The government has committed $220,000 to assist in bringing controversial Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel to the territory in March, but the contract for the deal is not yet public.
Steve Parillon, of YOLO Promotions, announced on Oct. 5 that the government support had helped him sign the performer, who was recently released from prison in Jamaica after successfully appealing a 2014 murder conviction.
Premier Dr. Natalio “Sowande” Wheatley described the spend as an investment that will boost the tourism industry, but the news nevertheless drew condemnation on social media from residents who said the funds could be better spent on other needs like education and infrastructure.
The move was also criticised by members of Dr. Wheatley’s own government: Speaking to ZBVI Radio, Deputy Premier Lorna Smith and Communications and Works Minister Kye Rymer both opposed the spend and said infrastructure should be prioritised instead.
Vybz Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, recently had his conviction overturned by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council in the United Kingdom, and he was released from prison after serving 13 years of a life sentence. He and three co-defendants had been accused of the 2011 murder of associate Clive “Lizard” Williams, who prosecutors said was beaten to death in a dispute over missing guns.
‘You have to invest’
On Monday, Dr. Wheatley defended the spend during an interview with JTV.
“You have to invest some level of money in your tourism sector,” he said. “Now, let me just tell persons how the budget works. You’re saying this money could have been spent in many different areas. Education has a budget. Health has a budget. Communications and works has a budget. Environment has a budget. And yes, tourism has a budget. And some of the money for tourism will go to sponsor events that have a benefit for the wider economy.”
Dr. Wheatley went on to say that the performance would bring visitors from the mainland United States as well as Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands and other Caribbean islands, especially since the singer “will not be performing in the United States anytime soon.”
“It presents an opportunity because Vybz Kartel is one of the biggest dancehall artists in history,” Dr. Wheatley said. “He will attract visitors. And this is the goal of tourism: to attract visitors.”
He added that he expects the government to make back the $220,000 in taxes, though he did not provide a breakdown.
Asked for a copy of the government’s contract with YOLO Promotions, acting government Communications Director Karia Christopher stated, “Once the contract is available, it becomes a public document.”
As of Beacon press time yesterday afternoon, she had not responded to a query about when that will occur.
Music festival controversy
This is not the first time this year that Dr. Wheatley has been criticised for using government funds to support music events.
In May, government spent at least $670,000 to host the three-day VI Music Festival, drawing calls for a boycott from residents who said the money could be better spent on roads and other basic infrastructure.
Attendance for the event was far weaker than expected, with no more than 1,000 people showing up for the prime Saturday night highlight and far fewer attending on the other two nights. The premier has not yet provided details on the finances or attendance of the festival as he previously had promised.
Dr. Wheatley did, however, speak about the VI Music Festival during his Monday interview with JTV.
“Of course, it wasn’t perfect in terms of the execution of the event,” Dr. Wheatley said. “And actually, it’s in reflection of the execution of the event that we’ve decided to take a different approach. Actually, some of my biggest detractors suggested that we take this approach. They said, ‘Instead of the government or the Tourist Board putting on the event, why don’t you sponsor private promoters to put on the events?’”
He added that government is also in discussions with the organisers of the One VI Music Fest, which was held in June, about possibly combining the festivals next year.
