The Promise for Better Accounting of Funds Spent

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Public Beaches and Parks Authority came into the spotlight in the run-up to the recent elections, and you may recall why.

From July 2021 to March 2026, the Authority spent more than $147.6 million under the leadership of now former Executive Chairman McKell Bonaby.

Despite repeated inquiries, no proper explanation was given of where the funds were spent.

Even as legislators wrap up this current fiscal period in a matter of days, the Authority exceeded it’s $29 million allocation by half a million, from March.

On the sidelines of a staff training seminar this week, we asked new Executive Chairman Jamahl Strachan to clarify his recent promise of a “new era” of transparency and accountability.

Jamahl Strachan – Executive Chairman, Public Beaches and Parks Authority

“Well, when I say new era, it was reflective of someone new inside the seat itself. Just like I stated initially, we would be building on what the former chairman had.”

Strachan commended his predecessor’s work, while promising to give the public a better understanding of the authority’s day to day operations.

Jamahl Strachan – Executive Chairman, Public Beaches and Parks Authority

“When I spoke about transparency and access…you would have noticed the short clippings of what we actually do beyond cutting grass, like the lifeguards, the side road, onside bridges, safety protocols, and even more to be displayed so that the populace knows exactly all of the functions of beaches and parks.”

We also asked about the status of the investigation into the Authority’s spending.

Strachan confirmed an audit has been completed, and findings will be made public at the appropriate time.

The results of that audit are expected to provide the first official accounting of the Authority’s spending, as the new administration says it looks to rebuild public confidence through greater transparency and accountability.