Former Government Minister defends PDM Decision on Port

Former Minister of Communications and Works Paul Lewis is defending the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) government’s decision to proceed with the Port Project despite funding inadequacies.

The Honourable Paul Lewis, who is now Leader of the Opposition says it was always the PDM’s intention to construct the port in phases.

Mr. Lewis was responding to questions about the project following a status update that was given by newly elected Minister responsible for Communications and Works Dr. Samuel Joseph.

Dr. Joseph on Friday December 6th 2019, informed the public that due to inadequate funding, the government now has to scale back its designs suggesting that Montserrat may not receive the Breakwater and Berthing Facility that has been advertised by the previous administration.

The project that was proposed during the former administration was a breakwater of approximately 240-300 meters in length that would be able to accommodate medium sized cruise ships with the capacity of up to 400 passengers.

In the first in his facebook series “From the Minister’s Office”, the Honourable Samuel Joseph revealed that upon taking office he discovered that following the submission of the port designs, a decision was made to cost the project. The costing revealed that the budget was inadequate to construct the port.