Legislative Assembly Approves Additional Government Spending

The Legislative Assembly has approved nearly 600, 000 dollars in additional Government spending.

591,000 were allocated under the Supplementary Appropriations Bill; 5, 000 for sea bird monioring; 219,000 for the A1 road project; 200,000 for PV solar storage and 166, 000 to strengthen the capability of the Ministry of Health to respond to pandemics.

Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment Honourable Crenston Buffonge says the additional funding from the FCDO and the EU supports important projects during the current financial years.                                                          _______________________________________________________________                                                                      With workers feeling the squeeze from the high cost of living, the Leader of the Opposition called on the government to introduce a cost of living allowance for public servants.

Honourable Paul Lewis says this would go some way to easing the burden of the cost of living crisis.

He also suggested that the government should adjust the tax bands to provide some relief for workers in the private sector.

Premier Farrell says his administration has committed to undertaking a review of the current tax regime to find the most feasible way of providing relief without hampering government’s ability to providing critical services and needed social safety nets.

____________________________________________________________________                                                     Montserrat’s acting Governor has issued a call for residents here to be prepared for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on Thursday June 1.

Honouable Lindel Simpson, who is also the island’s Deputy Governor, says residents should remain vigilant despite predictions of a near normal season.

She warns the citizens of Montserrat not to become complacent as it only takes one storm to devastate the island.

The NOAA is predicting 12-17 named storms in total this hurricane season, five to nine of which could become hurricanes, and one to four of which could become major hurricanes.

The forecast for last year’s hurricane season was ‘above-average,’ with some scientists estimating there would be at least 19 named storms and nine hurricanes.

However, the 2022 season ended ‘near-normal,’ with a total of 14 named storms – eight of which became hurricanes and two that turned into intense hurricanes.

Meantime, Premier Honourable Joseph Farrell praised stakeholders, including first responders for their efforts in safeguarding the lives of residents.

In his message, Director at the Disaster Management Agency Lieutenant Colonel Alvin Ryan advised persons to have their hurricane plans in place and to only follow official government information.