From left, Vice President and Director of Sales Zamar Productions Kay-Andra Gardiner, Executive Director of Unique Bahamas Patrick McGrew, Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) CEO Roscoe Dames and BNFC Logistics Manager Adrian Thompson address members of the media about plans for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. (Photo: Torrell Glinton)

Despite the fact that the Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) went over budget on carnival by nearly $4 million last year, BNFC Chief Executive Officer Roscoe Dames said yesterday that "more has been done" to manage expenses for this year's Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

"From an operational standpoint, every effort has been made to manage our expenses a lot more than last year," said Dames at a BNFC press conference.

Last month, BNFC Chairman Paul Major confirmed that this year's entire carnival budget will be around $7 million.

In March, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe said the government's carnival budget would be "around $3 million". However, Wilchcombe said work on the final number was still being done.

According to a BNFC report that was released nearly two months after the 2015 carnival, the government spent $12.9 million, going over its initial budget of $9 million.

Given last year's overspending, Dames said BNFC officials have done all they can to stay within budget this year.

"Every effort, from the Ministry of Finance to the BNFC, has been made to be responsible and prudent in the way we spend for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival," he said.

"The way we invest, spending is one thing, but we're making a significant investment in the country."

Dames added that "streamlining" operations played a major role in ensuring they spent wisely.

He said organizers focused on their expenditures and service providers to determine where money would be spent more efficiently.

"In streamlining our operations, we took into consideration all of the expenses we had last year," Dames said.

"We took into consideration where we could make cuts. We were all mandated to take a closer look at what we need as opposed to what we want.

"Our needs were addressed first, and our wants were considered where possible."

Dames said a detailed breakdown of what was spent on carnival will be released after this year's event.

At its inception, Prime Minister Perry Christie indicated that carnival would boost the nation's tourism industry, attracting visitors.

In April, Christie dismissed criticism over spending on carnival and insisted that the festival will have a "significant impact" on the economy.

Christie told The Nassau Guardian that carnival has also created new business opportunities for the carnival bands.

Carnival will be held May 5-7.

The line-up of artists includes renowned Trinidadian soca singer Destra; former Fugees rapper Wyclef Jean; Rake and Scrape singer D Mac; Bahamian band Visage; Jamaican reggae artist Tarrus Riley and Cuban singer Laritza, among others
Major confirmed that Destra will be paid $30,000 and Wyclef will receive $70,000.

- Jasmin Brown, Guardian Staff Reporter

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian