Monday, May 9, 2016
By RASHAD ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
rrolle@tribunemedia.net
AS thousands danced to the music of carnival on Friday night, Prime Minister Perry Christie beamed at the “success” of the event, saying it is a “win-win” for The Bahamas.
Mr Christie’s comments came during an interview with The Tribune as Grammy award winning Haitian artist Wyclef Jean entertained the crowd at the mega stage in Clifford Park.
He spoke positively about the impact he expects Junkanoo Carnival to have on launching the
careers of a new generation of Bahamian music stars.
“When we launched Junkanoo Carnival we did it on a basis that it was going to be strengthening the culture of the Bahamas, adding another dimension to it and creating an opportunity for Bahamians to make money out of doing what they love,” he said.
“We believe that they will be inspired by it, that it will be an engine where thousands of Bahamians enjoy themselves and new stars will be born in the Bahamas. I’ve been interviewed now by a number of American news stations, by yourself, and we are generating a tremendous amount of interest.”
With news of high murder rates often reverberating throughout the commonwealth, Mr Christie said events like carnival provide an important counterpoint to the narrative “naysayers” promote about the direction in which the country is headed.
“This is the key ingredient of success,” he said. “We can assemble thousands of people to enjoy the music and have no violence, no criminality, no misbehaviour because the emphasis is on watching this happen.”
On Friday night, local band Visage entertained the crowd performing a medley of their hits. Next, contestants in the finals of the Music Masters contest took to the stage all vying for the grand prize.
Trinidadian singer Destra closed out the event, taking the stage after Wyclef Jean.
Comments
proudloudandfnm says...
19 million invested to date.
No money made last year.
No money made this year...
How is this a win?
Posted 9 May 2016, 1:27 p.m. Suggest removal
licks2 says...
What a guy. . .$19,000,000 and he is ready to "pour" more down the pockets of his friends etc.!! I think our PM is the one who needs his "head checked". . . he seems to not have a clue to what is going on around him in reality!!!
Posted 9 May 2016, 2:06 p.m. Suggest removal
Honestman says...
The PLP's solution to the country's desperate economic situation - throw one big and expensive three day party and pretend "everything's gonna be alright!"
Posted 9 May 2016, 2:17 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Perry is right about the "win-win" ........... but who exactly is included in the "win-win"???? ........ that answer has to come from his henchmen Danny, Obie, Paul Major and Roscoe Dames
Posted 9 May 2016, 2:43 p.m. Suggest removal
jackbnimble says...
This man is deluded. Two years of wasting millions in taxpayers' money and it's a "win-win". Who won? Their family friends and lovers? The Bahamian people will win when his Government ends. Vote them out!
Posted 9 May 2016, 3:02 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Yes ....... but how much would have been frittered away to the PLP cronies, friends, families and lovers since 2012????? ........ $500 million???
Posted 9 May 2016, 3:29 p.m. Suggest removal
sheeprunner12 says...
Any fool should be able to see this gimmick from a mile away ......... this is PLP Electioneering 101 ........... in its latest reincarnation
This is the old PLP trick replayed from Pindling to now: Perry's version 2016
How do we get these fat, stupid, broke-ass, gullible dummies in the mood for the next election ..........???????? .......... This is the answer:
Well we will give them sweet-nothings like BAMSI, Carnival, Numbers, University, new Police cars & Ambulances, pretty RBDF boats, NHI, Diploma for Dummies and Equal Rights .......... and BAM!!!!!!! ......
............... 5 more years on the gravy train baby!!!!!!
.............. Hell NO!!!!! ............... Vote NO now and later to this lousy PLP
Posted 9 May 2016, 3:58 p.m. Suggest removal
John says...
Imagine that: Next year Carnival will spill into the PLP's Election Gold Rush. After a week of partying with the PLP many will wake up punch drunk, probably on May 10 and vote PLP. You cannot blame the government though for being so slick and conniving, you must blame the (Bahamian) for being so gullible. And it is anticipated that Bah Mar will be open around that time, hiring some 4,000 people, *The Pointe* should be nearing completion and The Bahamas will go PLP, *all the way.* In the main time, it appears Minnis' biggest mistake was removing Loretta Butler-Turner as his deputy. At least with her presence the opposition had a voice, now there is hardly anything, if nothing at all.
Posted 9 May 2016, 6:28 p.m. Suggest removal
Emac says...
How so true!
Posted 10 May 2016, 2:11 a.m. Suggest removal
Alltoomuch says...
And don't forget - we will be celebrating 50years of Majority Rule in January - we planning for that already!! Party loves party!!
Posted 9 May 2016, 7:34 p.m. Suggest removal
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