Prime Minister Drew Continues International Travel with Large Delegation Visit to Nigeria

The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew, embarked on a trip to Abuja, Nigeria, for the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit, accompanied by a sizable delegation of approximately 15 individuals. This latest instance of extensive international travel has ignited public debate regarding the trip’s cost, the large number of delegates, and the potential benefits for the Federation. The stated objective of the summit is to foster stronger economic and cultural links between Africa and the Caribbean. However, the inclusion of spouses, close associates, and family members of government officials within the delegation has fueled criticism and raised concerns about the responsible use of public funds.

The delegation accompanying Prime Minister Drew includes Premier of Nevis Mark Brantley, Minister of Agriculture Samal Duggins, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Marcus Natta, Permanent Secretary in the PM’s Office Naeemah Hazelle (along with her mother, Ambassador Roslyn Hazelle), Citizenship by Investment Unit Executive Chairman H.E. Calvin St. Juste, Ambassador Larry Vaughan, Press Secretary Javon Liburd, Director of the Creative Economy Roberitine Webbe, Executive Director of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Sanya Alleyne, a security detail member, and a personal assistant or aide. The anticipated arrival of Foreign Minister and Minister of Investment Dr. Denzil Douglas in Nigeria will further augment the delegation’s size and associated expenses, intensifying public scrutiny of government spending priorities.

While the government maintains that the summit is crucial for bolstering investment and trade partnerships, previous overseas missions have failed to produce tangible outcomes for St. Kitts and Nevis. This lack of demonstrable results has led citizens and critics to question the true purpose of the trip, speculating whether it will genuinely benefit the nation or simply serve as another lavish diplomatic excursion at taxpayers’ expense. The absence of transparency regarding the trip’s cost, coupled with the lack of evidence of substantial returns from prior trips, contributes to mounting public skepticism.

The central question revolves around the potential benefits of this trip versus its considerable cost. Will the summit result in concrete agreements and investments that positively impact St. Kitts and Nevis, or will it prove to be another expensive diplomatic exercise with limited practical outcomes? The government’s justification for the large delegation size and the inclusion of family members and associates remains unclear, further fueling public suspicion. A comparative analysis of the costs and benefits of similar past trips could provide valuable context for assessing the potential value of this particular mission.

A crucial aspect missing from the current narrative is concrete information about the expected outcomes of the summit. What specific agreements or partnerships does the government hope to secure? What are the measurable goals for this trip, and how will success be evaluated? Providing clear answers to these questions would help address public concerns and demonstrate a commitment to transparency and accountability. Furthermore, disclosing the total cost of the trip, including airfare, accommodation, per diems, and other expenses, would allow for a more informed public discussion about the responsible use of taxpayer money.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister’s trip to Nigeria for the Afri-Caribbean Investment Summit has raised significant questions about the government’s spending priorities and the potential benefits of such large-scale diplomatic missions. The lack of transparency regarding the trip’s cost and the inclusion of family members and associates in the delegation have fueled public skepticism. The government’s assertion that the summit will strengthen investment and trade partnerships needs to be substantiated by concrete outcomes and measurable results. Only time will tell whether this trip will prove to be a valuable investment in the future of St. Kitts and Nevis or another expensive diplomatic excursion with limited tangible benefits for the Federation.