In a heated parliamentary session that sparked immediate cross-aisle tension, Jamahl Strachan, the newly appointed Executive Chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority, outlined an ambitious reform agenda yesterday, aimed at pulling the agency out of a damaging spending scandal that marred his predecessor McKell Bonaby’s tenure. The announcement triggered visible friction among lawmakers, with an opposition MP accusing Strachan of publicly scapegoating Bonaby, a moment that drew awkward exchanges and muted laughter across the chamber.
Rising to speak for the first time in a prominent public role after keeping a low profile through the Davis administration’s first term, Strachan framed his appointment as a critical turning point for the embattled authority. “The Bahamian people deserve to see tangible, visible evidence of how public resources are being invested in their communities,” he told the House, emphasizing his commitment to wholesale institutional overhaul. “We intend to deliver visible, measurable, and meaningful improvements on the ground. Our vision is clear: we are building a more transparent, more accountable, safer, and more technologically advanced authority.”
Strachan’s remarks did not go unnoticed by lawmakers, with attention immediately turning to Bonaby, who serves as the Member of Parliament for Mount Moriah and held the executive chairman post before Strachan. MPs exchanged quiet glances and made offhand jokes, with Bonaby exiting the chamber briefly before returning shortly after. Long Island MP Dr. Andre Rollins, an opposition figure, quickly condemned the address, claiming Strachan had thrown Bonaby “under the bus” to score political points.
Strachan pushed back firmly against the accusation, arguing Rollins was twisting his words to create unnecessary conflict: “He is trying to savage the environment by putting his spin on this presentation.” Rollins doubled down on his critique, noting Strachan’s pledge to modernize the agency amounted to an admission that the $141 million spent under Bonaby’s leadership over the past four years delivered no meaningful public benefit.
Under Bonaby’s tenure, the authority was engulfed in sustained controversy over unchecked high spending and the persistent lack of a independent public audit. Despite repeated public pledges to release a breakdown of expenditures, Bonaby never provided a detailed account of how public funds were allocated.
Strachan reiterated that reforms to boost transparency are already underway, with new auditing protocols and formal operational procedures already implemented. The authority is currently conducting a comprehensive, unflinching review of its staffing model, operational workflows, procurement processes and overall institutional capacity, he confirmed. Strachan stressed that transparency without accountability is meaningless: “Accountability must walk hand in hand with transparency. Bahamians deserve assurance that every dollar allocated to the authority is spent responsibly and produces real, measurable results.”
A full review of internal policies, reporting hierarchies and governance controls is currently in progress, Strachan confirmed. Where overlapping responsibilities and inefficiencies are found, departments will be restructured to cut duplication, clarify role boundaries, streamline workflows and strengthen decision-making. “There must be clear lines of authority, clear mandates, and clear accountability,” he said. “Every department must know its role. Every employee must know their responsibilities. Every dollar spent must advance the Authority’s mission.”
To build public trust, all updated policies, procedures and operational guidelines will be published on the authority’s official website for full public access, he added. Beyond governance reform, Strachan laid out a broad policy agenda centered on public safety, community renewal, digital modernization and regulated commercial use of public spaces.
Public safety will be a top priority, with an ongoing review of security frameworks for parks and beaches. Proposed upgrades include deploying additional lifeguards, expanding the park warden program, and increasing the use of modern surveillance monitoring across high-traffic public areas. Strachan also outlined plans to beautify green and coastal spaces across New Providence, revitalizing these areas to encourage greater community use and connection.
Rebuilding public trust will rely on open communication, Strachan said, with plans to expand public outreach initiatives and improve two-way communication between the authority and Bahamian residents. On the digital front, the authority will upgrade its online infrastructure with a fully redesigned website and a dedicated public portal for submitting complaints and service requests.
A new Digital Permit System is also in the works, which will allow electronic permit issuance for beach and park vendors, event organizers, billboard operators, concessionaires and other commercial users of public spaces. Billboard and signage regulation will be a key early focus, Strachan said, noting that unpermitted advertising structures have proliferated across public lands without proper oversight, consistency or planning.
Going forward, the authority will implement a clear, transparent permitting framework with standardized rules for location, design, size and placement of all commercial signage. Strachan also announced a nationwide compliance review to target unapproved advertising structures—billboards, signs, and banners—built on public property without required permits. “The rules must apply equally to everyone,” he said. “Those who follow the law should not be undercut by those who ignore it. This initiative is not about punishment; it is about restoring order, fairness, accountability and public confidence in the management of public land.”