By KHRISNA RUSSELL
Tribune Chief Reporter
krussell@tribunemedia.net
MORE than 100 people, including Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis, made up a delegation that went to Dubai to attend a world expo that showcased the country’s cultural and technological offerings.
The delegation includes choirs, among them Shaback led by Clint Watson, who is also Press Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Other elements of the delegation include a Junkanoo group and bands. It is unclear what portion of the group was attributed to showcasing the country’s technological capabilities.
The size of the delegation was reduced due to the surge in cases believed to be the result of the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, OPM communications director Latrae Rahming said.
He did not have a cost to taxpayers readily available for the trip.
However, he said, there was sponsorship from the government of Dubai and private sector partners.
“There are three elements of the trip,” Mr Rahming said in response to a question about the matter. “So, the actual Dubai expo is an event sponsored by the government of Dubai.
“The component of the travels of the Prime Minister was also sponsored by the government of Dubai. I think that the government did their sum cost on sending participants.
“I don’t have the exact figure, but let me just explain. As you are aware the purpose is to display the capacity of our country on a cultural side and on a technological side.
“We believe - and it continues to be our view - that we are going to give Bahamians the exposure required on the global stage.
“This group comprises of Bahamian talent and choirs and bands and musicians also the cultural artisans of our country and we want to show that we have talent in our country.
“I think that it is a justified investment when we give our people exposure on the world stage so people could see the talent and I think if this small country could produce per capita the largest amount of athletes and we could produce Sir Sidney Poitier, we could make a significant investment in letting the world see our talent.
“But, I will get the figure and cost on that trip.”
Asked again to disclose the cost incurred from having such a large delegation travel, Mr Rahming repeated the size had been reduced in response to the current coronavirus picture.
“The initial delegation which was multi-ministry had three components. I think given the increase in Omicron, the delegation size was reduced to a significant amount and the trade component of it was suspended or postponed to the later part of the year.
“I don’t have the actual overall figure, but I do believe that there are more than 100 cultural components when you consider the band, Junkanoo, factors of our cultural expression. The cost, remember that this actual event is sponsored by the Dubai government and private sector partners.
“I think there is some element that the government of The Bahamas would have helped with, but the significant portion of the trip was sponsored by the government of Dubai.
“I will get the actual figure for you at the next press conference or by the time the Prime Minister returns from Dubai next week we’ll have an answer to that question,” Mr Rahming said.
Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper will serve as acting Prime Minister while Mr Davis is out of the country.
Mr Davis leaves for Dubai today.
Comments
tribanon 2 years, 3 months ago
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
tribanon 2 years, 3 months ago
lol
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 3 months ago
why you cant behave? Carl Bethel ask. lol. I almost starting to believe "this comment has been removed..." is what you type
realfreethinker 2 years, 3 months ago
Is there any way you can re post your comments in code form so we can see what these idiots are censoring?
tribanon 2 years, 3 months ago
See my repost below.
bahamianson 2 years, 3 months ago
Why would Shaback go to Dubai? Isn't Shaback a christian group? Are the citizens in Dubai christian? I don't think so. Are they going to be receptive to the christian choir? That may be a blunder on Clint Watson's behalf.
bahamianson 2 years, 3 months ago
He said he disnt have an exact figure knowing full well that we want the exact figure. Talk about not being prepared for a news conference. I think that was deliberate, though.
The_Oracle 2 years, 3 months ago
In Dubai showcasing ? Certainly not our realities. Best stay his hip here at home where all the problems that need solving are!
Sickened 2 years, 3 months ago
The PLP party train is full to capacity and gaining speed. No stopping the spending now.
bobby2 2 years, 3 months ago
Will the voters of this Country ever hold these tax wasting Gov't Officials accountable.
ohdrap4 2 years, 3 months ago
ah, now I understand why some acquaitances of mine, of the forever broke kind are suddenly going to Dubai.
Where do I sign up?
B_I_D___ 2 years, 3 months ago
Covert fact finding mission on how to drill for oil....LOLOLOLOL
Proguing 2 years, 3 months ago
They are going to "showcased the country’s ...technological offerings"??? What is that, Cable Bahamas, BTC our online school system, our non existent share ride offering???
I don't think that the Bahamas is ahead of Dubai when it come to technology. What do they expect to find? Bedouins living in tents?
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 3 months ago
Bedouins. ROTFL
moncurcool 2 years, 3 months ago
Someone please tell me what is the capacity on the technological side that the Bahamas has to offer to Dubai? When the Culture Ministry can't even produce a virtual Junkanoo of any quality?
This has to be an April Fool's joke come early in January!!
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 3 months ago
"among them Shaback led by Clint Watson, "
"It is unclear what portion of the group was attributed to showcasing the country’s technological capabilities."
That's the exact same thing I thought.
This is an innovation conference right? About what the future looks like and how countries using innovative approaches to get there? and we sending people to sing and dance? ROTFL. But par for the course I guess, thats exactly what we do to elect our leaders. Travis gat a nice Baptist singing voice...and Mitchell knew all the words to redemption song.
2030 here we come. ROTFL
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 3 months ago
Sigh. I think Brave could be our 2nd transformational leader. Maybe 3rd Sands and Pindling. I dont include Ingraham because Im not certain "transformational" applies, possibly.
If transformational is his goal it cant look like this...
TalRussell 2 years, 3 months ago
De United Arab Emirates intelligence agency, de Signals Intelligence Agency (SIA). will have well in advance departure begun planting their motion and voice capturing snooping devices in anticipation de 100's delegation's landing at Dubai International Airport and everything else like what might occurs after checking into hotel rooms, partying up and whatever happens under and above de covers, all captured use against or for future polices influencing.
Just imagine de what all was/is captured by other foreign powers,,― Yes?
jus2cents 2 years, 3 months ago
Lowest rates possible - - Flights @ $1,500,00 x 100 = $150,000.00 Rooms at $200.00 per night 5 days = $200,000.00. + food & incidentals @ $150.00 per day 5 days = $75,000.00 That's already $425,000.00. Not including limos & transportation, formal dinners entertaining guests or other incidentals it is most likely double that.
TalRussell 2 years, 3 months ago
Yes, Comrade Just2Cents, makes for sobering thought amongst so financially strapped PopoulacesCommemers', who had to tightened they belts, three+ holes past belt manufacturers' nine holes,― Yes?
Bobsyeruncle 2 years, 3 months ago
I can't wait to see what Birdie thinks about this, given his/her multitude of negative comments when the previous administration jetted off to places. My guess would be - Crickets !
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 3 months ago
spending money isnt the problem. justification: whats the goal and is it worth the spend? the goal here i thought was to show how innovative we could be on sustainability goals...
ThisIsOurs 2 years, 3 months ago
Dubai Exp 2022 Objective:
The themes of Expo Dubai will include OPPORTUNITY – freeing the potential of individuals and communities to create a better future, MOBILITY – innovative logistics, transport and communication systems for people, goods and ideas, SUSTAINABILITY – accessibility and resilience of environmental, energy and water resources.
tribanon 2 years, 3 months ago
Repost:
Why is the Director of Communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, Latrae Rahming, telling us, the Bahamian people, what was budgeted for this ridiculously outlandish event rather than telling us the actual total cost of this most lavish and squandering event? Is he doing so because they failed to keep track of the actual costs, which no doubt greatly exceeded the budgeted amount?
Also, it's unseemly that Rahming would try justify our financially strapped country participating to such a great pretentious extent in this very costly Dubai extravaganza by basically saying the last FNM government did it so now we get to do it too. Clearly Latrae Rahming doesn't have too much upstairs!
Poor, down-trodden and struggling Bahamians are being played as fools by this Davis-led PLP administration. The spendthrift political elite are unabashedly living an ostentatious and extravagant life-style at the expense of the vast majority of Bahamians. And to think our financially strapped country has public school facilities and public health facilities that are starved of desperately needed financial resources.
Make no mistake about it, participating as it did in this most costly Dubai event was a disgracefully cruel act committed by the Davis-led PLP administration against the interests of the vast majority of suffering Bahamians.
licks2 2 years, 3 months ago
I don't know if this is a waste of money. . .NOT BEFORE I "SEE" WHAT THEY DID WHILE THERE!! Now what I can say at this pernt. . ."clint and he group. . .wha. . why"?? That dude Clint is "showing he never was for what is right". . .but I could have told yinna that long time!!
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