At the 50th Heads of Government Meeting of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), hosted in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Prime Minister Terrance Drew delivered more than a regional address. He offered a case study in political maturity.
As Chair of CARICOM, Dr. Drew spoke about energy security, food sovereignty, and regional integration. But it was his remarks on geothermal development at home that stood out. Energy security, he noted, demands “coordinated ambition”.
He noted that for small island developing states, dependence on imported fossil fuels exposes economies to global volatility. He added that transitioning to renewable energy is not merely optional but essential.
He noted that in his twin-island republic, Saint Kitts and Nevis’ transition is making headway. The government is preparing to commence geothermal drilling. Dr. Drew credited Dominica in informing his country’s movement toward this alternative energy source.
Prime Minister Drew publicly acknowledged the collaboration between his administration and the Leader of the Opposition and Premier of Nevis, Mark Brantley. Despite occupying opposite sides of the political aisle, both leaders recognized geothermal energy as a national imperative.
“When the national interest is clear, togetherness must prevail. When I initially take office and I met with the leader of the opposition who is the premier of Nevis, I said to him: “we have differing political views. As a matter of fact, I am on the government side and you’re on the opposition side. But there’s a resource in the federation that can liberate our federation and help us to become energy independent and transform us as a people.”
He continued, “I think at the heart of everything. You want better for your people, and I want better for the people of the federation. And I’m willing to set all political differences aside so that we can treat the issue of geothermal and energy independence as a national aspect that we can forge together. And I want to say to the Leader of the opposition and Premier of Nevis, the honourable Mark Brantley: thank you for your collaboration and cooperation.”
