CPR calls for transparency on cruise port
(CNS): Now that government has announced that the Verdant Isle consortium led by local general contractors McAlpine has won the port project bid, the campaigners for a referendum have urged government to now answer the many open questions around this controversial proposal. Mario Rankin, one of the activists spearheading the campaign for a people’s vote, welcomed government’s acknowledgment of the petition and saying that no contract would be finalised until after it has been verified.
As of 27 July, over 66% of the petition signatures required to trigger a referendum had been verified, as more than 3,500 verification forms had been signed and returned to the Elections Office. With just 1,790 names to be confirmed from 2,135 signatures left to be verified, the campaigners remain confident that in a few weeks the document will be confirmed.
While the activists expect the petition to be successful, they also expected that government was going to announce a winning bidder, even though they had warned that moving the process on before the referendum process is complete puts the public purse at risk.
Rankin said that supporters of the petition should not be discouraged by the government’s announcement, especially as the verification process for the petition has moved more swiftly than expected and the people’s vote is now inevitable.
“The work that everybody put in has borne fruit and I am convinced that the verification process will be completed and that people will get their chance to vote on this in a referendum,” Rankin stated.
He and his fellow activists urged the government, now that it has finally acknowledged the petition for the people-initiated referendum, to reveal all at today’s press conference.
“It was now incumbent on government to reveal the full details about the cost of the project, how it will be funded and the revised designs,” Rankin added.
The activists are also keen to hear about the plans for a new environmental impact assessment. The grassroots movement said the community must be given the information so they can make an informed decision on this very substantial project, which will affect the marine environment, the public purse, the social fabric and quality of life, before the vote goes ahead.
Some of the most important questions they say must now be answered include the total cost, the details of the financing model, including cash, the numbers of cruise passengers involved, the revised designs, the environmental impact assessment process, and the geotechnical and other studies, any upland development, the complete job list, the final business case and government’s plans to manage what could be a three-year construction period.
Category: development, Local News, Politics
https://youtu.be/T5x23WqWya0 Watch the Gov’t for yourselves they answered all the questions. I feel confident to vote yes if it comes to a vote.
This Government lead by those willing to sell very pebble, strand of grass and puddle of water and anything else not nailed down in this THE CAYMAN ISLANDS are trying HARD to have the construction of this new port started before the signatures on the petition can be verified to prevent our right to a referendum.
There are so many whose pockets have been lined with OUR MONEY and so many with their heads stuck in the sand who really believe we will benefit from this new port.
Wake up!!
6.15pm You need to stop the propoganda. There was a press conference today where your allegations were shot down. Now look in your book of excuses and come up with a different one.In addition Govt announced on Friday that they would be delaying any contract signing until 1st October to give time for the verification process to be completed.
@ 9:57… YOU need to stop YOUR propaganda! Anyone who believes the drivel put out by some of our “leaders” is in need of a functioning brain.
This regime hasn’t enacted SIPL, a Constitutional requirement from a decade ago.
Is there hope for the Cruise Berthing project to succeed, here are some things to think about:
1. The process to this point has been long without details, but at last some crucial points that the loudmouth opponents felt would not be released have been released, along with planned release of further environmental studies to be made and released for public consumption. ( Expect the infamous detractor and his cohorts will put their spin on the details).
2. The rumors cast out by the detractor duo and crows of China Harbor being the preferred bidder haha what happened there boys were you fed disinformation so reminiscent of my job in the Service long time ago. Haha.
3. The cruise ships we have been told have a stake in the game, I would say a big steak so does their partnering contractors, therefore it is hard to explain how they will not make every effort to ensure the ultimate success of this venture for themselves yes as contractors and financiers but in greater r regard the people of the Cayman Islands will benefit from first class facilities, hopefully minimal damage to the environment and consistent revenue stream from the cruise ships who now are committed participants.
4. The expectation that the People’s Referendum Initiative would not be honored has been shattered completely, sorry guys you forgot who was the author of the inclusion of this important constitutional inclusion, your Nemesis the current Premier. What made you think he would be so stupid to recant on something as important to his legacy. I sincerely hope Detractors that all of your submitted signatures in the Referendum petition minus those you have declared as invalid are verifiable or there will be more egg on your face.
Congratulations to All who contributed to what appears to be a solid financial deal, now ensure that all other equally important aspects are covered so we can invite the Chief Detractor plus one and the followers to a nice barbecue at Rum Point.
Oh and detractor plus 1 and others who I’m sure will not like this post don’t worry about who he is , I ain’t nobody of consequence but I do love this country dearly and would give my life to save it if I so saw fit, don’t think that is in your genes.
I can’t wait to vote yes. Thanks for the extra holiday CPR. Well written.
I took the time to read all of your drivel, Mr. 7:05 am, and even though you seem to be well educated, you still don’t seem to know right from wrong. I believe your biggest problem is your love of money. You are either a paid bot for those wanting to get richer or one of those wanting to get richer. If I were a betting man I would say you are the latter.
I wish I were rich, but I wouldn’t sell out my fellow Caymanians just for money!
@10:34 AM I have been where you will never be. Unlike your infamous detractors I am of substance, don’t need anyone’s money and certainly don’t want yours if you hm have any. your silly little tirades are really wimpish to say the least. Tata childten!
My fellow Caymanian, do you have children attending Cayman’s public schools? Will the public school education that your children are receiving allow them to go to university? Will it allow them to become employed here at home in an occupation that will earn them a living wage? Will your children be able to compete in the job market against foreigners coming from abroad with degrees and professional qualifications? If your children aren’t receiving a world class education here at home (a world class education is now the standard, because your children will have to compete against people from all over the world who are competing for jobs in Cayman), then you should be insisting that our government leaders put their time, attention, and the public purse into fixing Cayman’s abysmal public education system FIRST, BEFORE spending hundreds of millions of dollars on cruise ship berths.
Any of you folk know people in Jamaica, Falmouth to be exact, you just ask them how that is working for them..
You people need to be doing some research. You’ve got the internet at your fingertips. Stop digging those holes to stick your head into and look at the outside world!
I’m serious. Make an informed opinion. Stop waiting on others to do it for you and stop believing ALL the propaganda.
DO YOUR RESEARCH!!!
We all know the “Brothers”, with their “Secret Handshake” are behind this project.
Just like it says when they are initiated “They are to give preferential treatment to their Brothers”.
Just look at all the top posts in Gov’t, Boards, Committees, Authorities.
Thats why the CIG CAN’T and WON’T ever pass the standards in life law.
We need to make them, or petition Governor to dissolve LA and call new elections.
There should be something as it relates to persons in Government not being allowed to be a member of ANY group where you swear an oath of allegiance.
How can someone who works for Government, who is supposed to be looking out for the Public’s interest, be expected to be impartial when the Government’s (ie:Public’s) interests differ from the interest’s of the group that the person has sworn allegiance to.
You basically have sworn allegiance to two masters. Who wins??
I guess who ever offers the most and best benefits??
That is a conflict of interest. Plain and simple.
Now I know there are some that will argue that the certain “Brotherhood” is above reproach and all that, but if they are all what they want the public to percieve them as then why all the “Secrets”? Why the “Oath” on pain of death not to divulge the “Secrets”?
Transparency in Government. When you are a Public Figure you can no longer be part of a “Secret” club…..
Does the winning bidder have to post feasibility, construction, closure, and reclamation bonds? Is there a CSR package for Caymanians? Are there comprehensive lifespan plans and schedules associated with each phase of project life? Who pays for tugging, ongoing dredging? Enviro mitigation plans? Water testing and marine surveys? Eventually this colossal project will arrive at a decommissioning date…when is that? We are going to need to see it all…
“We are going to need to see it all…”
ARE YOU KIDDING!!!
We are unlikely to get any truthful or bankable answers until SIPL Law is enacted. Let’s please steer the conversation back to that ASAP. Good governance is a Constitutional requirement.
Apply the new SIPL to the press (as well) and then, just maybe, we will get truthful and bankable answers!
CNS: I cannot speak to any other media but we have been very open about our ownership: Wendy and Nicky. No one else.
SIPL is a broad over reach into the past lives of public servants. Ever heard of a financial disclosure form?
A transparent berthing facility is going to cost a whole lot more than a regular one. Would be really cool though!
Wonder Woman’s jet is already parked there.
This is very important information. Thank you for your dilligence
How pathetic, 2:02 answering his own post 12:09. If you have any real facts then give your name and source; otherwise stop spreading malicious lies.
CIG is so screwed. McAlpine better not be banking on this. lol
We can only hope.
The Bahamians are fighting a similar development to preserve their natural environment… Greedy corrupt leaders all over the Caribbean!
https://www.stopdisney.com/
Commercial terms will remain privileged. Poor CPR too fool to accept it
Can’t wait to vote yes for this. Let’s move Cayman out of the 1960s please.
We should start with same sex marriage, not a port no one wants!
While we’re at it, legal cannabis too please. As much as I like travelling, I’m tired of having to fly out to legal places when I want to enjoy. The jamaican weed here is rubbish.. let a plant be grown for goodness sake.
Wrong. It’s all about where one can land one’s boat.
I’ll park my ship wherever I please now the wife’s finally gone.
Please start with legislation to allow marriage to by a man to more than one woman at a time.
We need to procreate more (whilst being legally married) in order to perpetuate humanity.
100,000 or bust!
How about some transparency around the procurement process particularly how limited was the solicitation method?
I would like to know how much control the government is going to allow the cruise lines over the new port? What sort of contract will be signed with them to protect the taxis and cruise operators against absolute authority to sell whatever tours that they want to!! Why I am asking, there are talks that even the beach will be presold on the ships and water taxis to accommodate them. Will it really benefit us the locals or the cruise lines? Ever heard of the cruise lines owners having a conscious for the locals!!! Be very careful as we may have a beautiful dock to accommodate the mega ships, but no income for the locals!! Just check when Royal Caribbean visits Cayman, they are 80% presold, leaving little or nothing for the local taxis.
Well that explains why the taxi drivers want more ships. If they’re only getting 20% of the business they need the business to increase by a lot. Never mind that the whole model is set up to screw them and everyone else other than the cruise lines and they’d be better off finding something else to do with their lives.
Taxis are getting 100%. There are no magic carpets for rent. 80% are prebooked. Why be against this convenience for tourists? Not everyone wants to haggle price with whatever taxi is next.
Aw, poor taxis. NOT
English please.
Huh? You must be a taxi driver considering your understanding of what constitutes the English language.
Exactly, having more passengers doesn’t always mean more opportunity for the people that live and work here. Every excursion, taxi trip, and even the marketing of where to shop is controlled by the cruise lines. If they are taking all the cream why are we willing to provide them more passenger access? Is it because we want to sell more tshirts, trinkets (jewelry sales ended years ago), and a few crumbs around sandbar trips and taxi rides for those that thought they would walk to 7mile? Maybe our government only sees more passengers means more taxes to fund the massive government staffing payroll?
If the government could tell me how this might benefit the people that live here I would support a new dock, but from what I see which is just expanding the status-quo it looks like a bad idea.
Increased revenue to government 4.02 means you can continue to live here without paying income tax….that could be said to be a benefit to the people who live here.
What difference does it make if they’re presold? People are still getting in the same taxis, right? Just wondering because I’ve never heard of this issue before.
The excursions, including transport, are pre-sold. The cruise lines book the trips with the lowest bidder, sometimes for as little as $10 per head while charging the cruise passengers $80 or $90. Who’s making the money? It’s not Caymanians…