The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis has taken a significant step toward ensuring a reliable supply of potable water throughout the Federation, with the signing of a USD $13 million loan agreement with the Republic of China (Taiwan). The funds, facilitated through Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF), will support the completion of a two-million-gallon-per-day desalination plant currently under construction in Basseterre.
The signing ceremony, held on 10th April, was led by Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew and Taiwan’s Resident Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Michael Lin. The ceremony served as an affirmation of the strong and enduring diplomatic partnership between the two nations.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Daryll Lloyd, highlighted the critical role the funding plays in addressing longstanding water shortages in the country.
“As a government and as a ministry, we recognise the significant challenges that we have faced with the scarcity of water in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, and this would have led to today’s ceremony. The government has started a robust project to return the Federation to 24-hour clean, potable water, and is currently constructing a two-million-gallon-per-day desalination plant in the Basseterre area,” Lloyd explained.
He acknowledged that while the project is costly, it is a necessary investment, and welcomed Taiwan’s support in realising this essential infrastructure.
Prime Minister Drew hailed the agreement as a “major leap forward” in the Federation’s development agenda and praised Taiwan’s role as a steadfast partner across key sectors including agriculture, healthcare, ICT, and now, water security.
“Real transformation comes with collaboration, and our partnership with Taiwan has once again proven invaluable. Through ICDF, and across sectors like agriculture, healthcare, ICT, and now water, Taiwan continues to be a true development partner, helping us not as beneficiaries, but as equals,” Dr. Drew said.
He underscored the government’s dedication to addressing water insecurity since taking office, referencing system-wide audits, infrastructure upgrades, and the integration of smart technologies. The desalination project, he said, represents a bold, long-term solution that will bring “great easement” to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis.
Dr. Drew extended his appreciation to the Government of Taiwan, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Infrastructure, and Konris Maynard, Minister of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities for their commitment to the project.
The desalination plant is expected to be completed by July 2025.
The loan agreement marks another significant milestone in the diplomatic and developmental ties between St. Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of China on Taiwan.
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