From construction of a new port to a multimillion-dollar investment in healthcare, Premier Joseph E Farrell reflected recently on what he called his government’s “major milestones”.
During his presentation of the 2024-2025 Budget to fellow members of the Montserrat Legislative Assembly, he listed the MCAP administration’s past year of achievements:
-The Montserrat Port Development Project, an initiative in the planning for almost a generation, moved into construction and will be actively commissioned later this year.
-The New National Hospital, “after waiting for more than 25 years”, broke ground with early works underway and the main construction tender in the final stages, Farrell said.
-The healthcare system saw a multimillion-dollar investment in diagnostic and life-saving equipment including the installation of a CT Scanner and 3D mammography machines.
-A new, modern ferry service was reintroduced, and the government continued to support the airlines, provide access improvements, and enable a successful St Patrick’s Festival season.
-The government commissioned a new asphalt production plant enabling the next phase of road investment to begin, the premier said.
-It also invested in the rehabilitation of the old Salem Primary School into a community centre in the first stage of the village’s transformation.
-The Parliament Building Project was launched, with the solicitation of the bids for its design.
-The government improved stability of Montserrat’s national electricity grid through implementation of new gen-set equipment, after years of failed investment, Farrell said.
-It also supported 43 local businesses with financial support through the Small Business Relief Fund.
-The government pursued a “new, vital approach” to investment opportunities in Montserrat in renewable energy, aviation, agriculture and tourism, the premier continued.
-It moved to protect the most vulnerable with investments in safeguarding, domestic violence prevention and child protection campaigns.
-The Royal Montserrat Police Service in conjunction with the Social Services Department worked to investigate and address concerns of criminal offences.
-Safeguarding and domestic violence policies were introduced to address and reduce the likelihood of harm, abuse and distress of such occurrences.
-The government invested in social housing, with the first new capital investment in new build since 2018, and the completion of maintenance works for the most vulnerable.
-It completed the refurbishment of Block M at the Montserrat Secondary School, restoring classroom capacity.
-All households in Montserrat were given food vouchers. A total of 6,775 vouchers were issued to 2,259 households – at a total value of EC$700,000.
-The government provided Montserrat Utilities Limited (MUL) with direct financial assistance to support its operations.
-It also continued to support the Social Security Fund with additional financial injections.
-About 1.2 kilometres of road was overlaid, critical potholes fixed, and road conditions improved through verge and drain cleaning and a maintenance schedule.
-The government also provided quality education to students thanks to an increased number of trained teachers, and increased open access to day care and nursery centres, the premier said.
-And finally, there was an 84% pass rate in CXC 2023 examinations and performance improvements in tests of standards at grades four and six.
