Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, has unveiled the shocking details of a secretive, near-catastrophic deal negotiated under the former Dr. Timothy Harris administration, which would have resulted in the effective giveaway of the country’s 30 percent stake in the prized Christophe Harbour development.
The revelation, made during the June edition of The Roundtable, stunned the public and underscored the stark contrast between the Drew-led Labour administration’s principled stewardship of national assets and the dubious governance practices of its predecessor.
According to Dr. Drew, who also serves as Minister of Finance, the arrangement orchestrated between 2017 and 2018 would have reduced the Federation’s stake—held via the Sugar Industry Diversification Fund (SIDF)—to a mere 35 acres worth $25 million out of approximately 2,500 acres of prime real estate on the South East Peninsula. Even more galling, the people of St. Kitts and Nevis would have been obligated to pay investor Buddy Darby nearly USD $6 million under this lopsided arrangement, effectively rewarding the stripping of their national patrimony.
“This deal was not just disadvantageous—it was shameful,” Dr. Drew asserted. “It would have cost our people their rightful stake in one of the most strategic and valuable developments in the Federation, while providing nothing in return.”
Dr. Drew did not mince words in condemning the former Prime Minister and members of his Cabinet, who, he said, not only negotiated this travesty but deliberately kept it hidden from public view. “It is unconscionable that a sitting government would even contemplate surrendering the people’s patrimony behind closed doors,” he said. “They ought to be ashamed.”
In sharp contrast, Dr. Drew proudly announced that his administration has renegotiated a vastly more favourable deal—one that places the interests of the people front and centre. Under the new arrangement, Christophe Harbour has been sold to Safe Harbor Marinas, LLC, the world’s largest operator of marinas. The landmark transaction has already delivered nearly EC $25 million in direct payments to key public institutions.
“These funds are not theoretical,” Dr. Drew stressed. “They are real. They have already been distributed—to pay debts long neglected by the previous administration and to restore financial order.”
A Breakdown of Payments Already Made:
- EC $4,528,523 to the Social Security Board
- EC $2,406,077 to SKELEC
- EC $5,703,600 to the SIDF
- EC $2,796,032 to the National Bank Trust
- EC $2,716,000 directly to the National Bank
- EC $2,987,600 toward property tax arrears
- EC $3,612,280 in stamp duties
“These payments mark the end of years of financial neglect,” Dr. Drew affirmed. “We have brought closure and clarity to a dark chapter.”
But the benefits don’t stop there. As part of the agreement, Safe Harbor Marinas has committed to a 40 percent expansion of the Christophe Harbour Marina and the construction of a new desalination plant, both of which are expected to be completed by November 2025. This infrastructure will further cement St. Kitts’ status as a premier yachting hub in the Caribbean.
Dr. Drew reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and people-centred governance. “Today, Christophe Harbour is no longer a symbol of mismanagement and secrecy,” he declared. “It is a beacon of opportunity for our people and national pride. We are building a Sustainable Island State not by chance, but by choice—by protecting what belongs to our people and ensuring it works for them.”
The Drew administration’s handling of this once-threatened asset demonstrates a decisive break from the secretive and reckless practices of the Harris-led government. While Dr. Harris and his Cabinet sought to divest the people of their rightful inheritance in silence, the Drew Labour government has acted decisively to secure it—openly, responsibly, and with the people in mind.
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