The government is slowly drawing down £7 million (EC$24m) in funding from the United Kingdom for the upgrade of Montserrat’s utilities, the infrastructure minister has said.
Veronica Dorsette-Hector told members of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, 21 January, that much of the planned work is either underway or likely to take place during 2025.
She was responding to a question from opposition leader Paul Lewis, who asked if the funding had been received and requested an update on progress to date.
The minister said a memorandum of understanding had been signed with the UK for allocation of the money which will be drawn down in phases to “support the smooth and effective execution of the projects”.
It is being directed toward addressing critical infrastructure challenges across the water, electricity, and sewage systems, aiming to ensure resilience, sustainability, and reliable service delivery, she said.
“The government is making significant progress in building a resilient and sustainable infrastructure for the people of Montserrat,” the minister added.
Water and electricity
One of the key initiatives is the rehabilitation of the water infrastructure, focusing on at least three springs, including Hope Spring.
Significant progress has been made toward improving water quality and increasing output capacity, Dorsett-Hector said.
Pipeline replacements will address critical leaks in Davy Hill, Palm Loop, and Lookout, with construction set to begin in the second quarter of 2025.
Additionally, upgrades and expansion at four reservoir sites, including Lawyers Mountain and Dick Hill, are underway to enhance storage capacity for peak demand and emergencies.
For electricity infrastructure, the overhaul of generator number seven is scheduled for March 2025, with a leased generator providing reliable power during the maintenance period.
Repairs to generator number three are progressing as planned and are expected to be completed by the end of January, the minister said.
Renewable energy and sewage
The solar PV system is currently operational and helping to meet Montserrat’s daytime energy needs. However, work continues to restore the battery energy storage system to full functionality.
Plans for sewage infrastructure improvements include replacing the Lookout sewage treatment plant, Dorsett-Hector said.
In June 2024, former premier Joseph Farrell flagged the 50-year-old plant as a danger to the community and wider island, stressing that it is at risk of collapsing.
Construction is set to begin in the second quarter of 2025 following design approvals and preparatory work.
Upgrades at Jack Boy Hill are already underway, focusing on enhancing sludge handling and reducing pollution risks.
“These projects are pivotal for modernising Montserrat’s utility systems, ensuring that they meet current and future demands by addressing these foundational challenges,” the minister said.
£7 million fund
A group of 14 Royal Engineers from the British Army spent two weeks in Montserrat in April 2024, and provided expert advice on improving the resilience and sustainability of the island’s utility services.
At the end of the month, an FCDO-led team of energy and water experts also visited the island to provide recommendations and support the government on its long-term utilities strategy.
In early May, then deputy premier Samuel Joseph publicly requested financial support from the UK to help fix Montserrat’s old and failing utilities infrastructure.
Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL), the government-owned company that manages electricity, water and sewage in Montserrat, had been struggling financially for some time, he said.
He described an island plagued by electricity outages, leaking water pipes and an aging sewage treatment plant.
Just days later, Governor Sarah Tucker announced £7 million in funding from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) for critical infrastructure and project management.
“This allows us to get the infrastructure sorted. We’ll stop having some of these power outages, start to get the water flowing,” she said at the time.
