Infrastructure

Montserrat’s Public Works Department (PWD) is responsible for the construction and maintenance of public roads and drainage networks. Montserrat Electricity Services Limited (MONLEC) provides and services the island’s power supply. Cable and Wireless Ltd (W.I.) provides the island with both domestic and international direct dialing telecommunications as well as cable television, internet services, and cellular phone coverage. Montserrat Water Authority (MWA) oversees the island’s water supply.

Road Network

In 1995, prior to the eruption of the Soufriere Hills Volcano, the island’s road network comprised a total of 269 km of roadway; 203 km were paved while 66 km were unpaved.

The percentage of usable roads is considerably less since the volcanic eruption. The southern portion of the island has

been deemed the exclusion zone. This area is uninhabitable and its roads are destroyed, either covered in pyroclastic flows and ash or broken by fallen volcanic materials. The eruptions also affected the habitable parts of the island. These areas were not immune to fallen volcanic materials. In particular, heavy ash fall caused much of the roads to crack and erode.

Improving and maintaining Montserrat’s road network to a high standard is one of the island’s main objectives. In 2004, $1,539,000.00 EC was spent on road maintenance, including road and drain cleaning. The Public Works Department began a road patching program along Montserrat’s roads in late January, 2005. Funds for this program will be used on minor projects including the Bishop’s View Road in Olde Towne, Runaway Ghaut Road and retaining wall, and the Cassava Ghaut to Cheap End Junction. Construction of an access bridge to the former Day Time Entry Zone (DTEZ) will allow for all-weather access to the zone and reoccupation of select areas south of Belham. Plans also call for improvement to several major junctions and shopping locations.

Utilities

Power

Diesel generators produced electricity on Montserrat. The cost of imported diesel fuel has been rapidly increasing in recent years as a result of the war in the Middle

East. According to Managing Director R. H. Howson, fuel prices increased nearly 50% in just 12 months from February 2002 to February 2003. MONLEC encourages customers to pay careful attention to the wise use of energy.

According to the 2004 Budget Speech, MONLEC’s ability to provide dependable electricity to the island during the last quarter of 2003 was greatly affected by the failure of its newest generator. Since then, MONLEC has improved services with the installation of two generating sets. As reported in the 2005 Budget Speech, sales increased by approximately 8% during 2004 compared with an average 4% increase in 2003. As a result of recent growth, MONLEC is once again able to maintain some of its earning for expansion.

MONLEC continues to build a modern power station in Brades. As stated in the 2005 Budget Speech, the new station

will be partly funded by a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank. The company hopes to secure a medium diesel engine before the start of construction planned for late 2005. In the future, the island hopes to explore geothermal power as a source of electricity. The island also has great potential for wind power.

Cable and Telephone

Cable and Wireless Ltd. services the island with both domestic and international direct-dialing telecommunications. The island has both internet access and cellular phone reception. Montserratians also have access to cable television which provides them with a variety of American television stations.

Water

The MWA strives to provide the island of Montserrat with an efficient, reliable, and cost effective supply of water. Over the years, spring yields have generally declined. According to the 2004 Budget Speech, the MWA spent $80,000.00 EC on catchment points to ensure the capture of daily spring production. Although improvements at catchment points have helped, springs do not seem to be recharging at desired rates. The MWA encourages Montserratians to change their water using habits; for example, Caribbean islanders in general are encouraged to harvest water from rooftop catchments.

The British Geological Survey conducted a survey of groundwater resources on the island during 2003. The survey confirmed the existence of ground water in the Belham Valley. Since then, the Department for International Development (DFID) has provided the island with $1.0 million EC to explore and develop the Belham groundwater resource. Hydrologists hope the source will provide up to 200,000 gallons per day.

The residents of Montserrat are proud of their water. It is believed that if a visitor drinks from the spring at Runaway Ghaut, he or she is guaranteed to return to Montserrat. Islanders also believe that Montserrat’s high quality water has investment potential. As reported in the 2004 Budget Speech, a German company has purchased land on the island with plans to begin a water bottling project, pending on the location of a necessary volume of water.

Sources:

www.gov.ms
www.themontserratreporter.com
www.visitmonserrat.com

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