A letter tabled in the Senate yesterday by Free National Movement (FNM) Senator Maxine Seymour purports to show that the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) was given approval by the Ministry of Finance to import the equipment for the 2021 Christmas carnival.
Seymour, who was speaking during debate on the Merchant Shipping Bill, slammed the “confusion” over the holiday event.
“I’m just keeping an eye out to see whether or not it could possibly – and I’m not suggesting that it is – just have been staged and we come back with another illusion type of situation where, eventually, it is approved and our Bahamian children are indeed on the merry-go-round this season,” she said.
The Ministry of Health has denied a request by the operators to hold the event this year, due to concerns relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of the Prime Minister has said.
However, it was unclear who gave
permission for the operators to bring in the equipment, which is currently set up on Fort Charlotte.
The Nassau Guardian reached out to the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday, and was promised a comment on the letter, but received no response up to press time last night.
A former FNM MP claimed yesterday that it is common practice for a political party to seek approval on behalf of the carnival operators.
The letter, which is not dated, and is addressed to PLP Secretary General Barbara Cartwright, refers to prior correspondence on the matter.
“Reference is made to your correspondence dated October 28, 2021 in connection to the subject matter as captioned,” the letter, from Whitney Kenny, reads.
The letter indicates that Kenny signed for the financial secretary.
It continued, “I am directed to advise that approval is granted to the Progressive Liberal Party for the temporary importation of equipment, apparatus, trailers, and supplies for the Carnival Extravaganza of 2021.
“Approval is granted under the provisions of Section 186 of the Customs Management Act and Regulations 86 (i) and 94(2)(b).
“The bond requirement for customs is also waived in this regard. The comptroller of customs is advised by a copy of this communication.”
The carnival, which is typically an annual event, has been the subject of much controversy with questions over whether it would be allowed to take place given the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement on Sunday, the carnival operators said they are “cautiously optimistic” that they will be able to open soon.
“Daniel McCafferty, the owner of McCafferty’s Enterprises Bahamas Limited, confirmed that he has resubmitted his application for approval to operate,” the statement read.
“The new application conforms with current Health Services Rules,” he said.
“The government announced last week that The Carnival had been denied permission to open.
“Since then, McCafferty said teams from the Ministry of Health have inspected the site. McCafferty said he was unaware of the COVID-19 requirements by the Ministry of Health when he submitted the first application. However, he assured that the amusement park can operate safely.”
The post FNM senator slams govt over carnival confusion appeared first on The Nassau Guardian.
source https://thenassauguardian.com/fnm-senator-slams-govt-over-carnival-confusion/
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