Prime Minister The Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew delivered the nation’s 42nd Independence Day address on September 19, 2025, from the newly reconstructed main road in St. Peters, emphasizing the theme “Perpetual Progress, A Sustainable Future in View.”
Standing on freshly laid asphalt with improved drainage and lighting around him, Prime Minister Drew used the infrastructure as a metaphor for the Federation’s ongoing development.
“Every lane we restore, every culvert we replace, every blacktop we lay is a piece of that freedom—practical, measurable and felt,” he stated.
The Prime Minister outlined significant accomplishments since August 2022, including two minimum wage increases raising weekly earnings from EC$360 to EC$500. The government introduced pensions for auxiliary employees, launched the Aspire program creating over 4,000 bank accounts with $4.1 million deposited, and provided $36 million in direct financial assistance to over 22,000 residents through the Budget Boost Wallet program.
Infrastructure developments include upgrades to over 15 miles of roads, construction of climate-smart housing, water supply improvements, and solar-powered desalination plants. A new desalination facility near completion will provide over 2 million gallons of potable water. Major projects advancing include a climate-smart hospital, Basseterre High School reconstruction, and the Joshua Obadiah Williams Primary School.
PM Drew acknowledged ongoing challenges from imported inflation, climate change effects including droughts, and global geopolitical uncertainties. However, he emphasized resilience.
“We face them not with fear but with a strong resolve,” Drew said.
The Prime Minister outlined his vision for tomorrow’s St. Kitts and Nevis—a nation where every child has educational opportunities, families live in storm-safe homes, communities are violence-free, and renewable energy powers development.
“This is independence that breathes,” he declared.
The ceremony featured the announcement of national honors recognizing outstanding citizens:
Companion of the Star of Merit recipients include:
- Pastor Leroy Benjamin Sr. – Religion and Spiritual Leadership
- Mr. Goldwin O. Caines – Public and Civic Service
- Dr. Jerome Thomas – Agriculture
- Mrs. Lydia Thompson-Claxton – Sports
- Mr. William V. A. Hodge – Education and Academia
- Ms. Lorozine Williams – Education and Academia
- Mrs. Dorothy Clarke – Education and Academia
- Mr. Franklyn Dorset – Law & Justice and Sports
Medal of Honor recipients include Mr. Meredith Charles, Ms. Joyah Walters, Pastor Clive Saunders, Mr. Trevor ‘Marty’ Huggins, Mrs. Etsu Bradshaw-Caines, Mr. Washington J. Fraites, Mr. Lennox Warner and Mr. Stedroy Douglas.
Emphasizing unity, the Prime Minister called for continued collaboration between government and citizens.
“Together we are stronger. Together we are safer. Together we are freer,” Drew declared. “We are one federation traveling the road of perpetual progress.”