News - ZJB Radio

Government of Montserrat Moves Closer to Securing a Ferry Service

The Government of Montserrat has taken another major step to secure a new passenger ferry service for the island. On Tuesday, the government opened tender for operators to provide ferry and cargo services to the island for a six-month period, from December 1st 2026 to May 31st 2027. Under the proposed arrangement, the primary service would operate between Montserrat and Antigua five to six days per week, while a secondary Montserrat-Nevis service would operate one to two days per week. The tender also provides for special voyages between Montserrat and either St. Maarten or Guadeloupe. According to the tender document, the selected operator is required to provide a fully crewed vessel and handle both passenger and cargo operations. The service provider is also responsible for fuel, agency facilitation, port charges and docking fees, while retaining passenger ticketing and cargo revenue. The tender document specifies that the proposed vessel must have a minimum certified capacity of 100 passengers, a service speed of at least 18 knots and be suitable for open-sea operations. The procurement is being conducted under the Public Procurement Act and Regulations 2025. The deadline for companies interested in providing the service to submit their tenders is Tuesday, October 27th at midday.

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Caribbean Development Bank Offers Scholarship in Public Procurement, Montserratians Encouraged to Apply

Finance, Government, News

The opportunity exists for persons here to access world-class training in public procurement through the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB’s) scholarship programme. The Bank is currently accepting applications for two fully funded scholarships to pursue an International Masters programme in Public Procurement Management at the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy for the 2026/2027 academic year. These scholarships are open to applicants from the Bank’s nineteen Borrowing Member Countries, including Montserrat. Speaking about the scholarship, Head of Procurement at the Government Procurement Services, Alfredo Landaeta told ZJB News that procurement is an area the government is looking to expand. Explaining the benefits of the scholarship, he stated that “there are very few professionals that can do public procurement, [which] is something that government is actually looking for people to enter into. So, Monserrate is one of those countries. We currently have two vacant positions which we hope to advertise very soon and I will encourage local Monserratians to come and apply….to work with us. I would love that. Landaeta announced that the Caribbean Development Bank is sponsoring a Master Degree in Italy and they “will actually have all expenses paid to Italy, plus the tuition, plus accommodation and they will have a living allowance for meals and so forth. If you need a visa for Italy, then the CDB will also actually help you to go to a country in the Caribbean where the Italian embassy or consulate is there and you can apply for a visa.” He is encouraging “anyone to visit the Caribbean Development Bank webpage, look for the Master’s Degree, the scholarship, and apply for it.” .

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Veta Wade Featured in Women in Caribbean Tourism Leadership Magazine.

Environment, News, Tourism

Ocean researcher and conservationist Veta Wade has been featured in the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s From the Sea Suite, Women in Caribbean Tourism Leadership Magazine. The 2025 publication, dedicated to celebrating female leadership in the vital tourism industry, highlights the Fish ‘N Fins founder’s work to place local communities at the centre of ocean conservation. Wade, has spent more than a decade working to strengthen community involvement in marine conservation in Montserrat and beyond. Her work includes using scientific research, technology and education to help communities better understand and protect their marine environment. Speaking to ZJB News Ms. Wade expressed her feelings about the feature saying, “it feels like recognition of something that I’ve been trying to build here. Not trying, but building here from Montserrat for years. My own path in ocean research, stewardship and the blue economy, it’s seen…across the region and now it’s recognized within the Caribbean Tourism Authority. For me, there is also something deeply personal about being supported by another black Caribbean woman who sees the value in your work and chooses to make space for it. She says the recognition is “really for local people having this space to lead and to create and to earn and care for the places that we call home and we love the most. And this feature, for that reason, feels so much more than recognition. It’s a reminder of what becomes possible when we support each other. And I’m proud, so proud, that Montserrat is doing this in its own small way and it’s doing so in a very tangible way too.” Fish ’N Fins describes its mission as advancing community-based marine conservation while strengthening local capacity and creating opportunities for communities to contribute to global ocean knowledge.

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GROWING INTEREST IN TOUR GUIDE AND TAXI OPERATOR TRAINING AS 45 PERSONS GAIN CERTIFICATION

News, Tourism

The Montserrat Tourism Authority (MTA) has successfully concluded its 2026 Tour Guide and Taxi Operator Certification Training, with 45 newly certified tour guides and taxi operators now equipped with the skills, knowledge and the confidence needed to deliver safe, engaging and memorable experiences to visitors. Held from Monday, September 7 to Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the DMCA Conference Room and the Brades Arts and Education Centre, the intensive programme brought together participants from diverse backgrounds who share an interest in tourism and a commitment to improving Montserrat’s visitor experience. The training covered a broad range of topics essential to professional tourism delivery, including: The programme moved beyond the classroom with a practical simulation exercise that took participants from Marine Village in Little Bay to St. George’s Hill and Plymouth, Montserrat’s famous “Buried City.” The exercise afforded participants the chance to practice their newly acquired skills as they navigated the actual tour route, interpreted Montserrat’s volcanic landscape and history, and engaged with each other as they would with actual visitors. For many participants, the exercise provided an opportunity to see the island through the eyes of a visitor and to appreciate the responsibility that comes with telling Montserrat’s story. Speaking about the importance of the programme, Mrs. Nicole Fagan, Product Development Officer at the Montserrat Tourism Authority, said: “Our tour guides and taxi operators are much more than the people who take visitors from one place to another. They are the voice, the storytellers and, in many cases, the first personal connection visitors have with Montserrat. A certified guide has the responsibility of telling our stories accurately, sharing our culture with pride, keeping visitors safe, and helping them to understand what makes Montserrat truly special.” “When a visitor leaves Montserrat remembering the warmth of our people, the exciting stories they heard, the places they discovered, and the experiences they had, our guides would have played an important part in creating that memory. Certification is therefore not simply about receiving a certificate; it is about professionalism, responsibility, continuous learning, and representing Montserrat to the highest standard,” she added. The certification programme forms part of the Montserrat Tourism Authority’s continued commitment to raising service standards, strengthening professionalism anddeveloping a high-quality visitor experience across the island’s tourism sector. With the 2026 cruise season scheduled to begin on Sunday, October 11th, the newly certified professionals will play an important role in welcoming cruise passengers and other visitors and ensuring that their time on Montserrat is safe, informative, and memorable. The Montserrat Tourism Authority proudly congratulates all 45 newly certified Tour Guides and Taxi Operators and welcomes them to an important community of tourism ambassadors.

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Secondary and College Students Given Opportunity to Learn about Investments

Education, News

Students in Montserrat have an opportunity to gain practical experience in investing through the 4th Annual Regional Schools Investment Competition. The competition, organized by the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE) is open to students from Form 3 through Form 5, as well as first-year Sixth Form and college students. Students will work in teams of four to six and compete against schools from across the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union. Each team will be given a notional EC$50,000 investment portfolio and will be required to make decisions on buying and selling shares with the aim of increasing the value of their portfolio. Participants will also receive information on companies, including share prices, financial performance and business strategies, while daily market news will require them to assess information that could influence their investment decisions. The competition is designed to give students firsthand experience of securities market activity while developing their knowledge and skills in investing. Students will also be required to keep trade notes explaining the reasons behind their investment decisions and produce a video presentation outlining their strategy. A virtual competition briefing will follow on October 8th, ahead of the investment competition. The top-performing team will be named Regional Champion, with the winning school receiving EC$6,500 and each student receiving an investment prize valued at EC$540. Students and teachers will also receive certificates and other prizes, while additional awards will be presented for video presentations. The competition is expected to include schools from all eight ECCU member countries. More details on the competition can be found on the ECSE’s website.

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Ministry of Agriculture Strengthens Water Access for Farmers in Blakes Estate

Government, News

The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing, Environment and Youth has completed the installation of an essential water storage and distribution system in Blakes Estate, providing much-needed support to approximately 20 farmers operating in the area. The intervention is part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to address key factors of production and create the conditions necessary for farmers to increase and sustain agricultural output across Montserrat. The newly established system includes five 1,000-gallon water storage tanks, connected through a distribution network designed to provide farmers with improved access to water. The system is also supported by dams in the surrounding area, strengthening the overall water supply infrastructure for agricultural production. Speaking about the intervention, farmer Clovis Esberry welcomed the Ministry’s investment. He said that reliable access to water will make a significant difference for farmers and will allow them to produce crops more consistently. The project was coordinated by Ministry of Agriculture Project Coordinator Joseph Espirit, who, together with two of the Ministry’s skilled young team members, Chase and Oswald, worked diligently to install and establish the storage and distribution system. The installation represents a practical investment in Montserrat’s agricultural infrastructure, particularly as farmers continue to face challenges associated with reliable water availability. Minister responsible for Agriculture, Lands, Housing, Environment and Youth, Hon. John Osborne, said the water distribution project forms part of a wider commitment by the Ministry and the UA administration to increase the factors of production available to local farmers. The Minister and his team have been advancing initiatives aimed at improving farmers’ access to financial support through the Small Business Loan (SBL) programme, as well as access to arable lands at Silver Hills, Mongo Hill and Waterworks Estate, with Groves Estate expected to be added to the available agricultural lands. With the addition of improved water access at Blakes Estate, the Ministry is continuing to build the infrastructure needed to support farmers from land preparation through to production. Minister Osborne said these investments are intended to move Montserrat closer to increased domestic food production and greater access to locally grown produce. “We are continuing to put the necessary factors of production in place — access to land, access to financing and now improved access to water — so that our farmers can produce more. The goal is simple: to increase our agricultural production so that we can all eat fresher food.” The Ministry of Agriculture will continue to work with farmers and other stakeholders to identify practical interventions that can strengthen agricultural production, improve food security and create greater opportunities for Montserrat’s farming community.

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MUL Staff Receives Training in Emergency Preparedness & Planning

News

Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) hosted a comprehensive 2-day Response Program Training Session earlier this week. The September 14th and 15th sessions were facilitated by Garth Vincent, Lead Emergency Response Consultant for the Development of Disaster Preparedness Business Continuity Plans (DPBCP) and Emergency Response Plans (ERP), and supported by Ms. Shamila Ragoobir, consultant representative from the Caribbean Water Utilities Insurance Collective (CWUIC). Members from the MUL’s Water Division, Electricity Division, and Finance & Accounts Department, alongside external Partners such as the Montserrat Disaster Management Coordination Agency (DMCA), Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO), Montserrat Red Cross, Montserrat Port Authority (MPA), and the Department of Environmental Health, attended the workshop. It focused on emergency preparedness & planning, streamlined coordination, damage assessment & resource mobilization, agreements & safety protocols and business Continuity. The workshop aimed to enhance the team’s ability to develop robust emergency preparedness and disaster response plans, and improve communication channels and coordination among utilities and CWUIC for efficient pre, during, and post-disaster recovery. It sought to establish structured procedures to analyze damages, and to effectively mobilize, deploy, and coordinate crews and equipment, implement essential frameworks such as Mutual Aid Agreements (MAA) and utilizing emergency response guidebooks for handling hazardous substances safely. The Collaborative event worked on conducting thorough business impact analyses to identify core functions, assess risks, and prioritize recovery stages. MUL said the initiative highlights the unwavering commitment of the organizations coming together to strengthen island-wide preparedness and safeguard the community.

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Montserrat Advances Geothermal Development Following High-Level Meeting with Enogia

Government, News

The Government of Montserrat has taken a further step towards advancing the island’s geothermal energy resources following a productive meeting between the Honourable Premier of Montserrat Reuben T. Meade, and Guillaume Arnaud of Enogia, a French technology company specialising in Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) systems for converting heat into electricity. The meeting focused on the potential development of Montserrat’s geothermal resources and the opportunity to establish an integrated model combining renewable electricity generation with the productive use of geothermal heat, including the potential development of a spa and related thermal applications. Preliminary Technical Work Underway The discussions were supported by preliminary technical work examining the potential application of ORC technology to Montserrat’s MON-1 and MON-2 geothermal wells. Based on preliminary assumptions from 2025 flow-test data, both wells have been modelled with preliminary flow rates. These figures remain subject to further testing and engineering validation. Enogia has experience with geothermal applications in which ORC systems generate electricity while cooling geothermal water for subsequent uses, including geothermal bathing facilities in Japan and Iceland. Modular Approach The technical discussions have also considered a modular architecture in which ORC units could potentially be deployed close to individual wellheads. Such an approach could allow for progressive development, reduced piping and civil-work requirements and greater operational flexibility. An intermediate heat-exchanger loop would also allow the geothermal brine to be isolated from the ORC equipment, with the final configuration to be determined following further technical assessment of geothermal chemistry, scaling, efficiency, maintenance and cost considerations. A Further Step Towards Montserrat’s Geothermal Future Premier Meade welcomed the discussions as an important step in examining how Montserrat can make productive use of its geothermal resources: “Montserrat has a once in a lifetime opportunity to develop its geothermal resources in a way that strengthens energy security, economic development and creates new opportunities for the people of Montserrat. Our discussions with Enogia have helped to advance our understanding of what may be technically possible, and we look forward to continuing that work on the island.” Guillaume Arnaud said: “We were very pleased to meet with Premier Meade and to discuss the potential for geothermal development in Montserrat. The preliminary technical work gives us an interesting basis for further investigation, and we look forward to visiting Montserrat and continuing the discussions with the Government and its technical partners.” The discussions are non-binding and do not constitute a contractual commitment by the Government of Montserrat or Enogia. The Government of Montserrat will continue to assess any future development in accordance with applicable technical, financial, regulatory and procurement requirements.

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A Sharp Decline in Student Enjoyment in School

Education, News

A new student census has found a sharp decline in how much children on island enjoy school as they move from primary into secondary education. The OECS Student Census gathered responses from 555 students across all three primary school and the secondary school on island. The report found that 95.6 percent of Kindergarten to Grade 2 students say they like school. However, that figure falls to 83.2 percent among students in Grades 3 to 6. Among students entering the Montserrat Secondary School, only 40.7 percent of Forms 1 to 3 students say they enjoy going to school. The figure remains low among Forms 4 and 5 students, at 39.4 percent. The report describes the change between primary and secondary school as a “transition cliff,” with school enjoyment falling by 42.5 percentage points. The decline is accompanied by a drop in students’ perception of teacher support and academic confidence. Only 65.7 percent of Forms 1 to 3 students, and 66 percent of Forms 4 to 5 students say their teachers help them when they struggle. The report also raises concerns about students’ sense of belonging. Just 42.6 percent of Forms 4 and 5 students say they feel they belong and are respected at school. While 59.5 percent of senior secondary boys say they feel respected and that they belong, the figure for girls is just 28.8 percent. The report says this is the largest gender difference identified in the census and recommends an immediate inquiry into the experience of senior secondary girls. The full report can be found on www.gov.ms.

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Artificial Intelligence and Technology – the Focus of ICT Week

Government, News

The Department of Information, Technology and E-Government Services, DITES, has set Artificial Intelligence and technology as the focus for this year’s ICT Weeks of celebration. This year’s programme will run for two weeks, from September 28th to October 9th, under the theme, “Empowering Tomorrow: AI for Everyone.” The programme is designed to explore how technology and Artificial Intelligence can help people develop new skills, work more efficiently, create new opportunities and build a more connected Montserrat. The activities will begin with the official launch and an AI practical experience at the Montserrat Cultural Centre on September 28th. An AI for Small Business and Productivity Workshop will also be held from September 28th to October 2nd. This will be followed by a Prompt Engineering and Generative AI Literacy Masterclass from October 5th to 9th. Another activity, Create with AI: Turning Ideas into Content that Sells and Serve, will take place virtually from October 6th to 8th. Weekly AI tips will also be shared online and on ZJB Radio. Throughout the two weeks, there will also be daily radio quizzes on ZJB. The activities are open to students, entrepreneurs, business owners, professionals, public officers and anyone interested in learning more about Artificial Intelligence.

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