National

JCNP and MOYSC Meet Following Junkanoo Bill Drama

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Following the uproar of a proposed National Junkanoo Authority, the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence and Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture met on Wednesday to discuss the way forward.

Published

5 months ago

July 24, 2025

Berthony McDermott

The bill proposes a major shift: removing the JCNP as the sole authority over Junkanoo parades in New Providence, and replacing it with an independent body that would also oversee Junior Junkanoo.

If enacted it would also formally assign parade management to the new authority and include Junior Junkanoo.

However, what raised even more eyebrows was the JCNP’s demand

They say if the government wants Junkanoo to become a state-run production, then they want to be paid like professionals, and they’ve put a number on it, $45 million a year.

An attached budget outlines $26.6M for A groups, $16M for B groups, and smaller but notable sums for fun groups, individual performers, and administration.

However as for Wednesday night’s meeting, the voices were loud and could be heard outside the meeting room as the clash continues over the draft bill that could ultimately strip the JCNP of its power.

Mario Bowleg – Minister, Youth Sports and Culture

“There was a slip again in communication, persons sometimes in various organizations might have had things slip out that may have been out there too soon. At the end of the day, we believe we have an idea on the way forward,” he said.

That’s how Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg explained what led to the standoff between his ministry and the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP), acknowledging the release of draft legislation may have been premature.

After the draft surfaced, the JCNP fired off a strongly worded letter to the minister making their frustration clear.

Bowleg says the government now better understands where the JCNP is coming from.

“This is a draft document, as the scriptures in the Bible, sometimes you read it and it’s a misinterpretation of what it is. We clear the air, and we will continue to discuss how we move forward as it relates to the relationship with the JCNP and the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture,” he said.

As for a $45 million demand, Bowleg says the matter was not discussed in Wednesday’s meeting.

Meanwhile, JCNP Chairman Dion Miller told Our News that the meeting brought more clarity.

Dion Miller – Chairman, JCNP

“The minister and his team reinforced his commitment to the partnership with the JCNP and the management of the parades here in New Providence, which was our chief complaint.”

“So we will leave with a view to continuing to dialogue until we are in a position where we are in full agreement with the proposed bill,” he said.

While both sides say the relationship remains intact, Miller hinted at a deeper issue that continues to plague the Junkanoo community for the past two years – the ongoing rift in the Valley Boys.