🇰🇳 PETITION UPDATE: DESTINY SSZ — GROWING PRESSURE, BUT WHERE IS THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY?

Dear Supporters,

The debate over the proposed Destiny Project and Special Sustainability Zone (SSZ) in Nevis has intensified, with new reports highlighting continuing approval delays and renewed political concerns.

These developments reinforce why our petition for transparency, accountability and meaningful public scrutiny remains so important.

🔴 1. Destiny investors reportedly frustrated by approval delays
On 30 September, Television Caribbean reported that Premier Mark Brantley had described Destiny's investors as “frustrated beyond measure” by delays in obtaining Federal approval.

According to the report, the Premier said the investors had addressed concerns raised by Federal Cabinet months earlier, but approval remained pending.

This raises an important question:

If the outstanding concerns have been addressed, what remains to be resolved before a decision can be made?

The public deserves a clear explanation of the current position, the remaining steps in the approval process and the timetable for the next decision.

Investor frustration cannot replace proper scrutiny. A project of this scale must be assessed on its merits, with the Constitution, the public interest and the long-term future of Nevis protected.

🔴 2. The Nevis Reformation Party raises further concerns
On 7 October, Television Caribbean reported that Dr Janice Daniel-Hodge, leader of the Nevis Reformation Party, had raised objections to the SSZ framework and proposed Destiny development, including concerns relating to Nevis's authority over its land and development.

This demonstrates that questions about the project extend beyond the immediate negotiations between the developers and the two governments.

The constitutional relationship between St. Kitts and Nevis, the authority of the Nevis Island Administration and the safeguards contained in the SSZ framework deserve careful public examination.

These are not minor administrative matters. They concern who makes decisions, under what authority, and with what protections for the people affected.

🟠 3. The Government has already acknowledged fundamental changes
On 23 July 2026, the Federal Government confirmed that discussions with the Nevis Island Administration had addressed four major issues concerning the proposed Destiny Project.

The Government also stated that the process had produced “meaningful revisions” to the original proposal and that the changes would be considered further before Federal Cabinet made its decision.

The Government expressly stated that no final decision had yet been made.

Yet the central questions remain:

What exactly has changed in the revised proposal?
How have the four Federal concerns been addressed?
What safeguards have been added or strengthened?
Has the revised proposal completed its review by the Independent Oversight Committee?
When will the public be able to examine the proposed Development Agreement and its supporting documents?
We should not be expected to judge a revised proposal without knowing what has been revised.

🟢 4. Premier Brantley has given an important assurance
As previously reported in this petition, I received a response from Premier Mark Brantley assuring me that the legislative process would be followed.

He stated that the process includes making the Agreement available to the public and providing parliamentary oversight in both the Nevis Island Assembly and the National Parliament.

He also invited petitioners to share their comments when the Agreement is released.

We welcome that assurance.

We intend to take up that invitation.

But meaningful participation requires more than publication at the last moment. The public needs sufficient time to read the Agreement, understand its implications, examine the supporting evidence and make informed representations before parliamentary consideration.

We will continue to press for that opportunity.

❓ WHAT WE ARE CALLING FOR
We are asking the Governments of St. Kitts and Nevis to:

1. Provide a clear public update on the status of the Destiny application and the outstanding approval steps.

2. Explain the changes made to the original proposal following the July 2026 high-level meeting.

3. Publish the proposed Development Agreement before parliamentary consideration, in accordance with the Premier's stated commitment.

4. Make relevant supporting assessments available, including environmental, social, water, energy, infrastructure and financial assessments.

5. Clarify the governance and constitutional safeguards that will apply to any proposed SSZ, including the respective powers of the Nevis Island Administration and the Federal Government.

6. Allow meaningful public participation before any final decision or irreversible commitment is made.

🇰🇳 DEVELOPMENT MUST SERVE THE PEOPLE
We recognise that Nevis needs investment, employment opportunities and sustainable economic development.

Our petition is not against development simply because it is ambitious or privately financed.

Our concern is whether a project of this scale can proceed with adequate transparency, enforceable safeguards, environmental responsibility and respect for the constitutional arrangements of the Federation.

The larger the project, the greater the need for scrutiny.

The greater the promised benefits, the more important it is to understand the obligations, risks and safeguards contained in the agreement.

And the greater the potential consequences for future generations, the more important it is that the public is heard before decisions are finalised.

✊ HELP US STRENGTHEN THIS CAMPAIGN
Thank you to everyone who has signed, shared the petition and raised these issues.

Our next objective remains 1,000 supporters.

Please share this petition with family, friends and anyone who believes that the future of Nevis should be shaped through transparency, accountability and informed public participation.

The Government says the process must work. We agree. But the public must be able to see how it works and what is being decided.

🇰🇳 NO RUSHED APPROVAL. NO BLIND TRUST. FULL TRANSPARENCY AND MEANINGFUL PUBLIC SCRUTINY.

The future of Nevis belongs to its people.