Several major Junkanoo groups plan to present the Ministry of Youth, Sports And Culture with an ultimatum, a well placed source told The Tribune.
At an emergency meeting Monday night, Junkanoo leaders huddled to discuss what they were going to do about the recent announcement that a private company, C3, had been granted a five year contract to provide the tickets and bleachers for the parades.
The ultimatum: “Reconsider the C3 contract or we will not participate in Junkanoo.”
According to the source about five of the major Junkanoo groups met.
If they go ahead withthe threatened action, it could mean the collapse of the 2003/2004 parades.
Harrison Thompson, the minister’s permanent secretary said he too, was informed of a meeting between the Junkanoo heads.
He said the minister plans to meet with them to hear their concerns, but could not set a time yet.
An anonymous email sent to The Tribune alleged that C3 never went through the tenders process.
“There were five bids – Cyber, Tripoint (which was awarded last season’s contract), RND, Tajiz and Print Publishers. There were not six bids,” the informant claimed. The source also claimed that the C3 agreement was entered into a “long time ago”.
By Felicty Ingraham, The Tribune
