The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST

Tribune Chief Reporter

aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday called on the government to take whatever steps necessary to ensure the $650,000 seed money invested in the stalled Caribbean Muzik Festival was recouped, and its organisers prosecuted.

“The fact of the matter is that we, the Bahamian people, as we always do, will have to pay this money back,” he said.

“The good minister (of tourism) is encouraged to take whatever steps necessary to recoup the Bahamian people’s money and bring those who took it to justice.”

Mr McCartney questioned whether the Ministry of Tourism sponsored the festival while political colleagues were part owners.

The festival is produced and promoted by a company called Caribbean Republic Inc.

The government will not provide additional funding to the organisers of the stalled festival, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe confirmed yesterday.

Mr Wilchcombe said although he was optimistic that the group will fulfil its obligations, organisers will have to raise additional funding alone. The Ministry of Tourism is the event’s biggest sponsor, having invested $650,000 in the four-day festival that was cut short by two nights last year.

“I’m still optimistic that the group who has spearheaded this event will step forward and fulfil the obligation to the agreement made,” Mr Wilchcombe said.

“We expect this group of distinguished professionals to raise whatever additional funding is required to fulfil the obligation. The government will not. I must say the idea is a great one and does have enormous potential to the Bahamian culture while becoming the gateway to Caribbean music. The objective is to cause for global proliferation of the sounds of The Bahamas.”

The event was intended to become a part of the government’s efforts to fill the Bahamian calendar with musical and sporting events that would promote culture, encourage commerce and put a spotlight on the country’s tourism products all year round.

In a statement endorsing the festival ahead of its start on October 28, 2015 Prime Minister Perry Christie said the event would “serve to deepen our cultural identity, improve our tourism product and secure our region’s position as a premier destination or cultural and heritage tourism.”

The four-day festival was scheduled to take place from October 28 to October 31, 2015 but was postponed after two nights of activity.

Organisers have taken legal action against two Florida-based suppliers for allegedly defaulting on undertakings to supply stage and sound equipment, ultimately forcing the postponement of the final two nights of the event.

Confirmed performers for the event included nearly 30 artists, including the Soweto Gospel Choir, Lady Saw, Kes the Band, Alison Hinds and such Bahamian artists as KB, Ira Storr and Funky D.

Last week, festival organiser Desmond Edwards told The Nassau Guardian that the Ministry of Tourism’s seed money had been exhausted to pay for music artists and their travel expenses. Mr Edwards maintained that all of the expenses were documented, and that the group was waiting for Mr Wilchcombe to speak before going forward with a new festival date.

Yesterday, Mr Wilchcombe said organisers have not identified a new date for the event.