Broken down government truck in front of the “barracks”.
The Soufriere Hills eruptions resulted in a mass exodus of Montserratians. One of the reasons Montserratians left was because there were few jobs and very little job security during and post-crisis.
Jobs that were available and offered the most security were those in the government. Government offices required a number of individuals to assist in legislation and enforcement regarding the disaster. Also, the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, operated by the British government, required a number of employees. Transportation and other infrastructure were greatly affected because of the crisis; thus, many laborers were needed to make repairs. Finally, a number of other positions coordinated by the government needed to be filled in order to ensure that Montserrat was on the road to recovery.
Government Offices
Montserrat is governed by both local and British officials. The island is a British overseas territory and therefore is officially under the rule of the Queen of England, Elizabeth II. A British governor represents the Queen as the chief of state on Montserrat and the Montserratian Chief Minister is the head of the government. Currently the governor is Deborah Barnes Jones and the Chief Minister is John Osborne. The legislative branch on Montserrat is elected by Montserratians and the governor is appointed by the British monarch ( The World Factbook).
Click on the sign to go to Montserrat’s Official Government website.
Sign for the MVO
The Montserrat Volcano Observatory was created by the British government to monitor the South Soufriere Hills volcano after it began activity in 1995. The MVO employs scientists primarily from England and the University of the West Indies. The MVO is part of the government and is run by a Board of Directors that includes both the governor and Chief Minister. The purpose of the MVO is to report on the activity of the volcano and to advise the government. (The Montserrat Volcano Observatory http://www.mvo.ms/).
Click on the MVO sign to find out more information about the Montserrat Volcano Observatory.
The Heliport
Without an airport Montserrat can only be reached by ferry or helicopter. The heliport houses and operates helicopters that regularly transport people and goods between Montserrat and Antigua. It also gives daily tours of the island. Port Little Bay was created during the volcanic crisis after the harbor in Plymouth was evacuated. A ferry shuttles passengers and goods between Antigua and Montserrat twice daily.
Click on the heliport to see pictures of the Little Bay Port and more pictures of the helicopter.
Construction Workers
Reconstruction of the island is the government’s largest endeavor. Much of the island is under construction as workers strive to rebuild what was destroyed during the eruptions and replace what was lost in the exclusion zone. This includes the building of a new airport to replace Bramble Airport, which was destroyed in 1995.
Click on this image to see more pictures of Montserrat’s reconstruction efforts.
Sign for the Philatelic Bureau
The government employs individuals in a variety of other positions. The Philatelic Bureau is in charge of stamp distribution for Montserrat; it also provides services for stamp collectors all over the world. Education, television, and radio are all currently government-subsidized.
Click on the Philatelic Bureau sign for images of a variety of government jobs.
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