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The Constitutional Reform Commission will find innovative ways to meet and speak with Barbadians as they go about the arduous task of reforming the country’s Constitution.

The assurance was given today by chairman of the commission, retired Justice Christopher Blackman, who said they were already planning to go out into the community to talk to people where they are most comfortable.

His comments have come following calls from leader of the Alliance Party for Progress, Reverend Joseph Atherley and political scientist Dr Kristina Hinds, for the 10-member commission to find other ways of communicating with Barbadians aside from townhall meetings.

Dr Hinds said that to utilize only townhall meetings would be doing “the bare minimum”, while Reverend Atherley recommended that the commission not wait on persons to come to them but also go out in the communities across Barbados.

In an interview with Barbados TODAY at the end of today’s official launch of the commission at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, Justice Blackman made it clear that the commission, which has been given an initial 18-month deadline to reform Barbados’ Constitution, had no intention of relying solely on townhall meetings to reach Barbadians.

He had earlier admitted that he had received a call from Reverend Atherley with some suggestions on how the commission could operate.

“Well we have to sit down and plan all of that but there are a number of initiatives we have in mind. For example, if the funds can be found and the structure can be put in place we will be interested in going out to Bridgetown Market and have a stall with a visual loop and people there to answer questions and talk to people. We will be willing to go and meet with church groups at their places, but that’s early days yet and we are not just going to be confined to townhall meetings,” Justice Blackman maintained.

“We will do whatever we can to get people and people must say what they like us to do. If you invite us we will come.”

Justice Blackman also revealed that Senator Gregory Nicholls had been elected as deputy chairman.

Additionally, he said attorney-at-law Sade Jemmott had been selected to serve on the management committee along with Senator Nicholls and the commission’s secretary Professor Cynthia Barrow Giles.

During the swearing-in ceremony at State House on Monday, Attorney General Dale Marshall indicated that it would cost close to $1 million to fund the commission.

However, he maintained money would not be a deterrent while indicating that the commission would also be granted an extension if necessary.
randybennett@barbadostoday.bb