feature of the plan is the addition of a third stopping lane for vehicles traveling from the Davy Hill side toward Cars Bay. While giving an update on the current stage of the project, Foster said the team has gone 75 percent of the way in breaking down the embankment. Meantime, Premier Honourable Rueben T Meade said the ongoing project will not only improve traffic safety but also create new opportunities for commercial activity in the Little Bay area. He said once road works are completed and the area is cleared, additional land will become available that will open possibilities for future commercial development within the area.