The Tribune

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Tribune Staff Reporter

ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NEW Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority Executive Chairman Jamahl Strachan could not guarantee yesterday that the agency will remain within its budgetary allocations, citing global price shocks while promising “increased oversight” at an authority under sustained scrutiny over runaway spending and the absence of a public audit.

Mr Strachan, who assumed the role yesterday, said an audit of the authority will be tabled in Parliament in “due course”, though he said he had not yet reviewed it and planned to do so with the authority’s executive team.

The authority was embroiled in controversy under former chairman McKell Bonaby amid criticism over high spending and the absence of a public audit.

Mr Strachan said audits, transparent procedures and protocols have already been enacted. However, he could not say whether the public will see documentation and project measures completed during the last Davis administration.

Mr Strachan repeated the previous explanation from officials that much of the authority’s spending appeared to have been rollover spending.

Asked what measures would be taken to ensure the authority stays within its budget under his tenure, Mr Strachan said that is difficult because global events affect prices.

“It drives and changes prices of everything, so a $2, and this is arbitrary of course, a $2 slide today, any impact with the various wars or trans shipping route will impact the cost of that particular product tomorrow,” he said.

“What I can assure you is that you have a competent authority. You have an authority dedicated to fiscal management, and going forward, you will see increased oversight, and of course I would say bang for your buck going forward.”

The Progressive Liberal Party and Mr Bonaby have defended the authority’s spending amid criticism.

Mr Bonaby has framed the authority’s spending as support for more than 1,200 contractors across The Bahamas, saying it created jobs, opportunities and economic benefits for communities throughout the islands.

He has also said increased spending reflected the authority’s expanded responsibility for more than 250 parks nationwide and investments in staffing, equipment and operational capacity.

He said financial controls require contractors to provide valid documentation and proof of completed work, though no supporting figures, project-level details or audit reports have been publicly released.

The PLP defended the authority’s surging spending in April, blaming inherited overruns and pointing to support for small businesses amid scrutiny over missing audit reports.

PLP Director of Communications Latrae Rahming claimed during a press conference that higher spending reflected “investments in small and medium-sized businesses” and long-running overruns that predated the Davis administration. He called criticism from the opposition “disingenuous”.

He cited past budget gaps under the Minnis administration, including one year when about $7m was budgeted and $15.6m was spent, and another period when $19.1m was budgeted and $25.9m was spent.

The defence came after budget figures showed the authority spent more than $141m up to December 2025 and repeatedly exceeded its allocations in recent years.

Mr Bonaby, in a separate statement, insisted that “every dollar of taxpayer money spent by the authority is accounted for”.

He also pointed to the agency’s expanded responsibilities, including managing more than 250 parks nationwide, increased staffing and equipment, and the implementation of a fleet management system.

Questions about the authority intensified in April after The Nassau Guardian reported repeated overspending and a lack of details on how the funds were used.

The report outlined spending of $24.6m against a $15.2m budget in the 2021/2022 fiscal year, and more than $33m against a $24m budget in 2023/2024. Budget documents up to December 2025 show total allocations exceeded $141m.

Mr Strachan said the authority’s initial focus will be identifying deficiencies and needs at parks and beaches, with quarterly assessments and measurable targets to track improvements and allow the public to monitor progress.