The collapse of a 50-year-old sewage tank based in Lookout could prove disastrous for the community and wider Montserrat, Premier Joseph E Farrell has cautioned.
Speaking during the latest sitting of Montserrat Legislative Assembly, he said if the incident occurs, as has been forewarned, it is likely to lead to mass resident relocation.
The sewage tank was installed in Lookout 25 years ago when it was already 25 years old, the premier told the assembly during his opening statement on 25 June.
“…a report indicated that if urgent action is not taken now, that tank will collapse and the implication will be significant,” he said.
“It will have both social, health and environmental implications for not only for the people of Lookout, but for all of us here on island.”
Leave island
Farrell suggested that if the sewage tank collapses, two thirds of Lookout will have to be relocated.
“The question – relocated where? The only option they’d have is to leave the island, further diminishing our small population and making us a country which cannot survive.”
However, the problem may be prevented with the passing of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (13) 2024, he said.
This will allow the government to access EC$25.4 million to improve the delivery of utilities services to residents.
During his statement, the premier also voiced his support for the Income and Corporation Tax Amendment Bill.
This, he said, will fulfil the government’s promise to public servants and private sector personnel of a reduced income tax threshold and more take-home money.
Financial support
In May, Deputy Premier Samuel Joseph requested financial support from the United Kingdom to help fix Montserrat’s failing electricity, water and sewage infrastructure.
He mentioned Montserrat’s sewage treatment plant, based in Lookout, which, he said, the UK government installed 25 years ago.
“Again, we have serious concerns about that plant and about its functionality, and we have costing for that plant and it’s approaching $10 million,” Joseph continued.
“So, there’s lots of capital, infrastructure and monies that will be needed to get all these things back to a [good] state.”
He said at the time that business cases had been written and put forward to the UK government.
“We, as a government, believe there’s no way internally that the Government of Montserrat through the taxes it collects from its people can put those repairs in place.”
