ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — Antigua and Barbuda says it has adopted a three-month programme aimed at re-energising the public education campaign ahead of the referendum on the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) following the carnival activities.

The National Coordinating Committee (NCC) said it has worked with the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC) in adopting the three-month programme.

“We did not want to compete with the 60th Carnival as we felt it was an important rendition of our summer festival. Instead, we decided to intensify our activities immediately after the festivities. This second phase of our campaign will be all-inclusive and broad-based, as we shall not leave any stone unturned,” said NCC chairman, Ambassador Dr Clarence Henry.

Earlier this year, Antigua and Barbuda launched the public education programme as the country is to decide whether to retain the London-based Privy Council as its final court or have it replaced by the Trinidad-based CCJ, which was established in 2001.

The CCJ, which also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas that governs the regional integration movement, also has an original and appellate jurisdiction.

But while many of the Caricom countries have signed on to the original jurisdiction, only Barbados, Belize, Dominica, and Guyana are signatories to the appellate jurisdiction.

Henry described the new programme as “quite comprehensive” and will include townhall meetings, visits to Barbuda, radio and television appearances, newspaper articles, as well as the launch of the NCC website.

“It is important for us to engage the stakeholders and the general public as it is crucial that this sensitisation/public education campaign is intensified. We are encouraging all registered electors to participate.

“Accordingly, we will return to the airwaves, begin in earnest the town-hall meetings as part of an active road-show covering the length and breadth of Antigua and Barbuda,” he added.

The NCC Chairman said the exercise is a necessary step ahead of the referendum and is urging the general population to ensure that they are informed of the issues surrounding the CCJ.