It has been six months since the Caribbean Muzik Festival was scheduled to take place in New Providence.
The festival's main events have yet to take place. Ordinarily, we would not care. But the festival's organizers got $650,000 from the Ministry of Tourism to sponsor the events. This is taxpayers' money.
When we reported on this issue last November, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe said the organizers are obligated to return the sponsorship money if the festival is not held. But he said he did not think a date was stipulated in the contract with the organizers for when the festival must take place before the obligation to return the money kicks in.
It is completely unacceptable in the minds of many Bahamians that the organizers were given this money to stage the festival and six months later have still not delivered.
In March, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe told us that while the festival organizers have proposed several dates for the event, "the issue is cost". It is not enough for Wilchcombe to tell the public as he did then that "the ministry does not believe it should engage in any further cost". We do not think that the ministry should either. But a clear statement needs to be made about the status of our $650,000 and the status of the festival.
In March, Wilchcombe also said the festival had been rescheduled for early April. April has come and gone and we have heard nothing on the matter -- nothing, that is, except more talk of meetings. The Nassau Guardian has over the months made numerous attempts to get an update from the minister and the organizers on the matter.
Last month, Festival Director Desmond Edwards sent us a letter the organizers' attorney Obi Pindling sent the minister.
It was dated April 11.
The letter said: "As a result of statements attributed to you concerning the Caribbean Muzik Festival, as reported in The Nassau Guardian on March 29, 2016, that newspaper has forwarded to us certain questions. Before providing formal responses to those questions, our client would like to meet with you urgently to determine the way forward. Your most kind and urgent attention to this request will be greatly appreciated as our client feels that it is of critical importance to clarify the misperceptions which have arisen as a result of the aforementioned statements."
The festival's organizers have alleged that their vendors out of the United States failed to deliver on certain obligations, causing the postponement of festival events. But when he spoke to The Nassau Guardian on March 29, Wilchcombe said: "The Ministry of Tourism will be demanding that they tell us a date and bring the project to fruition."
While Wilchcombe said he understands circumstances change, he said, "whatever happened with them and their vendors in the United States, that is not my issue.
"My issue is, you still have an obligation. If you don't fulfill your obligation, then we have to take necessary steps."
Wilchcombe said he believes based on the "good standing of individuals" involved with the festival, organizers will fulfill their obligations.
Festival organizers -- Michael Tomlinson, Desmond Edwards and Alfred Sears -- all have a reputation of being of good character and being men of integrity. But the taxpayers should not be made to wait indefinitely for a clear explanation on this matter.
We can think of many initiatives in the public interest that $650,000 could have been spent on. Crooked Island and other islands need fire trucks; many of those communities need improved health and education facilities and better roads.
Road Traffic Department offices are in a rundown state, and the list can go on for a very long time. It simply cannot be accepted that, that amount of money is spent to sponsor a festival that has yet to take place. We need answers please, minister.
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