MP Simon: Government’s $75,000 Budget for Barbuda Carnival is Inadequate and Vindictive
The government’s recently approved budget of a mere EC$75,000 for Barbuda Carnival demonstrates, once again, that Gaston Browne has no genuine commitment to the cultural development and economic empowerment of our nation.
Staging a cultural festival requires adequate funding for everything from decorations to paying the artistes and service providers on time. For many years, the Gaston-led government has deprived the Barbuda Council of funding to which it is entitled.
This would have made it more challenging for the Council to meet the costs required to stage a high quality and economically impactful event.
MP Simon states, “This government has raised taxes and imposed other measures, to rake in new revenue hand-over-fist. So why are they under-funding Barbuda Carnival in this shameless way? This appears to be a form of vindictive payback, to frustrate Barbudans who have been defending their land ownership and way of life.”
He further observes, “Barbuda Carnival should be an opportunity to ensure Barbudans and Antiguans receive robust economic benefits from a properly funded and strongly marketed festival, which enjoys the highest possible participation from locals and stay-over tourists alike. Instead of ensuring that this yearly event grows to become a regional attraction, the government’s actions threaten to sabotage its development.”
“$75,000 is often the cost of a single fete. I call on Gaston Browne and his government to reconsider their decision and come up with a budget that makes sense. Barbuda Carnival has the the potential, if properly supported, to be a major success with strong economic benefits to our twin island state, and to Barbudans in particular.”, Simon concludes.
Kelvin Simon MP
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