Government

Governor Her Excellency Harriet Cross has stressed the importance of safety in Montserrat’s maritime and aviation transport sectors, as the island continues to grapple with access challenges. Addressing the matter in an interview with ZJB News, Governor Cross explained her role in enforcing international regulations, while at the same time recognizing the importance of air and sea transport to Montserrat’s economic development. “I mean as Governor I could probably say, okay I am going to agree that you don’t have to meet those regulations. I think if I did that the UK Department for Transport would overrule me. That is my understanding of what would happen,” the Governor said. Cross does not believe the UK could relax the regulations because ultimately “it has liability for big problems that happen in Montserrat. So either thing that cost a lot of money.” She believed that if “something awful happened…because a ferry didn’t have the appropriate security levels, then ultimately, it’s the UK that pays that fine. Or if some awful air crash happened, the questions would be why didn’t the UK government see that this could happen? So, it would be questions for the UK government. Of course there’d be questions for the government of Montserrat too, but they would ultimately be liable…maybe that’s why I think some people see us, and I include myself in this, as a bit risk averse when it comes to deciding that actually we can be more flexible on international aviation rules.” While recognising the frustration this can create for airlines and passengers, the Governor affirmed that safety requirements are not optional. She explained that the UK Government carries liability for major incidents in Montserrat that has led to the cautious approach taken towards aviation and maritime safety. Commenting on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s role in securing a ferry service for Montserrat, Governor Cross said funding is already provided.

Montserrat has made incredible progress in strengthening trade ties with French neighbours Martinique and Guadeloupe. According to Premier the Hon. Reuben T. Meade, discussions were held recently regarding the trade of sand and aggregate from Montserrat, tourism and access, and other trade opportunities. These talks were held last month during official visits to the French territories. Speaking on the Let’s Talk with United Alliance radio programme, the premier shared more details on the opportunities explored during the visits. “I took about 35 pounds of sand and aggregate, compliments of Jenzil, who packed them. They were very happy, weren’t they? Because they’re having some problems with sand and aggregate. So they plan to now come here using their vessel to be able to do some of that work,” Mr. Meade says. He says a lot of work was done on the tourism side as well. “How do we get people from Guadalupe and Martinique to Montserrat? It’s difficult, but again, as we’ve mentioned to them, there will be a ferry, one way or the other, there is going to be a ferry operating out of Montserrat. And Guadalupe has already said, we’re building a facility on the side which is closer to Montserrat, so that you don’t have to do the long boat ride, because it’s going to take an extra hour from that side to the other side. So, from that point of view, we’re likely as well to be able to get tourists coming from Guadalupe,” the Premier explains. He further explains that Guadeloupe has products which Montserrat “is not producing sufficient of as yet, and I have to say as yet, which we should be able to get. So, like their pineapples, when we can’t get pineapples here, we should be able to get pineapples coming from there, and the ferry would be a very useful addition to that. They also like some of the products which we’re telling them about, and they’re willing to buy from us as well. So it’s not a one-way street.”

The Access Division, Office of the Premier wishes to address the recent circulation of automatedcancellation notifications received by travelers with Winair confirmed bookings for October 2026.Due to an administrative oversight, the booking system was opened for the month of October.As the system identified and flagged this scheduling error, automatic cancellations weretriggered for affected reservations.The Access Division is actively engaging with WINAIR’s Management to resolve the situation,and minimize disruption. The Access Division would like to confirm that flights from Winair willcontinue for the foreseeable future once this issue is resolved.Further updates will be provided as soon as additional details are confirmed.Passengers requiring clarification or assistance regarding their specific travel arrangements areencouraged to contact the Access Division directly: Telephone: 664-491-3378 or 664-392-3600 Email: accessmni@gov.ms

Information and Education Officer at the Montserrat Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA), Shirlian Queeley attended a validation workshop focused on “Building the Next Level Regional Response Mechanism (RRM)”. Hosted by the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), the workshop ran from August 12th to 14th, 2026. It brought together key regional stakeholders to examine how the Caribbean can strengthen its collective capacity to respond to an increasingly complex disaster environment. CDEMA says the development of the Next Level RRM is a priority under its 2022–2027 Strategic Programme. It also supports the wider Comprehensive Disaster Management Strategy and ongoing efforts to strengthen national and regional coordination frameworks. Through the workshop, participants were able to review and validate the proposed future architecture of the RRM, including its strategic direction, operational roadmap, logical framework and monitoring and evaluation approach. The workshop also reinforced the importance of partnerships and collective action, recognising that when countries, institutions and response partners work together with clearly defined roles, established trust and shared systems, regional solidarity can be transformed into operational capability. CDEMA thanked all Participating States, partners and stakeholders who contributed to the three-day validation process.

The upcoming season will see Montserrat welcoming vessels from a number of internationally recognized cruise and luxury expedition brands from October 2026 through April 2027. The MTA says the cruise season creates opportunities for tour operators, taxi operators, restaurants, retailers, artisans and other service providers to engage directly with visitors and benefit from visitor spending. It says cruise calls also provide an important platform for introducing new visitors to Montserrat, with a positive experience potentially encouraging future longer-stay visits and generating further exposure for the destination. The MTA says visitors can engage in a number of experiences that will enable cruise guests to discover Montserrat beyond the port and connect with the destination and its people. Visitors can experience Montserrat through a range of excursions and activities that showcase the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage, including sightseeing, hiking, diving, coastal tours heritage experiences and visits to some of the island’s most distinctive attractions such as the buried city and St. George’s Hill tour. CEO of the MTA Rosetta West-Gerald said the MTA focus is not simply on welcoming visitors to the island, but on ensuring that they leave with a genuine appreciation for our natural environment, our heritage, our culture and, most importantly, our people. The Montserrat Tourism Authority continues to work closely with cruise partners and local tourism stakeholders to strengthen the island’s readiness for the season and ensure that visitors receive a warm and memorable welcome. As part of this ongoing effort, the Authority continues to provide training and development opportunities for tour guides and taxi operators, recognizing their important role as frontline representatives of the destination. Through continued training and capacity building, the Authority is working to ensure that tourism professionals are well equipped to provide knowledgeable, professional and engaging experiences that reflect the quality and character of Montserrat. The Authority also welcomes persons who may be interested in becoming a tour guide or to operate as a vendor during the cruise season to contact the Montserrat Tourism Authority at info@montserrattourism.ms.

Women on Montserrat and around the globe have the opportunity to engage in four days of feminine uplift at the 2026 staging of the Women in Excellence Conference.. Held under the theme “She Knows Her Worth”, the conference is dedicated to empowering women, and focuses on cultivating excellence in all aspects of life. The conference is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Buildings, Utilities, Infrastructure, Labour, Transportation, and Ecclesiastical Affairs (BUILTE) and women in the diaspora. It is scheduled to run from the 20th to 23rd of August at the Brades Arts and Education Center. The conference will be hosted by Reverend Dr. Edris Webbe and will features presenters to include Minister Jaqueline King, Germaine Dublin, and Ayesha Carty. Sessions include: Session 1: Health Forum – Ayesha Carty, Germaine Dublin Session 2: Wills & Probate – Anique Dublin Session 3: Entrepreneurship/Financial Management –Nicola, Anique, Shannon Excellent Women Wrap up: Rev Dr Edris Webbe The full schedule and further information can be found on the website www.womenofexcellence2020.com

A new performance audit report is warning that the Government’s public-service pension system has accumulated over EC $200 million in pension-related liabilities. The report, titled The Government’s Pensions, was presented to the Legislative Assembly on June 30, 2026, and examined the operations of the Pensions Unit within the Office of the Deputy Governor. The Auditor-General found that while government reports annual pension and gratuity payments ranging between EC$10 million and EC$16 million, the actual long-term obligation to current and future pensioners is estimated at more than EC$200 million. The report noted that these costs are not fully reflected in Government’s published financial statements, which continue to operate on a cash-basis accounting system described as outdated and inadequate for capturing the true financial obligation. As this is the present-value estimate (discounted at 5% per year), the report noted that the gross amount of future pension-benefits to current pensioners is a far greater figure which means new pensioners, at higher average salaries and allowances, will continue to add to the Government’s total liabilities for these future pension-related obligations. “We have identified several deficiencies in operations and a large backlog of pension account reconciliations with and reimbursements to other countries over the past 30 years. We found that government’s pensions are non-contributory. The main factor leading to high recurring costs to the public finances is that the past and present employees who will receive 100% of the pension benefits make no contributions,” Ms. Meade reported. She explains that the government as the employer also makes no periodic contributions towards funding of future benefits. It pays 100% of the current pensions as they are disbursed. This arrangement contrasts sharply with the Social Security Fund which operates on a contributory model both for employees and employers, including the Government of Montserrat Public Employees. Ms. Meade noted that a recent decision by cabinet is to “transition to a defined contribution plan. Another approval recently by cabinet is to transfer the government’s pension to the administration of the Social Security Fund in late 2025. This should have taken effect during this fiscal year; however, discussions are still ongoing and implementation is deferred.” She stated that “the audit found that legislators’ pensions are the most generous category. Members of the Legislative Assembly become eligible for a special category of pension benefit after just six years of service as per the Service Act. Generally, we observe that across the types of public pensions, the legislator’s ratio of pension benefit to salary is the highest of all categories of pensions, having regard to the minimum of years of service required.” The report called for the introduction of employee contributions towards government pensions as the most important step towards long-term sustainability. It suggested that such contributions be introduced gradually, similar to previous reforms undertaken by the Social Security Fund between 2022 and 2026, to reduce the impact on employees. The report also recommended that pension contributions be considered for tax deductions, similar to existing deductions available for Social Security contributions. The Auditor-General further recommended improvements to pension budgeting, noting that government should use more accurate forecasting methods to account for increasing numbers of pensioners and periodic pension increases.

The Physical Planning Unit (PPU) has warned that planning permission must be obtained before development or construction can place on the island. The PPU says permission must first come from the Planning and Development Authority, PDA, before any works could begin. The unit says it has observed an increasing number of persons and agencies undertaking construction without the required planning approval. It cautions that this trend is a matter of serious concern as unauthorized development can compromise public safety, environmental protection, and the orderly development of Montserrat. Persons who have already received planning approval are required to notify the Physical Planning Unit before commencing construction. This enables the unit to schedule the necessary inspections and ensure that the development proceeds in accordance with the approved plans and conditions.  The PPU warns that commencing development without planning permission constitutes a breach of the Physical Planning Act, and that it will take appropriate enforcement action against unauthorized developments. Such action may include stop notices requiring work to cease immediately, enforcement notices requiring the removal, alteration, or correction of unauthorized works, and prosecution and other penalties provided under the Physical Planning Act. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in significant delays, additional costs, fines, or legal proceedings. The Physical Planning Unit says it is committed to promoting safe, sustainable, and orderly development throughout Montserrat. It therefore asks all property owners, developers, contractors, and public agencies to submit the necessary planning applications and obtain approval before starting any construction project. By working together and following the proper planning process, the Physical Planning Unit says it can ensure that development benefits the entire community while protecting the environment and infrastructure.