Some of the Christmas decorations up near Arawak Cay. Photo: Aaron Davis
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A COMPANY owned by former Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Neville Wisdom has been given a contract to erect Christmas decorations in downtown Nassau and Arawak Cay, as the ministry prepares to launch a series of holiday themed events to attract Bahamians and tourists to the area.
The Christmas decorations are provided by Florarama, a company owned by Mr Wisdom, who served in the first Christie administration.
When questioned by The Tribune yesterday, Mr Wisdom did not reveal how much the contract is worth, but he emphasised that numerous Bahamians are being employed to help outfit the area and to design the decorations.
The extravagant display, however, has prompted criticism from some.
Yesterday, Free National Movement East Grand Bahama MP Peter Turnquest said: “Didn’t we just have to borrow millions? Where are they getting the money from?”
Others have criticised the aesthetics of the display on social media, calling the decorations a “catastrophe.”
“I passed through there this morning... they look horrible,” one resident wrote on Facebook.
Another person wrote: “They spent all the VAT money. That’s all they could afford.”
In a press release yesterday, the Ministry of Tourism said decorations will remain in Pompey Square all month, “giving locals and visitors a great opportunity to take the family out for photos and fun”.
“The festive display,” the ministry said, “will run from Bay Street to the Bahamian Christmas village on Arawak Cay where the Ministry of Tourism will host ‘Christmas on Da Cay’ every week in December.”
Arelene Ferguson, director of culture and heritage tourism, said: “The Ministry of Tourism saw the opportunity to lift spirits around the country after a devastating hurricane and we moved on it. This holiday season we hope to spread a little joy and remind Bahamians of the true meaning of Christmas. At the same time we are exposing visitors to an authentic Bahamian Christmas experience while stimulating the economy.”
“Bahamian artisans from around The Islands of The Bahamas are looking forward to great business in the Christmas village and cultural performers are looking forward to putting on a good show. We invite everyone to come and experience ‘Christmas at Da Cay.’”
Events will take place in the designated areas every weekday. For example, the first 100 children in the area will get to choose a gift from under the Christmas tree each evening.
In addition, the village at Arawak Cay will feature various entertainment events, including gospel music performances and Junkanoo events.
“The Ministry of Tourism wraps up its Christmas celebrations on the eve of Christmas Eve. On December 23 all roads lead to the Thomas A Robinson Stadium for the most exciting Christmas football game, the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.”
The ministry will hold a special tree lighting ceremony and the unveiling of Christmas decorations Thursday at 6pm.
Comments
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
Who paid for that crap?. Please take those things down, stop insulting these majestic trees with foolishness, first political propaganda and now this. Jesus is not pleased
HarryWyckoff 8 years ago
Um, the people of this nation paid for it.
This is our VAT money and import duties hard at work.
You can be sure the contact Wisdom got was at least a million, so he pocketed $999,995 out of this. And probably got a discount on the $5 of shite he actually bought from the Chinese.
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
I love the Bahamas but just because something is made of straw, sisal or androsia it does not automatically become beautiful. Please take this down. It's awful. Trials are fine, it did not work, admit it did not work, learn from it and move on, but to tag this as "Bahamian" design is insulting. This is NOT AN OUNCE OF DESIGN. I hope they didn't get the job to dress baby Jesus.
SP 8 years ago
................................................. LOL .....................................................
Voltaire 8 years ago
And why why why does Neville Wisdom of all people get this contract? How much is it costing the Bahamian people? We have no money to pay public service nurses but we can give an incompetent former PLP Cabinet minister, who already lost us millions on the junkanoo bleacher fiasco, money for this foolishness? How one earth does Neville Wisdom qualify for this job? He runs a jewellery shop for God sake!
gangof4 8 years ago
Flower not jewellery, but yeah, you're 100% correct.
banker 8 years ago
Looks like a ten year old (or birdie or a whiskey-drunken Tal) designed them.
TalRussell 8 years ago
Comrades! In case you haven't heard it's nearly Christmas and your PLP government have taken your VAT dollars to give you a healthily financial interest in someone's bad imagination of straw festive tree skirts. But wait cause there's more. If your PLP government haven't done so already it's highly likely there's more of your VAT dollars to end in the pockets from an un tendered contract that will go out to benefit another well- connected PLP to decorate them ugly straw skirts with Christmas tinsels and "Stars of Christie" for top each tree.
I am laughing cause I was denied another chance make this crazy stuff up. But I will add, the use peoples VAT dollars for Christmas work programs for the PLP connected.
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…
ashley14 8 years ago
You might occasionally see trees wrapped in the states but it's to stop wild life from climbing the tree. If I had of saw it that's what I would of thought. Not decoration.
Islandboy242242 8 years ago
Gross. Looks like trees with Spanx on. I'm wondering if this is some sort of tree wrap designed just for The Bahamas since I couldn't find anything similar online...what a waste...
birdiestrachan 8 years ago
Mr: Wisdom has every right to earn a living in the Bahamas. having said that, I am not to sure about the decorations.
Abaconian 8 years ago
he has every right to earn a living yes, but dont you think it fishy that the gov. awarded a former plp minister the contract? That's the problem with this country and this sums it all up. Here we have an example of a crony contract which ended up in a terrible job done and a waste of money. They probably could have given the contract to one of the many creative artistic people in this country who would have surely done a much better job.. but no.. let's give it to our boy former minister. It looks terrible.
banker 8 years ago
There are contracks and then there are contracks. But these vulgar things by Neville WhizDumb are crimes against good taste, humanity and Christmas.
TalRussell 8 years ago
Comrade Wisdom is free seek-out and to financially benefit from all the private contracts he can win, just not from the peoples VAT funded government contracts that we need know if his company won via a bidding process, or was given? But then again, I seriously doubt there would have been two skirt bidders in we Bahamaland?
"Only the very best Chinese imported skirts our peoples VAT moneys can buy to wrap around Bahamaland's trees, you say? Pity our picture taking tourists thinking our Xmas native decorations are pretty damn cheesy..." Someone please pour your Comrade another shot whisky.
John 8 years ago
Maybe they will look better after a few drinks...and after you pass out.
The_Oracle 8 years ago
Looks like crap. Stupidest thing i've seen. But not surprised.
TalRussell 8 years ago
Comrade, an example where Wisdom called for not spending the peoples VAT moneys but to have gathered together some free Croker Sacks for wrapping around we trees. God knows we has lots Croker Sacks that we done imported we potatoes and things in. The tourists would have gone picturing taking bananas for island memories of our beloved Croker Sacks.
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
Seriously, what the hell is that??? It looks like a granny panty around the tree...see the holes right there. Did they have to present any samples before the contract was granted? I HOPE they don't bring tourists to Arawak cay and make a big deal about "Bahamian" "designers". Begging ministry of tourism to take those horrid things down. Let's march!!!
TalRussell 8 years ago
Comrade ThisIsOurs, stop being so cheap with your Granny's panties. Sweet Jesus, how old is those Granny panties....old as your Granny been an adult? Hope you didn't buy them from the used panties store on East Street...imported used from China.
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
Lol. Crocus sack, that's how old
gangof4 8 years ago
In the run-up to the general election next year, the PLP have informed any business or entity receiving funds from the government that they MUST use PLP supporters & friends if they contract out the work. At the same time, only PLP members (both old and current) and supporters will be receiving contracts that are awarded directly by the government.
In other words, the beneficiaries of any work that is being paid for by the Bahamian taxpayer will only be those persons affiliated to the PLP party.
And they telling you that straight.......
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
Remember when Wisdom cut down the ancient tree on Shirley Street so people on the bleachers could have a better view at Junkanoo? This decision is right in line with that. #grannypantiesfortrees.
Emac 8 years ago
LOL ThisIsOurs, you're on fire! But yinna don't look like yinna appreciate abstract art tho. Who knows, maybe it's prettier at night LMAO!
banker 8 years ago
The tree wraps look like ole Neville Wisdumb stole the petticoats off Mother Millie Sands, the Bush Tea lady who used to be a regular on ZNS.
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…
TorontoGal 8 years ago
Not living in Nassau now, I wish someone would take pictures of the granny panties trees so I can see them. I love seeing the real Bahamian ting!
hallmark 8 years ago
Does Mr. Wisdom have a decorating company/firm? What experience does he have in this area? What other large scale decorating has he done before that we can see? Who recommended him? Did others have a chance to bid for this job?
TalRussell 8 years ago
Comrade Hallmark I'd wager you better than numbers odds that if you asked your question to Banker, he'd say of course Wisdom has large scale decorating experince on he resume from the time he decorated them petticoats for Mother Millie Sands, the ZNS Bush Tea lady.
ThisIsOurs 8 years ago
LOL
John 8 years ago
If they wanted basic decorations they should have given that contract to The Stapledon School. The children could have made it a school project and the much needed funds could be used by the school. The end result would have been 10 times better, at least.
truetruebahamian 8 years ago
The trees are embarassed.
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