The Government of St Kitts and Nevis broke ground on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at C.A. Paul Southwell Industrial Park to construct a desalination plant.
This plant will be the second desalination plant undertaken by the Government of St Kitts and Nevis, with the first one on the verge of completion at the Canada Estate. When completely functional, it will improve the island nation’s water supply.
This groundbreaking ceremony was led by the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, and attended by several members of the Federal Cabinet, senior government officials, staff of the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, and other invited guests.
PM Drew also shared the ceremony photographs on his official Facebook page and confirmed the ceremony. He said that the Government broke ground on a 2-million-gallon desalination plant.
He says that this desalination plant, a necessary measure, costs about $50 million. Without it, the country would run out of water. The Government, therefore, had to prioritize.
The current water situation, characterized by decreased rainfall, rising temperatures, and saltwater intrusion into underground wells, directly results from the escalating climate crisis.
It is one of the reasons they need climate justice as a cost for climate adaptation and is unbearable for small island developing states.
PM Drew also posts on his social media about the previous Government’s failure to accomplish this. “The previous Government did absolutely nothing to increase water availability. It was a dismal failure,” says Dr. Drew, while promising to implement all measures that will help in tackling this issue in the Federation.
He says they acknowledge the last Government’s failure to take significant steps to address the water scarcity issue. This inaction has been a disappointment and a significant missed opportunity for our nation.
The public was pleased with ‘the PM’s initiative, and some people congratulated him and extended their well wishes through their comments. One person says it is epic, and he is sure the naysayers will soon discredit it. This is a great proactive move by the Government.
