The Tribune

By LEANDRA ROLLE

Tribune Chief Reporter

lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Davis administration tabled the controversial National Junkanoo Authority Bill in the House of Assembly yesterday, a move officials hailed as ushering in the next phase in the life of Junkanoo.

The bill is largely similar to the version released for public consultation earlier this year.

Its introduction follows a highly publicised dispute between the government and the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP), which likened the bill to an attempt to centralise control and roll back the organisation’s self-governance.

The dispute escalated in October when the government transferred oversight of the the upcoming parades to the National Junkanoo Committee (NJC) and ordered an audit of the JCNP.

The change sparked complaints about consultation, transparency, and funding, prompting the JCNP to privately claim that the groups would sit out this season’s parades.

However, all major Junkanoo A-groups have since said they will return to Bay Street for the Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades.

Youth, Sports, and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg did not address the controversy in Parliament yesterday, but thanked the cultural community for participating in efforts to strengthen the management and support of Junkanoo.

He acknowledged that change can be challenging but added that growth requires courage and careful reflection.

He said: “We believe the country is ready for the next phase in the life of Junkanoo. We are in a better position today because we have listened, learned, and worked together. There may still be important conversations ahead, but I am confident that within the Junkanoo community, we have partners who care deeply about this art form and who want to build the best possible future for it and for The Bahamas.”

Under the proposed bill, an authority would be established to regulate national parades, manage funding, create for-profit subsidiaries, foster public interest and oversee a National Junkanoo Fund.

The fund would be financed through parliamentary appropriations, ticket sales, donations, and revenue-generating activities, and have the authority to borrow money, own property, and establish for-profit subsidiaries.

Instead of the originally proposed 15 members, the bill now calls for a 17-member governing body appointed by the Minister, representing a range of stakeholders and cultural institutions.

The members include government representatives, people with experience in finance, management, law, commerce, culture, youth development, or the arts, and chairpersons of the JCNP, National Junkanoo Committee, Grand Bahama Junkanoo Corporation, and Family Island Junkanoo Corporation.

With the Minister’s approval, the Authority may make regulations for participant registration, safety and conduct at parades, official parade routes and schedules.

The bill would also install local committees across the archipelago, with funding provided by the Authority.

“Junkanoo belongs to the Bahamian people. Together, we will keep it strong, keep it safe, and keep it growing,” Mr Bowleg said.