Bahamas Jubilee Games Budget Blown By Over $1M

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Office of the Auditor General’s examination of last year’s Bahamas Jubilee Games found unauthorised salary increases, misuse of petty cash, a failure to pay national insurance board contributions and unauthorized vehicle purchases.

The audit, which was tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, revealed that the operating budget of the Bahamas Games Secretariat was $5.5 million. 

The government initially allocated $4.5 million for the games, with just over $1 million being requested by the secretariat after the event.

The findings from the auditor general concluded most notably that there had been a lack of transparency concerning expenses towards the games as well as non-adherence to financial regulations and procedures.

The auditor general also raised concerns regarding unauthorized salary increases for employees, among other irregularities.

The 31-page report also criticized the accounting to the secretariat, noting that accounting records were not properly maintained. This due to missing documentation, financial records lacked certain financial transactions, and profit and loss statements were not regularly generated.

The Bahamas Games returned after a more than 20-year hiatus in celebration of the country’s 50th independence celebrations.

The games were held July 7-15 with 16 sports disciplines and participants from 10 islands.