BASSETERRE — Residents of Saddlers and surrounding villages voiced their priorities for Saint Kitts and Nevis’s future during the first community consultation on the 2026 National Budget, held Tuesday evening at Saddlers Primary School.
Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, led the session alongside Federal Cabinet members and Financial Secretary Carlton Pogson, who outlined the government’s priorities and plans for the upcoming financial year.
The consultation, held under the theme “Turning Conversations into Action: Building Our Sustainable Island State Together,” represents a critical platform for public engagement in shaping the nation’s budget and development agenda.
The Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Cabinet Secretariat, announced the series of consultations earlier this month, comprising two community-based meetings and one national forum. These engagements are designed to facilitate meaningful dialogue between government and citizens, allowing public input to determine national priorities and fiscal strategies.
Details regarding the second community consultation and the National Budget Forum will be announced in the coming days, with plans being finalized to ensure maximum participation and accessibility for all stakeholders across the Federation.
The public engagements form a critical part of the budget formulation process, ensuring that voices of citizens, community organizations, and the private sector are reflected in the nation’s development agenda.
Through these consultations, the government reaffirms its commitment to inclusive governance, transparency, accountability, and partnership as key pillars in building a sustainable and resilient island state.