Montserrat Launches Record-Breaking $3 Million BNTF Programme

Montserrat Launches Largest-Ever BNTF Programme with $3 Million Investment — The Government of Montserrat has officially launched the 11th cycle of the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) with a record-breaking allocation that represents a five-fold increase over previous cycles, signalling renewed confidence in the island's development trajectory.

 

 

The launch ceremony, held at the newly renovated Salem Community Resource Centre, brought together government officials, Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) representatives, community leaders, and residents to mark what officials describe as a transformative moment for the island's development.

 

"Today marks another important milestone in our collective commitment to sustainable development, social empowerment, and improving the quality of life for the people of Montserrat," said Ms Lorraine Lewis, the event's master of ceremonies, setting the tone for a morning focused on partnership and progress.

 

The scale of the investment is unprecedented in Montserrat's BNTF history. At approximately EC $8.1 million, the BNTF 11 allocation dwarfs previous cycles — BNTF 9 in 2017 received US $780,000, while BNTF 10 in 2021 received US $607,000.

 

Financial Secretary Kenya Lee welcomed the CDB delegation and emphasised the significance of the partnership. "This is the first time in a long time that we've seen such a large contingent of CDB colleagues to the island," he noted. "That goes to the heart of the work that CDB does in Montserrat and the importance of the BNTF program."

 

Lee revealed that Montserrat's continued participation was not guaranteed. Under revised eligibility criteria, the island would have been classified as a Group 1 country, typically disqualifying it from BNTF participation. However, proactive advocacy by the government, led by Premier Reuben T. Meade and the Minister of Finance, secured Montserrat's place in the program.

 

"It wasn't an automatic rollover of the BNTF program," Lee explained. "The CDB has led the region in changing the mechanisms and metrics in which countries are determined to need. Montserrat was very close to graduating from ODA, but due to the intervention of the UK government and the Minister of Finance, we were able to pass that."

 

O'Reilly Lewis, CDB Director of Projects, reinforced the bank's commitment to the island. "BNTF remains the bank's flagship community-based poverty reduction program. It's practical, people-centred, and has a proven track record across the region," he stated. "It improves everyday lives, delivers results that communities can see and feel."

 

Lewis highlighted the program's historical impact: "Since 1979, BNTF has been a practical expression of our shared commitment to poverty reduction. Across the region, BNTF has delivered hundreds of projects, strengthening schools, expanding water and sanitation, improving community facilities, and supporting livelihoods."

 

In Montserrat specifically, BNTF has completed 35 projects valued at approximately US $5.3 million over the past 25 years, including 17 projects in education and livelihoods, 7 in water and sanitation, and 11 in community access and drainage.

 

Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Housing, and Environment John P. Osborne, delivering remarks on behalf of the government, framed the expanded allocation as a vote of confidence in Montserrat's institutional capacity.

 

"The expansion of Montserrat's allocation under BNTF was not a favour. It is a deliberate vote of confidence by the contributors and by the bank's confidence in this government's capacity to deliver," Osborne declared. "Our institutional readiness, and in the cases we made, for the strategic value of continued investment in this country's communities."

 

The minister outlined the four priority areas for BNTF 11: quality education and training, basic community access and drainage, water and sanitation systems, and livelihood enhancement. A sharpened focus on food sovereignty and agricultural value chains reflects growing concerns about food security in the region.

 

Among the 12 strategic sub-projects is a new poultry processing plant designed to boost domestic agriculture production and advance Montserrat's import substitution agenda. Other projects span road infrastructure, water and sanitation improvements, social inclusion initiatives, and skills development programs.

 

The ceremony featured testimonials from community beneficiaries who have experienced BNTF's impact firsthand. Barbara Bass of the Salem Community Development Group spoke about the transformation of the Salem Primary School into the Community Resource Centre, where the launch was held.

 

"I remember walking up to school right here when this building was known as the Salem Primary School," Bass recalled. "Today, I am blessed to witness this building beautifully renovated and transformed into the Salem Community Resource Centre. It is a full circle moment for me and for many others who share similar memories."

 

Energy Officer Oswin Carty shared how BNTF-funded solar PV training enhanced his professional capacity while benefiting the island's health infrastructure. "As an Energy Officer, renewable energy on Montserrat is very important to me. It is my passion," he said. "Green Solutions put on the training in collaboration with BNTF. It is an NABCEP-certified training, which offers anything from battery technology, solar panel technology, and safety."

 

Carty explained the dual benefit: "What this project did was not only train us in theory, but it also gave us the practical experience as solar panels were put onto the health clinics to help improve the energy security."

 

The launch also featured cultural performances, including a musical rendition by Enistia Morson, the Junior Calypso Monarch, underscoring the program's commitment to nurturing youth talent alongside infrastructure development.

 

 

 

 

Source: Montserrat Radio Echo/ZJB