Powering Progress: Prime Minister Drew Leads New Era of Land Ownership for Working Families

Basseterre, St. Kitts, October 16th, 2025 (PMO) – In a landmark affirmation of equity, dignity, and empowerment, Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Terrance M. Drew, today, October 16th, presided over the first of three land regularization handover ceremonies under the theme “Supporting Land Ownership Toward a Sustainable Island State.” 

Prime Minister Drew was joined by Hon. Konris Maynard, elected representative for the area, Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister with responsibility for Sustainable Development, and supported by members of the Federal Cabinet.

The event marked the formalization of land titles to long-standing residents and signal a renewed commitment to justice and inclusion in land policy.

The ceremony forms part of the government’s ongoing Squatter’s Regularization Project, L.A.N.D Initiative and Land Regularization processes, administered by the Ministry of Sustainable Development in collaboration with other ministries and the Department of Constituency Empowerment.

During his remarks, the Prime Minister invoked the historical roots of land ownership struggles under colonial and post-colonial rule. He reminded the gathering that “for far too long, too many of our people lived on land … land they did not legally own,” and that today, that weight is lifted.

“This is about economic empowerment”, the Prime Minister told the ecstatic recipients, noting that from today onward they are even more bankable than before. 

He emphasized that this is not mere symbolism, but justice in action, part of his government’s mission to “correct historical wrongs” and ensure that “progress touches people, families, and futures.”

Over the past years, the Drew-led government has intensified efforts to regularize informal settlements, and formalizing tenure for residents so they can enjoy the full rights and protections of land ownership. In 2023, the Ministry of Sustainable Development reaffirmed this path, stating that “Kittitians could enjoy their right to land and empowerment to such.” These efforts include resolving overlapping allocations, conducting detailed surveys, and working through legal processes to issue binding titles. 

Today’s ceremony represents the culmination of exhaustive technical, legal, and community engagement work. Each recipient received their legally binding land title, transforming their status from occupant to rightful owner. As the Prime Minister put it:

“Owning a piece of land is not just about the soil. It’s about belonging. It’s about stability. It’s about finally having the confidence to plan for tomorrow … to leave something behind for your children.”

The government calls this process economic empowerment in action,  the tangible conversion of land into a legacy and a foundation for generational wealth and growth.