Trinidad-based construction firm NH International (Caribbean) Ltd. has entered its third decade of work in Saint Lucia, with three large-scale developments now underway across the island.
The company first partnered with Saint Lucia in the early 1990s and has been the driving force behind several major infrastructure projects over the years, including the Castries Multi-Storey Carpark, Bordelais Correctional Facility, and the Bank of Saint Lucia’s Bridge Street branch. Its early work also included the construction of the Terminal Building at Hewanorra International Airport — one of its first projects outside Trinidad and Tobago.
NH International’s current workload spans the justice, commercial, and aviation sectors, representing hundreds of millions of dollars in ongoing investment.
The EC$143 million Halls of Justice project, now under construction in the city of Castries, is one of the island’s largest public sector undertakings in decades. It aims to centralise Saint Lucia’s civil, criminal, and family courts under one roof, thus expecting to reduce delays in the justice system and improve accessibility for the public.
The development is being carried out under a Build-Own-Lease-Transfer (BOLT) arrangement between the Government of Saint Lucia and NH International. The government will lease the complex for about 12 years before assuming ownership for a nominal fee.
The multi-storey facility will include 14 courtrooms, judges’ chambers, and a law library. NH International has also committed to using local subcontractors and tradespeople during the build.
Speaking at the project’s launch, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, described the development as “long overdue” and said it would “bring dignity to the justice system.”
In the north of the island, work continues on Phase 1A of the Rodney Bay City Centre, a mixed-use commercial development in Gros Islet.
The four-storey, 71 947 square-foot building will house Republic Bank’s northern offices along with retail outlets, restaurants, and a new waterfront boardwalk. The project also includes parking for more than 120 vehicles and a small jetty.
NH International signed a US$19.4 million contract for the project in 2024. Construction began late that year and is expected to conclude by mid-2025.
Once completed, the development will form part of a wider effort to revitalise Rodney Bay as a commercial and social hub for Saint Lucia’s north.
NH International is leading the construction of a new air traffic control tower at Hewanorra International Airport in Vieux Fort, in partnership with Aeronav Canada.
The 100-foot structure, which will replace the ageing existing tower, forms part of the Saint Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority’s (SLASPA) wider airport redevelopment plan. The project includes a 45-foot annex, mechanical and electrical installations, and interior finishes.
According to SLASPA officials, the upgraded tower is intended to improve aviation safety and bring the island’s air traffic management systems in line with international standards.
While NH International is headquartered in Trinidad, its relationship with Saint Lucia has steadily expanded over the past 30 years. The company has consistently employed local subcontractors, engineers, and suppliers on its projects and has provided training opportunities for Saint Lucian workers.
With multiple high-profile projects underway simultaneously, NH International’s presence on the island remains significant. The firm’s involvement in the Halls of Justice, Rodney Bay City Centre, and Hewanorra Airport tower cements its position as one of Saint Lucia’s leading foreign contractors.
IS NIPRO DEAD!!!
The National Insurance Property Development and Management Company Ltd. (NIPRO) was established as a subsidiary of the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) to serve as a local investment and property development vehicle. Its mandate was to manage NIC’s real estate assets and participate in national infrastructure projects—such as police and fire stations—through Build–Own–Lease–Transfer (BOLT) arrangements.
This model offered key benefits:
Local investment retention: Ensured NIC’s funds, derived from Saint Lucian workers and employers, were reinvested within the country. Sustainable income: Generated rental revenue for NIC through government leases until project transfer. Job creation and skills development: Supported local employment and technical expertise. Financial independence: Reduced reliance on foreign developers and external loans.
While NIPRO remains legally owned by NIC, its functional role depends on government commitment to engage it as the preferred developer for public infrastructure. When government agencies bypass NIPRO in favour of foreign or private investors, the company’s purpose is undermined—not from incapacity, but from lack of empowerment.
To realign with NIPRO’s founding intent and strengthen national development, the following actions are essential: Reaffirm NIPRO’s mandate through policy or legislative reinforcement. Prioritize NIPRO for government BOLT and infrastructure projects where NIC funding is viable. Enhance transparency in project selection and financing decisions. Promote public awareness that responsible local investment of NIC funds directly benefits Saint Lucians.
Given NIPRO’s original purpose, the government’s choice to engage a foreign developer instead of NIPRO must be questioned. Saint Lucians deserve an explanation — a transparent, justified reason why foreign investors are preferred over a local institution built precisely for this role. If we continue sidelining NIPRO, we risk undermining not only the financial strength of the NIC but also the principle of keeping Saint Lucian money working for Saint Lucians.
So, we must ask — is NIPRO dead, or has it simply been buried alive by political neglect?
Great reporting. Please correct the end date of the project.