FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest.

FREE National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest is unimpressed with the government's management of the country's second Junkanoo Carnival event, calling it too expensive and too focused on foreign artists at the expense of local ones.

The Tribune reported on Friday that this year's budget for carnival will be about $7m, according to the Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) chairman Paul Major.

That is $4.3m less than last years event but $4m more than initially projected, based on previous statements by top officials. Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe had suggested the event would cost the government $3m this year, though he said that was a preliminary projection.

The BNFC has also announced a number of international artists who have been contracted to participate in this year's event, including Trinidadian soca singer Destra and Haitian-born Grammy-award winner Wyclef Jean.

Mr. Turnquest said this undervalues Bahamian artists.

"Here we are again with the headliners being big money makers, foreigners," he said. "The questions that the local entertainers raised last year and this year is who are we building this carnival for? Who are the beneficiaries? Are we going to treat local artists like we treat our athletes, where the value is not shown?

Organisers are sensitive to criticism that the event's focus is insufficiently focused on Bahamians, even as last year's event proved popular among locals.

To help combat this perception, organisers say there will be no act characterised as a headliner this year, even though more than ten popular international artists have been contracted to participate.

Organisers say well-known artists are important to attract tourists.

"I don't necessarily think big name artists are necessary," Mr. Turnquest countered on Friday. "If you promote the culture, I think people will come. And do you really need ten foreign acts? If you bring a Destra or Wyclef Jean then why do you need the rest? As we speak there is a shortage of beds at the hospital, a shortage of medicine at the hospital. So what are we doing?"

As for the budget of $7m, Mr. Turnquest said it is too much.

"Back during the mid-term budget debate the minister responsible indicated that the budget would be around $3m. Yet here we are projecting $7m, more than double the initial projection. We've heard nothing about the financial plan, the estimated revenues from this production. We are faced with the same problem we had last year: lack of planning, preparation and management."

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune Staff Reporter

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