St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew assured the people of St. Kitts and Nevis and confirmed that a two-million-gallon desalination plant, under his administration, is set to be completed by next year.
According to PM Drew, this will provide a much-needed water to the beloved people of St. Kitts and Nevis. It is a $50 million project that will also create several jobs and will boost the economy. He extended his gratitude to the Republic of China (Taiwan) for their partnership.
Reportedly, to fix the growing water woes, the government of St. Kitts and Nevis has made considerable investments into building and commissioning of desalination plants. The government aims to provide a continuous, reliable and sustainable supply of potable water of St. Kitts and Nevis, that served as a lifeline for residents and businesses across the Federation.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew recently visited the site of one of the plants which is currently under construction at the C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Site in Basseterre. He was joined by the Minister of Public Infrastructure and Water Services – Konris Maynard and representatives from Royal Utilities.
Dr. Drew said that they are fortunate. Every step of the way and every milestone has been met as per the contractual obligations. The work is progressing very well, and they are on schedule.
Minister Konris Maynard also reaffirmed the commitment of the government to tackle the water supply issues that have been exacerbated by climate change. He said that this is a major undertaking by the government.
He expressed that they are extremely grateful for receiving the unwavering support from the Prime Minister, Minister of Finance and the entire Cabinet of St. Kitts and Nevis in making this project a priority. He added that support received from the officials has been instrumental in ensuring to hit all the necessary targets continuously.
Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis acknowledged the current challenges faced by the residents, especially the water shortages caused by the ongoing impacts of climate change while the desalination plant will provide much-needed relief.
PM Drew explained that he understands the frustrations that many of them are going through due to the limited water supply and they are committed to resolving these issues.
The vision is to make sure that every citizen in St. Kitts and Nevis has access to potable water 24/7 and the desalination plant is a major step towards that goal, added Drew.
Minister Maynard also outlined some of the additional efforts that are being made and said that in addition to the desalination plant they are drilling the new wells around the island and conducted hydrogeological surveys using drones to identify potential new water sources. He highlighted that they are working on large storage tanks too, that will help in having ample supply of water available to the citizens.
Desalination plants are expected to be operational by the mid-2025, with full-scale water production that will commence by July 2025. The plant will ensure that the Basseterre region and surrounding areas will receive a consistent and reliable source of potable water 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
The plant will be a game-changer for St. Kitts and Nevis and will help in eliminating the current water shortages and will improve the overall quality of life for the people. The government is implementing a comprehensive system to further improve the distribution and efficiency of water delivery and ensures that it reaches every household and business in the Federation.
Government of St. Kitts and Nevis emphasized on water security and its dedication to address the climate crisis which is aligned with the Sustainable Island State Agenda (SISA) and focuses majorly on creating a sustainable and prosperous future for all citizens.
The desalination plant is about to be completed, and the government is super focused on making further improvements in water management across the Islands. They work collaboratively with local partners such as Royal Utilities and the Water Services Department to ensure the success of the transformative project.
Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew targeted the previous government for the water crises that the country is facing. He questioned them and clarified that the previous government had done nothing for the welfare of the nation.
For not solving the water crisis, PM Drew said that every day he hears the cries for water and wonders what the previous government has done with all the surpluses.