Government came under heavy criticism yesterday for spending $1 million in rental fees for bleachers that will be used for the four Junkanoo events over Christmas and New Year’s.
A Canadian crew is now in Nassau erecting the bleachers in the Cable Beach area for the Junior Junkanoo and float parades.
Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, Neville Wisdom said that under his ministry’s present plan the bleachers are expected to yield mor ethan a half million dollars in profits,
However, FNM leader Tommy Turnquest raised concerns about the high cost of the rental and said he hopes it does not add up to a loss in revenue.
According to information given to The Tribune, the seating and labour contract signed between Tower Events Ltd of Canada and Mr. Wisdom was done on October 28.
It was also alleged that it was signed without prior Cabinet approval.
When asked if this allegation was correct, the minister said that there should be no questioon about his commitment to maintaining his and the ministry’s integrity. He did not specifically answer the question as to whetehr there had been Cabinet approval.
According to his ministry’s estimates, it is possible to accommodate 60,000 persons for both of the major parades. In the last Junkanoo season 12,000 seats were not sold.
Under the current ministry’s plan there will be 15,000 seats on each parade on Bay Street for a total of 30,000 seats.
“So we would be meeting half of the demand of what we really have.”
Concerns were also raised about the cost of bonded insurance and shipping responsibilities. It was estimated that the insurance was $4.5 million.
However, Mr. Wisdom said that Tower and Tropical Shipping were able to “deeply discount” their charges to transport the bleachers here.
After the season Mr. Wisdom said they would be able to double the prize and seed money.
By Rupert Missick, The Tribune
