Ministry of Sustainable Development Categorically Refutes Disinformation Being Spread by Managing Director of St Kitts Marine Works Ltd

Basseterre, Saint Kitts, February 23, 2026—The Ministry of Sustainable Development categorically rejects and refutes the malicious and misleading statements presently 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 officials of the Government met with Mr. Francis in a cordial engagement aimed at resolving longstanding issues concerning the regularization 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 being disseminated by Mr. Francis which distorts the factual and legal position.

The public is therefore advised of the following facts:

• St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has been operating its business at New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development since approximately September 2006.
• St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has occupied approximately 15.21 acres of Crown land for nearly twenty (20) years and now occupies approximately 26.68 acres of Crown land, without paying rent for the land.
• St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has also constructed and utilized a seawall and berthing facilities on the adjacent seabed without entering into any seabed lease or paying rent for use of the seabed.
• 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 regular purchase price of EC$7.00 per square foot and interest at 12% per annum.
• Despite occupying an entire 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 money was paid to the Government pursuant to the January 2021 agreement.
• St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd therefore owes the Government and People of Saint Kitts and Nevis EC$13,284,092.75 as at February 23, 2026 pursuant to the January 2021 agreement.
• Further, St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has not only occupied the 26.68 acres parcel agreed to be allocated. Instead, it has encroached on some of sixteen (16) adjacent commercial lots which were allocated within the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development, to the detriment of those other landowners who have complied with their obligations.
• St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd has also sued the Government twice in recent months to seek payment of storage and related fees for three (3) vessels stored at its boatyard, which sits on Crown Land.

These facts are documented in the official records of the Ministry and the Department of Lands & Surveys.

The Government’s current position to seek regularisation of the aforesaid lands is neither arbitrary nor punitive. Despite the January 2021 land purchase agreement not being 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 St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd’s Crown Land occupation status, including the offer of:

• a 10-year renewable lease for the 26.68 acres designated for occupation at a rental rate to be negotiated, with the requirement to fence the said 26.68 acres;
• a 10-year renewable seabed lease for the marine area presently utilized at a rent of EC$4,000 per month; and
• application of the EC$50,000 deposit made in February 2021 toward rent under lease arrangements to be negotiated by the parties.

The Ministry has also asked St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd to immediately vacate the sixteen (16) adjacent commercial lots which were allocated within the New Guinea Industrial & Commercial Development, 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 permit 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.

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