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BROWNE DEMANDS ANSWERS OVER FORT THOMAS DEVELOPMENT, QUESTIONS NATIONAL TRUST ROLE AND WORKER CONDITIONS

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS — Social activist Dr. McCarta Browne has launched a blistering public challenge over the ongoing development at the historic Fort Thomas site, calling for immediate transparency from both the St. Christopher National Trust and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.In a strongly worded social media statement, Browne described the project as a “national disgrace” and questioned whether concerns previously raised about the protection of the heritage site have been adequately addressed.His intervention comes nearly a year after the St. Christopher National Trust itself publicly expressed concern over activities at Fort Thomas.In an October 16, 2025 press release, the Trust said the groundbreaking of the proposed “Symbol of Love” Monument and Museum had proceeded without prior consultation with the organisation. The Trust described Fort Thomas as a “multi-layered heritage site” and stressed that development there should respect historical integrity, community inclusion and cultural authenticity.Now Browne wants to know what changed.“While we were busy with SSZ and Destiny in Nevis, we allowed a national disgrace, in the name of development, to take place at our heritage site at Fort Thomas,” Browne wrote.He argued that while the Trust openly raised concerns in 2025, the public has received insufficient information about its present involvement in the development.Browne posed a series of pointed questions, including whether any senior official of the Trust signed documents supporting the project and whether such action reflected the position of the wider board.Those questions remain allegations and requests for clarification, and Times Caribbean has seen no independently verified evidence establishing that any Trust official acted improperly.Browne also raised questions about the architectural appearance of the development, using his own comparison to describe aspects of the structure. His criticism appeared focused on whether the design is appropriate for a nationally significant heritage site rather than on any religious community.He further questioned reports surrounding a proposed statue of the late Queen Elizabeth II near the site of a monument to National Hero Sir Robert Llewellyn Bradshaw, asking whether such a proposal had been approved and later abandoned after public objections. That claim has not been independently confirmed.But perhaps Browne’s strongest concerns centred on the welfare of foreign workers reportedly staying at the construction site.“Has the National Trust visited the site and witnessed the poor on-site living conditions of foreign workers?” he asked.He went further, questioning whether the conditions could amount to what he described as “slave-like working conditions.”No official labour inspection findings or independently verified evidence establishing unlawful working conditions were presented with Browne’s statement. The serious allegation therefore remains unverified, and any determination regarding compliance with labour or occupational standards would properly fall to the relevant authorities.Still, Browne says the questions demand answers.“The National Trust and the government owe the people an explanation about what is happening at Fort Thomas,” he declared.The controversy strikes at a wider national debate: How far should development be allowed to reshape historically important spaces, and who gets a say before major changes are made?The National Trust’s own 2025 statement appeared to recognise that tension.“The Trust is not opposed to development,” it said at the time, while insisting that projects on national heritage sites should be guided by consultation, respect for collective history and responsible stewardship.With construction now visibly advanced, Browne’s intervention is likely to intensify calls for clarity on the project’s approvals, design, heritage safeguards, worker accommodation and the precise role being played by the St. Christopher National Trust.For now, the questions are mounting.And the public is waiting for answers.