**Basseterre, Saint Kitts — The Ministry of Sustainable Development categorically rejects and refutes the malicious and misleading statements currently being circulated by Mr Regiwell “Reggie” Francis, Managing Director of St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd, regarding the company’s use of Crown lands at the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development.
On Thursday, February 19, 2026, senior Government officials met with Mr Francis in a cordial engagement aimed at resolving longstanding issues concerning the regularisation of lands occupied by his company at the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development.
Despite the respectful tone of that meeting, the Ministry has since become aware of disinformation disseminated by Mr Francis that distorts the factual and legal position.
The public is therefore advised of the following facts:
* St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has been operating at the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development since approximately September 2006.
* The company occupied approximately 15.21 acres of Crown land for nearly twenty (20) years and now occupies approximately 26.68 acres, without paying rent.
* St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has constructed and utilized a seawall and berthing facilities on the adjacent seabed without entering into a seabed lease or paying rent for its use.
* In January 2021, the Ministry entered into a land purchase agreement with Mr. Regiwell Francis for 26.68 acres at a concessionary purchase price of EC$6,013,893.60 (EC$4.50 per square foot), subject to specific conditions, including completion within one year and other development obligations.
* The January 2021 agreement further provided that failure to complete the purchase within one year would trigger the standard purchase price of EC$7.00 per square foot and interest at 12% per annum.
* Despite occupying the full 26.68 acres for business operations, only a partial deposit of EC$50,000.00 was paid toward the purchase price in February 2021. No further payments have been made to the Government pursuant to that agreement.
* As at February 23, 2026, St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd owes the Government and people of Saint Kitts and Nevis EC$13,284,092.75 pursuant to the January 2021 agreement.
* The company has not confined its occupation to the agreed 26.68-acre parcel. Instead, it has encroached upon sixteen (16) adjacent commercial lots within the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development, to the detriment of other landowners who have complied with their obligations.
* St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has also filed two lawsuits against the Government in recent months seeking payment of storage and related fees for three (3) vessels stored at its boatyard, which is situated on Crown land.
These facts are documented in the official records of the Ministry and the Department of Lands & Surveys.
The Government’s current effort to regularize the aforementioned lands is neither arbitrary nor punitive. Although the January 2021 land purchase agreement was not fulfilled, the Government does not wish to disrupt the operations of St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd.
Instead, the Ministry has proposed a reasonable framework to regularize the company’s occupation of Crown land, including:
* A 10-year renewable lease for the 26.68 acres designated for occupation, at a rental rate to be negotiated, with a requirement that the area be properly fenced;
* A 10-year renewable seabed lease for the marine area currently utilized, at a rent of EC$4,000 per month; and
* Application of the EC$50,000 deposit paid in February 2021 toward rent under the lease arrangements to be negotiated by the parties.
The Ministry has also requested that St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd immediately vacate the sixteen (16) adjacent commercial lots within the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development that were allocated to other landowners.
This proposal reflects the Government’s responsibility to safeguard Crown lands while supporting continued economic activity.
Crown lands are public assets held in trust for the people of Saint Christopher and Nevis. No individual or company is entitled to occupy such lands indefinitely without lawful tenure or compensation to the State. The Ministry will not allow malicious disinformation to obscure this principle.
The Ministry of Sustainable Development remains committed to transparency, fairness, and the orderly development of the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development for the benefit of all citizens.