St Vincent and the Grenadines has successfully completed the renovation of its volcano observatory, with Michelle Forbes, the Director of the National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO), describing it as “remarkable”.
The upgraded Belmont Observatory facility was officially handed over to the organization earlier this week, said a media release from the island’s Agency for Public Information.
Forbes explained that the project was financed through a concessional loan from the World Bank, with the total expenditure reaching EC$4.696 million. It is reported that construction began in March 2024 and, despite delays caused by adverse weather and other unforeseen circumstances, was finalized in December 2025.
Forbes noted that the newly renovated observatory represents a critical milestone in enhancing the country’s capacity to monitor volcanic activity and respond effectively to emergencies.
“We started this work in 2024 and here we are now early 2026 handing over this new facility…those of you who haven’t been here for a while, it is really a remarkable facility, and I’m really happy today that the Soufriere Monitoring Unit team and the scientist that will join us from time to time here in St Vincent and the Grenadines have a much better and more conducive environment in which to work,” she stated.
She also acknowledged that while it is preferable not to witness another volcanic eruption in the near future, the country is now better prepared.“We may not want to see another eruption soon, but we know it will come someday. When it does, we are now better equipped, with improved facilities for our scientists and local monitoring team to do their work,” Forbes added.
In her remarks, Forbes expressed appreciation to all involved stakeholders, including the Soufriere Monitoring Unit team, architects, engineers, and contractors. She highlighted that the project faced and overcame several challenges through effective collaboration.
As per the release, the upgraded Belmont Volcano Observatory is part of the St Vincent government’s broader strategy to reduce disaster risk and bolster resilience. Officials say the aim is to protect lives and infrastructure by ensuring more effective monitoring and response capabilities during volcanic events.
The refurbishment process was carried out in phases by different agencies, says the report.
The handover ceremony was attended by key officials, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security, Disaster Management, and Immigration, Major Hon. St. Clair Leacock.