The Deputy Governor, Hon. Franz Manderson, on Thursday confirmed that public servants are permitted to sign the current petition for a people’s initiated referendum regarding the proposed cruise berthing facility.

The Deputy Governor referred organisers of the Cruise Port Referendum Petition to a 2012 Policy in respect of the Signing of Petitions by Public Servants which outlines the procedures and requirements for public servants to sign petitions.

However, he clarified to organisers that senior civil servants that are directly involved with policymaking and/or public servants directly involved with work related to the CBF are prohibited from participating in the petition.

As per the policy which has been attached herein, petitions addressed to Cabinet with the intention of triggering a People’s Initiated Referendum are classified as Class 2 Petitions. Under paragraph 6.5, public servants are permitted to sign Class Two petitions subject to the requirements for notification under paragraph 7 and continued adherence to the Civil Service Values and Code of Conduct.

The organisers are grateful to the Deputy Governor for his clarification on the matter and encourage public servants interested in signing the petition to review the policy to ensure compliance. We have attached the circular to this press release for ease of reference.

The referenced petition is a grassroots initiative by concerned citizens who believe that the issue of the proposed Cruise Berthing Facility (CBF) is a matter of national importance and the financial, socio-economic and environmental costs should be examined and weighed carefully by the people of the Cayman Islands.

The aim of this petition is to satisfy section 70 of the Cayman Islands Constitution (2009) to start a people-initiated referendum, via petition, on whether the country should move forward with the proposed Cruise Berthing Facility in George Town Harbour.

Volunteers will be at locations island-wide collecting signatures in the weeks ahead and signing booklets are available at various businesses around Cayman: Esso ‘Bar Cam’ Prospect, Four Winds Esso West Bay, and at Pure Art and Cathy Church Photo Centre in George Town. Organisers encourage those persons not registered to vote, but interested in participating to register themselves. More information can be found at facebook.com/cprcayman. Persons may also contact [email protected] for further assistance.