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NIA, Federal Government Resolve Outstanding Issues to Advance Destiny SSZ Project

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NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS (July 27, 2026)– Premier of Nevis, the Honourable Mark Brantley, says recent high-level engagement among key stakeholders has yielded significant progress toward advancing the proposed Destiny Special Sustainable Zone (SSZ) Project. The Premier provided the update during his monthly press conference on Thursday, July 23. “Yesterday a very high-level meeting between representatives from the federal government, representatives from the Nevis Island Administration and representatives from the Destiny developers and the meeting occurred at the Four Seasons Resort. It took up a significant part of yesterday and the whole purpose behind that meeting was to iron out some remaining issues. “The Honourable Prime Minister [Dr. Terrance Drew] would have written to me indicating that having considered the matter at the cabinet, they had four issues that were of some concern and those issues I am advised would have been resolved in that meeting that occurred yesterday and if that is the position it now means therefore that we should be in a position to move forward with that particular project.” Premier Brantley sought to clarify the legal framework governing the proposed Destiny Project, emphasizing that the approval process is prescribed by law, includes multiple levels of oversight, and provides opportunities for public engagement while safeguarding the Federation’s constitutional authority. “The SSZ legislation created a framework for particular types of developments and that is why for development in Nevis that wants to be registered under that legislation it has to first come to the NIA Cabinet, then it goes to the Federal Cabinet, then it has to go to the parliament in Nevis then it has to go to the parliament in St. Kitts. “So it’s a very long process that is why I’ve kept saying to the public, some of whom are quite agitated, I’m not sure why they’re so agitated because I’ve said the information by law has to come to you…We’re still at a very early stage of this, and so I have tried my very best to say to our people that we’ve already given some but there will be further opportunities to engage on this issue of not just the SSZ but whether or not this particular development is a development that we want and the form that that development is going to take.” Premier Brantley assured the public that both he and Prime Minister Drew had been diligent in ensuring that the proposed framework would not infringe upon the Federation’s Constitution and that key constitutional safeguards- including the authority of the Director of Public Prosecutions over criminal matters, the Commissioner of Police over policing and security, and the constitutional roles of Customs and Immigration- would remain fully intact. He reminded the public that the SSZ legislation requires any project agreement to be made public before it is presented to the Nevis Island Assembly, ensuring the public has an opportunity to review and discuss the proposed terms. He urged residents to remain patient and allow the legislative process to unfold. “Take it easy. The agreement will come. It has to come. Let the process work…Let us wait; let us abide the process. Nobody is trying to hide anything. It is just a process, and it would be foolish of us as government to put version after version after version of agreement into the public domain. We’ll put the version that is ultimately proposed by the NIA and by the Federal Government over to the parliament so that people can then engage on that version.” The Destiny SSZ Project, the landmark development proposed for the south coast of the island, is expected to deliver significant long-term benefits to Nevis through increased investment, employment opportunities, expanded tourism offerings, infrastructure development, and sustained economic growth.

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CCM-led Nevis Island Administration to Deliver First-Ever Dialysis Centre for Nevis

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NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS (July 23, 2026)– The Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM)-led Nevis Island Administration (NIA) is delivering a major advancement in healthcare with the establishment of the island’s first dedicated dialysis centre, a transformative investment that will bring lifesaving kidney treatment directly to the people of Nevis. Announced by Premier of Nevis the Honourable Mark Brantley during his monthly press conference on July 23, the project is being undertaken at the Alexandra Hospital in collaboration with Renal Dynamics and private sector partners. The initiative marks a historic milestone in healthcare delivery, eliminating the need for many patients to travel off island for regular dialysis treatment. “The Island of Nevis, for the first time in our history, is in the process of establishing a dialysis centre. The Nevis Island Administration, in collaboration with Renal Dynamics and private sector partners, is advancing the Alexandra Hospital’s first dedicated dialysis facility. “The total investment is U.S. $1.3 million. In terms of capacity, the facility will house five state-of-the-art dialysis stations, accommodating up to 20 patients.” Premier Brantley thanked Olivier Janssens and his team, developers of the proposed Destiny SSZ Project, for funding construction of the facility and providing the finance for all of its operations, including staffing, for the first two years. The facility is designed to provide comprehensive renal care, supported by a multidisciplinary team. The unit will be staffed by specialist dialysis nurses, a biomedical technician, and support personnel, providing access to nephrology services through regional collaboration. Construction is on schedule for completion in the third quarter of 2026, with the facility expected to begin treating its first patients before the end of the year. Currently, nine Nevisians require dialysis treatment. Eight receive financial assistance from the NIA to access services at the Joseph N. France General Hospital in St. Kitts. Premier Brantley explained that while the establishment of a dialysis centre had long been an aspiration for Nevis, his Administration waited until it had secured a viable pathway to deliver the service in a sustainable manner. To help ensure the long-term success of the project, the NIA has partnered with Renal Dynamics, a company with more than 30 years of regional experience in the supply, installation and maintenance of dialysis equipment. The company will provide comprehensive end-to-end support for the project, including procurement, logistics, installation, technical training and ongoing maintenance, helping ensure the facility delivers reliable, high-quality dialysis care for the people of Nevis. As work progresses, Premier Brantley disclosed that the equipment has already arrived on Nevis and four haemodialysis nurses have been recruited, while recruitment continues for a haemodialysis nurse manager. He said the project is a direct response to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) on the island and reflects the NIA’s commitment to expanding access to quality healthcare. According to data from the Ministry of Health, Nevis currently has 470 persons registered with diabetes and 606 registered with hypertension through its public health clinics. He noted that these figures do not include patients receiving care through private physicians, meaning the actual numbers are likely much higher. “Those numbers are only those who are accessing care through our clinics… those who are suffering from hypertension or diabetes who are accessing care from their private doctors would not necessarily be reflected in these numbers. So we can tell ourselves that the numbers are, in fact, much higher… That, ladies and gentlemen, is a crisis.” In addition to serving residents of Nevis, the new facility is expected to provide support for dialysis patients from St. Kitts when needed, further strengthening healthcare collaboration between the two islands. Premier Brantley expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for supporting Nevisian patients over the years and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to investing in healthcare infrastructure and services that improve lives and expand access to essential medical care at home. “The development of a Nevis dialysis unit marks a significant milestone in the island’s healthcare journey, improving lives, supporting families, and building a healthier future for Nevis.” The Premier urged residents to take greater responsibility for their health, noting that diabetes and hypertension are among the leading causes of kidney disease and kidney failure.