However, amidst reports of: Prime Minister Perry Christie becoming directly involved in the matter, the creation of an independent, autonomous body to oversee Junkanoo οΎ— with the National Junkanoo Committee possibly being phased out, a full-scale Cabinet discussion taking place, and a five-year agreement with the C3 company being reduced to one year, Culture Minister Neville Wisdom indicated that full details will be revealed today.
On Tuesday, at the scheduled 5 p.m. signing, which was also attended by invited Junkanoo leaders, Mr Wisdom, who is also reponsible for Youth and Sports, informed the press that the signing would take place today. However, when questioned on details regarding the arrangement with the Bahamian firm, C3 Seating Company Ltd. he remained silent.
“Shouldn’t there be a signing?” press representatives inquired.
“The contract is being signed tomorrow morning,” Mr Wisdom replied.
“Why was it pushed back?” a reporter asked.
“The signing was scheduled for this afternoon, but we just completed the contract, making the amendments to the contract and getting the approval of the Government, the Cabinet. I just came back from the Cabinet,” Mr. Wisdom responded.
The contract was approved, he said.
Asked whether the press would be invited to the contract signing today, a reluctant Mr Wisdom deferred the question to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary Harrison Thompson.
Press members were assured that a new time would be announced and a briefing held, with the media being notified, “first thing in the morning.”
Prepared text
Using a written text, Mr. Wisdom announced that the Government agreed to award the contract for seating, ticketing and marshalling to C3 Seating, and that “the necessary professional accounting systems and procedures will be put in place to safeguard and more accurately determine the potential of Junkanoo tickets proceeds when undertaken by an independent commercial firm instead of a government agency.”
PM gets involved
Stalled dialogue with Mr. Wisdom reportedly led to Junkanoo group leaders meeting with Prime Minister Perry Christie on Friday. At that time, they presented a proposal to him to allow an independent body separate from the ministry, to oversee the Christmas festival from a business and marketing angle.
Mr. Christie met with C3 Seating principals on Saturday. The results of that meeting were to be revealed at the contract signing.
A group leader, who was present for Friday’s meeting, told the Guardian that Mr. Christie appeared receptive to the proposal, and they would have until January to identify someone to head the proposed group.
Autonomous body
Mr. Wisdom confirmed that the proposal was discussed and that the autonomous body would be required to submit an annual report and audited accounts to be laid on the table of Parliament by himself.
The council, he continued, would be responsible also for all the arrangements relating to Junkanoo and the development and expansion of the entrepreneurial opportunities presented by the existence of a billion dollar tourism industry.
Asked whether the National Junkanoo Committee, which now serves as an adjunct to the ministry, would still exist, Mr. Wisdom said such discussions will begin in January.
With the creation of the new body, group leaders and Mr. Christie concurred that it made more sense to reduce the contract, which was initially set for five years, to one year, but the matter would have to be taken up with the seating company.
Asked how C3 Seating responded to the suggestion on Saturday, Mr. Wisdom assured that that would be revealed at the contract signing today.
“In the morning, once the contract is signed, further details would be explained on that area,” he said.
‘Transparency’ assurance
When members of the press gathered at the Churchill Building for the scheduled 1 p.m. signing on Tuesday, several prominent Junkanoo leaders, who were invited for the event, were observed chatting outside.
Asked whether group leaders were invited to today’s signing, Mr. Wisdom answered, “I just walked from Cabinet, into the car and came here. So, I really can’t…. I hadn’t had the opportunity.”
Calling for patience, he said, “I just want to ensure that there is a level of comfort, that there is full transparency in everything that is being done and full consultancy.”
Last year, Mr Wisdom encounterd severe criticism for his handling of the annual parades, particularly for the rental of bleachers for $1 million from a Canadian company. This year, the Opposition and Junkanooers have reiterated previous calls made for his resignation.
By Khashan Poitier, The Nassau Guardian
