The Disaster Risk Management Authority (DRMA) and the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, also known as ZNS, are both to receive increased funding in this year’s budget allocation according to Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister, the Hon. McKell Bonaby.
Bonaby delivered his contribution to the 2026/2027 budget debate in the House of Assembly on Monday. The government has budgeted approximately $60 million this year for disaster risk management. He said, “Disaster Risk Management $2,544,000.00, Disaster Prevention Fund $6 million, Disaster Emergency Fund top up to restore the balance to $17,300,000.00. Disaster Risk Management Spending Unit within the Office of the Prime Minister approximately $1 million. Whole of government DRM expenditure, Minister of Finance budget tagging exercise $60 million.”
The State Minister told Parliamentarians that enhanced measures for tracking storms and improving response and coordination times and ensuring the country is in line with international practices are being put in place. He said, “that figure is not an accident. It is a policy. It is the government saying with resources rather than rhetoric that the protection of the Bahamian people from hazards of our era is a whole of government responsibility and we are meeting it.”
The government has also increased the yearly allocation for the Broadcasting Corporation in an effort to modernize and remain competitive. Bonaby said, “I am pleased to report that the Corporation has received an allocation of $10.5 million for the 2026/2027 fiscal year building upon the support provided in the previous budget. That $10.2 million for the 2025/2026 budget year enabled the Corporation to advance critical modernization initiatives, strengthen operational capacity and undertake infrastructure improvements that will support long term and sustainability.”
This was the State Minister’s first presentation to Parliament in his new capacity. He formerly served as Executive Chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority.
