Basseterre, Saint Kitts, July 23, 2026 (SKNIS) – The Federal Government and the Nevis Island
Administration held a high-level meeting on July 23, 2026, on four major issues arising from the
application by Destiny International Limited and South Nevis Limited to establish the proposed
Destiny project in Nevis.
The meeting is the latest step in a review process that began when the Cabinet Secretary of the
Nevis Island Administration formally transmitted the application to the Federal Government on
January 29, 2026, under the Special Sustainability Zones (Authorisation) Act, 2025.
On July 1, 2026, Prime Minister the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew wrote to the Premier of
Nevis the Honourable Mark Brantley identifying four major issues that had been determined by
the Federal Cabinet to fall within the purview of the Federal Government. Those issues were
identified following consultation with, and a review of input received from, the Special
Sustainability Zones Ad Hoc Committee and the Independent Oversight Committee, both of
which included members drawn from a range of civil society organisations across the Federation.
The Premier of Nevis responded on July 6, 2026, recommending that a high-level meeting be
convened to address the four issues. That meeting took place on July 23, 2026.
The discussions held at the meeting, together with the fundamental project changes proposed
there, are to be presented to the Federal Government. They will then be relayed to the
Independent Oversight Committee for its input, before being returned to the Federal Cabinet for
consideration.
Prime Minister Drew said the process to date had already produced meaningful revisions to what
was first put forward.
The Prime Minister reiterated the constitutional position he set out in his official statement of
March 10, 2026, noting that the Federal Government does not exercise a general jurisdiction over
development on Nevis. The Federal Government’s role, he explained, arises where a proposal
engages Federal responsibilities and national constitutional questions, including immigration,
customs, citizenship, law enforcement and prosecution, the courts, treaty obligations, public
finance, financial regulation and the operation of Federal laws.
“There will be no compromise as far as any of our laws or our Constitution is concerned, with any project in St. Kitts or in Nevis,” the Prime Minister stated. “The Constitution is supreme. No agreement, and no development, will be permitted to displace the Constitution.”
Consequently, no final decision has yet been made on the matter.
This process is intended to bring clarity to the proposal, in the best interest of all. The Federal
Government will continue to work with the Nevis Island Administration in a spirit of cooperation
and mutual respect, and to keep the public informed as the matter progresses.
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