May 30, 2019
(CMR) As the Cruise Port Referendum Cayman (CPR) group prepares for a public meeting this evening it has been announced that the final bids from companies vying to construct the cruise berthing pier facility are due to be submitted to the Cayman Islands Government tomorrow.
The Ministry of Tourism issued a statement earlier today that the final bids are due to tomorrow and that this marks the successful completion of another significant milestone for the project's procurement process. The announcement comes on the same day that CPR is hosting a two hour meeting to discuss the pending referendum and the way forward now that they have acquired the necessary 25% of registered voters required to trigger a people initiated referendum pursuant to section 70 of the Cayman Islands Constitution.
Having acknowledged last week that they have exceeded and verified over 5,300 signatures we understand that they will be seeking guidance from the election's office on the way forward in this matter. Additionally, they will be presenting the signatures to the Governor in due course.
The meeting which starts at 6:00 pm will have the Elections Supervisor Mr. Wesley Howell and historian and author Mr Roy Bodden as guest speakers. They had invited DoE Director Gina Ebanks-Petrie to attend. However, Chief Officer Jennifer Ahearn has indicated that she did not feel it was necessary for her to attend. Responding to an email from CPR organizer Johann Moxam, she stated:
“We therefore do not feel that any new information would come from her attending your meeting,” the chief officer wrote. “Should you have specific questions that you would like to pose to her, she will be happy to respond in writing. Additionally, the Environmental Assessment Board expects that there will be public consultation on the proposed Terms of Reference for the EIA for the revised project. That will present a better opportunity for your group to learn more about the project and the EIA process going forward.”
Moxam replied that she would be answering general questions to support greater public awareness and understanding of the EIA process given the technical and complex nature of the matter.
Despite announcing that they have already exceeding the threshold petition booklets are still available at numerous businesses around the island including:
Rubis Savannah
Four Winds Esso – WB
Hell Gas Station – WB
Silhouette – Camana Bay
Pure Art – GT
Cathy Church Photo Centre – GT
The meeting will be held this evening at the George Town Town Hall from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.
For more information visit the CPR Cayman's Facebook page or call 327-5411 or via email [email protected]. Refreshments will be served at this evenings event.
Cayman Marl Road will be live streaming the event to our Facebook page this evening in lieu of our regular Thursday evening podcast show.
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