OECS leaders gave their commitment to the setting up of the climate change centre in Silver Hills, Montserrat, at a special meeting in Antigua.

Dr Lowell Lewis, Chief Minister of Montserrat

Chief Minister of Montserrat, Dr Lowell Lewis, said, “At a meeting of the Heads of the OECS territories, Prime Ministers and Chief Ministers agreed that Montserrat would be supported in offering to be the host of a climate change centre for the OECS territories.  We are putting forward a proposal for the building of a facility on Silver Hills, and we expect that the project will work in collaboration with the ongoing climate change project for the whole Caribbean region.”

Lewis said, “We have begun discussion with a north American group, who are interested in setting up a veterinary school and a nursing school here on Montserrat.  We’re expecting a visit from them in January, and we’re hoping that that would be another successful venture.”

Shortly after attending the special meeting in Antigua, the Government of Montserrat announced that UK Overseas Territories Minister, Lord Treisman, had granted initial support for the project.

Lewis added, “We are going to present to potential donors the designs and plans in Montserrat.  We know that the Caribbean Development Bank is interested in supporting such a regional project, and when we have a visit by the Canadian High Commissioner here on Montserrat…, we will be taking him to the site on Silver Hills and show him preliminary designs of what we think can happen there.  I do believe it’s an ideal site for a weather radar and great for monitoring tsunamis and early warnings for hurricanes.”

The Climate for Change Centre on Montserrat will provide education and outreach on climate change and energy issues.

It is also expected to raise awareness and motivate people to develop and assist with the implementation of climate change and energy efficiency initiatives.