The Tribune

By KHRISNA VIRGIL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas National Festival Commission yesterday appealed to the hundreds of workers who were mobilised during the 2015 Junkanoo Carnival season for understanding, as officials are now processing payments for staff “in compliance with standard government procedures”.

The commission’s statement on outstanding payments read: “During the three-day event, we mobilised hundreds of Bahamians who diligently offered their time to ensure all Junkanoo Carnival patrons had a truly enriching experience.

“Presently, we are processing payments in compliance with standard government procedures and we are working tirelessly to ensure the process is completed as quickly as possible.

“Our staff will be calling all of our Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival 2015 workers with times for pickup for their cheques once the process is complete. We appeal for understanding as we work to ensure everyone is compensated for their contributions.”

The statement continued: “The Bahamas National Festival Commission would like to thank the many workers and suppliers who contributed their time, efforts and services to make the inaugural Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival season (2015) a successful event. Without the hard work of volunteers, paid staff and contracts, the event would not have been the resounding success that it was.”

The statement was released a day after some food vendors accused the commission of “unfair” and “preferential treatment.” The accusations were made after Paul Major, the commission’s chairman, said only certain vendors might be compensated for their losses during the three-day event.

However, it is now unclear whether those vendors will be reimbursed, with Mr Major suggesting yesterday that depends on whether the commission has the money to do so.

Earlier this week, Mr Major said officials were considering refunding vendors’ booth rent of $450 along with factoring in some kind of compensation for the loss of goods.

However, Mr Major was on the defensive yesterday when contacted again by The Tribune saying: “Look, if the commission has the money to repay the vendors they will be paid. But I am not getting into a back and forth with these vendors in the media. I have said all I am going to say on this.”

However, a government source has said that the Christie administration has no intention to give approval for any of the vendors to be reimbursed.

Asked when the commission would be able to produce evidence of the carnival’s economic contribution to the country, Mr Major said he promised the figures would be ready in 21 days from the event’s wrap up. He said that was still the case.

The Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association said yesterday it was still trying to gather information from the top 16 hotels in the country on how carnival affected them.

Mr Major has previously said he expected carnival to inject $50m to $60m in the local economy.

Several vendors have told The Tribune that Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was the “biggest financial disappointment” of their lives.

Cherisse Lewis claimed on Wednesday that despite providing photographic evidence to the commission of wasted goods and low volumes of customers, officials have said the zone where she was set up will not be compensated.

Ms Lewis was stationed in zone three, selling all natural fruit/vegetable juices with the hope of seeing substantial profits from the $4,000 she spent to prepare for the three-day event. Ms Lewis said the commission told vendors to ready themselves for around 80,000 to 100,000 visitors to the site.

Another vendor, Ingrid Forbes, said she became extremely depressed about the way the event turned out for her, as she is unemployed.

She spent a total of $2,000 to buy the supplies she would need, but claimed that she only pocketed $25 from the event.