Government

Implementing a general fuel subsidy is not an option for the government of Montserrat. This was reaffirmed by Minister for Agriculture, et. al. Hon. John P. Osborne. He was speaking on the What’s on Your Mind radio programme on Thursday. Pointing to other islands in the region, minister Osborne explained that Montserrat’s budget cannot support such a large scale subsidy, adding that the island cannot go into debt. Minister Osborne also noted that the rise in fuel prices already affects the government, which is seeing a deficit from its fuel expenditure.

The Government of Montserrat is reviewing aircraft suitability for the island. The reassurance was from Deputy Premier the Honourable Veronica Dorsette Hector, who was at the time responding to a resolution by Member of the Opposition Donaldson Romeo on safety concerns associated with the Britain Norman BN-2 islander aircraft. The Minister for BUILT-E said she was aware of the concerns but Montserrat has a short runway, and the introduction of the Runway End Safety Area (RESA) in 2026 has affected the usable runaway distance. She explained the work already being done to examine the different types of aircraft suitable for the John A Osborne Airport.

The Office of the Deputy Governor has officially launched Public Service Celebration Activities 2026, with this year’s observation taking place under the theme “Public Service with Purpose: Serving Today, Shaping Tomorrow.” The activities will run from June through October and are designed to recognize and celebrate the dedication, professionalism and contributions of public officers across the Government of Montserrat. The programme will begin during Public Service Week with an official launch on June 23, featured remarks from Deputy Governor, Honourable Lindorna Lambert-Sweeney, who will also undertake visits to ministries and departments over the coming months to engage with staff and learn more about their work and achievements. A range of activities has been planned to promote wellness, professional development, teamwork and public service excellence. These include a Public Service Trivia Challenge, a Fitness Video Challenge, a Ministry Video Showcase and a Jingle Competition aimed at highlighting the values of the public service. Public officers will also be encouraged to participate in wellness-focused initiatives, including health screenings, a Sneaker, Jeans and Water Day, and a series of “Talking Health” radio programmes addressing topics such as mental health, stress management and work-life balance. Additional activities include monthly Lunch and Learn sessions, a debate and panel discussion on the future of the public service, a community engagement project with the Lookout Warden Assisted Senior Citizens Home (LOWSA), a Public Service Sports Day and a Civil Servants Recognition Event to honour outstanding officers and unsung heroes. The Office of the Deputy Governor is encouraging public officers to take part in the various activities, noting that the celebration provides an opportunity to recognize achievements, strengthen relationships across ministries and departments, and reflect on ways to continue building a modern, responsive and citizen-focused public service.

Acting Director of the Public Works Department (PWD), Felix Persaud, says the department remains actively engaged in preparations to help protect critical infrastructure during the 2026 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Providing an update during the Disaster Management Coordination Agency’s National Hurricane Conference last week, Persaud said PWD will continue maintaining the island’s water and drainage systems, with particular attention being paid to ghauts and waterways to reduce the risk of flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Persaud also pointed to government investments in hurricane resilience measures, including the installation of permanent hurricane shutters on public buildings such as the ZJB Radio Montserrat facility.   The acting director also highlighted the recent reopening of Belham Bridge after more than 30 years, noting that PWD, in collaboration with the DMCA and Montserrat Volcano Observatory, will continue monitoring the bridge, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

Premier, the Honourable Reuben T. Meade says economic growth must remain the foundation of any successful population retention and growth strategy for Montserrat. Speaking on the Breakfast Show on Thursday, the premier addressed questions about government’s approach to increasing the island’s population, explaining that he does not believe population growth should be achieved simply by encouraging people to move to Montserrat without first creating opportunities for them. According to the premier, as Montserrat’s economy expands and new opportunities emerge, people will be drawn to the island to fill available jobs and contribute to its development, supporting long-term population growth in a sustainable manner.

The Montserrat Business and Professional Fund (MBPF) Soft Loan Programme has fully deployed its initial 2 million EC Dollar fund allocation, providing financing to dozens of local entrepreneurs and businesses across the island. According to information released by the Government of Montserrat, the programme received 60 applications spanning 11 sectors of the economy and approved 39 loans valued at approximately 1.95 million EC Dollars, representing more than 97 per cent of the available funding. The loans have supported businesses operating in agriculture, fisheries, tourism, retail, construction, information technology, consultancy services, agro-processing and other sectors. A reported 19 loans remain active and are being repaid on schedule, with no defaults or arrears recorded to date. Premier the Honourable Reuben T. Meade described the programme as an investment in local people and businesses, noting that affordable access to capital has helped entrepreneurs, farmers, fishers and small business owners strengthen and expand their operations. He also confirmed that the government is actively seeking additional funding to replenish and expand the programme so that more applicants can benefit in the future. Programme Manager Dr. Gary Morton said the strong performance of the initiative reflects both careful administration and the commitment of borrowers. He highlighted the wide range of businesses that have received support, including fishers upgrading vessels, farmers expanding production and tourism operators increasing capacity. Chairman of the MBPF Soft Loan Committee, Jerson Badal, said the committee has worked to ensure all applications were carefully reviewed while helping applicants strengthen proposals where necessary. He added that entrepreneurs across several sectors have demonstrated what can be achieved when adequate financial support is made available. The MBPF Soft Loan Programme was established to provide affordable financing to Montserratian entrepreneurs and small businesses. Loans are offered at an annual interest rate of 2.5 per cent for terms of up to 96 months and are intended to support productive investments and business growth. The Government of Montserrat say efforts are now underway to secure additional funding from regional development partners, international financial institutions and local resources to allow the programme to continue supporting economic development and private sector growth on Montserrat.