Official Statement by Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, on the Proposed Destiny Project – March 10, 2026
I want the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis to clearly understand one important constitutional point, the federal government does not have a general power over development taking place on Nevis. Under the Constitution, section 106 of the Constitution and section 119, many of the major issues connected to development on Nevis fall within the authority of the Nevis Island Administration and the Nevis Island Legislature.
Here is the full list of matters written in the constitution for which Nevis has full authority, as stated in Section 106, and Schedule Five of the Constitution:
- Airports and seaports, e
- Education,
- Extraction and Processing of minerals,
- Fisheries,
- Health and Welfare,
- Labor,
- Land and Buildings vested in the crown,
- Licensing of imports into and exports out of the Federation,
- Agriculture,
- Amenities for tourists,
- Animals,
- Archeological and historical sites and monuments,
- Borrowing of monies or obtaining grants of monies for the purpose of the Nevis Island administration and the making of grants and loans for those purposes,
- Cemeteries,
- Cinemas,
- Conservation and supply of water,
- Dangerous or inflammable substances,
- Economic planning and development other than national planning and development,
- Employment of persons who are not citizens,
- Hotels, restaurants, bars, casinos and other similar establishments,
- Housing,
- Industries, trade and business,
- Land and building other than land and buildings vested in the crown and specifically appropriated to the use of the government including holding of land by persons who are not citizens,
- Manufacture and supply of electricity,
- Parks and other places for public recreation,
- Prevention and control of fires,
- Roads and highways,
- Sports and cultural activities.
Those are matters assigned by the Constitution to Nevis and the federal government must respect those limits. The federal government’s role arises where a proposal engages federal responsibilities and national constitutional questions. That includes matters such as immigration, customs, law enforcement, courts, the operation of federal laws, treaty obligations, and other issues that fall within the constitutional authority of the Federation.
Where those matters are engaged, the federal government has a duty to proceed carefully, lawfully and in the national interest, always ensuring that our constitution is not violated and our sovereignty is not infringed upon.
The government has also received the report of the ad hoc committee that I established in January 2026, which contains sound recommendations for strengthening the SSZ Authorization Act. Those recommendations have been discussed in Cabinet, and they will result in amendments to the SSZ Authorization Act with first reading at the next sitting of the National Assembly, which is imminent.
As it relates to the current proposed development agreement, the review process will be initiated in a way that allows the federal government to receive advice from a broad cross section of professional persons, as recommended by the Prime Minister’s ad hoc committee.
The Federal Government remains committed to a lawful, responsible and transparent process that respects the Constitution, respects the authority of Nevis in matters assigned to Nevis, and protects the national interest of the Federation and our sovereignty.