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Okay, so who’s playing up with their Count at the Ministry of Finance?
Just hours after, Chutney Soca Monarch (CSM) promoter George Singh declared that the competition would be scuttled due to a withdrawal of funding from the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB)—after a directive from the Ministry of Finance—the CSM was presumably on again, after a U-turn from Finance Minister Colm Imbert.
It was as bewildering as watching the Red Woman revive Jon Snow’s corpse in Season Six of the Game of Thrones.
In an interview with LoopTT this morning, Singh revealed what happened in his meeting with the NLCB.
“I was informed that I was required to attend an urgent meeting that morning at the offices of NLCB,” Singh told LoopTT. “Whilst there I was greeted by the CEO and informed that there was a change, a change to which he was awaiting a final decision on.
“Within a few minutes, a phone call was received by the CEO and taken outside of the said meeting. A few minutes later the CEO re-entered the room to which he stated that there was an email confirmation and directive by the Ministry of Finance that stated that the Chutney Soca Monarch was no longer to be the recipient of any funding whatsoever.”
And, just like that, a 15 year partnership between the Chutney Soca Monarch and the NLCB looked to be on the rocks. And Singh was probably asking Sport Minister Darryl Smith to recommend a competent couples therapist.
As it turned out, Imbert was just demonstrating the incompetence of his government.
Subsequent to the LoopTT report, Imbert—according to CNC3—promised to raise the figure offered to the Chutney Soca Monarch from TT$300,000 to TT$1 million.
Imbert was quoted as saying that “the initial decision […] was based on false information that the Ministry donated TT$500,000 to CSM last year. However the actual figured [given last year] was TT$1.5 million.”
Eh… Turns out that Rowley’s fictional mudda is not the only person with Counting problems.
(Courtesy Power102)
So all’s well that ends well then? Well, except for the “incompetence” thing, of course. But then Trinidad and Tobago citizens have gotten used to that shortcoming, in much the same way that parents of new-borns lose the scent of fully loaded pampers.
So why all the ruction?
Well, there is an elephant room—and, bizarrely, she was dancing in ‘black face’. We are referring, of course, to that silly little ditty from Gosein entitled “Rowley Mudda Count” that was about… Well, it is difficult to look beyond the chorus.
PNM Women’s Arm head Camille Robinson-Regis heard the tune and immediately rallied the nation to protect the wholesomeness of mothers across the country and the children whose innocence might be spoiled forever by chancing across the Massive number on a radio station.
That would be the mothers who the Sport Minister isn’t publicly threatening to toss out of their homes. And the children who aren’t too preoccupied nursing broken limbs in the Education Minister’s gladiatorial pits.
Two boys at Fatima College simulating a rape scene on a smart phone?
Dais small thing, according to Anthony Garcia; let boys be boys.
Rowley’s fictional mother counting vegetables? Well, that’s just going too far isn’t it…
So it is with the backdrop of Gosein’s 2018 tune and the Government’s disproportional reaction that the idea of chutney soca fans dipping into their own pockets to hear their favourite artistes and count the night away became a national talking point.
Was it a failed attempt at censorship? Or a storm in a tea cup?
More like another example of why State-owned boards should not have their day-to-day operations dictated to by a Minister who ought to have enough on his plate in the first place.
To be fair, though, Mr Live Wire would like to point out that Imbert has a well established reputation as a penny pincher and it would be hasty to impugn improper motives. Little Colm has almost certainly been a massive Counter since Jesus in short pants.
Editor’s Note: Wired868 updated its initial story after the Finance Ministry’s about-turn on funding for the Chutney Soca Monarch.
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Mr. Live Wire is an avid news reader who translates media reports for persons who can handle the truth. And satire. Unlike Jack Nicholson, he rarely yells.
And?
Ah watching Panorama going and geh about $25-30M. THA done allocate $7.2M for something or the other over int he sister isle.
This is the third straight year funding for these shows have been cut. It seems the Chutney Soca Monarch is not financially sustainable on its own. Wise move by GOTT.
And the soca monarch show is financially sustainable?
Perhaps you just hadn’t thought it through. If funding has been reduced to both big shows and the CSM has to be cancelled, clearly the CSM is at the very least, the less sustainable of the two. Economics have less to so with feelings and emotions, and more about science and facts.
I hope massive gosein threatens to sing the song for carnival Monday and Tuesday. What the hell, he should sing it for panorama too.
All these entities that get Govt funding should be providing financial statements etc.. When Cricket and Football and other sporting disciplines have tp get funding, they are asked to provide same… it is tax payers money, tgey should be held accountable….
not even that ..funding should only be ONCE…
Kyon Esdelle For sure
Also, NLCB decided not to sponsor Downtown Carnival. Is that also linked to Massive or race or chutney hate or arrogance…?
Like I said, it would be helpful if the Govt/Minister of Finance gives a clear explanation to what they will be and will NOT be funding. And, better yet, explain what is deemed worthy of State funding and what isn’t.
Or how about we accept that things can’t go on as before, that we have less money to throw around. How about that?
Lasana Liburd This would ease all the race talk… TT is heading further along a cery dangerous route where the racial divide is widening. Politicians gain by this, but populations suffer… really sad….
Alana, who is against change?
Not I but it seems many are. All carnival events have been receiving reduced funding for some time. Not just this year but all of a sudden, it’s unfair? And having reduced revenue to spend appears to be an insufficient reason for reductions. ?♀️
Alana, are you pretending not to see anything but economics here? Are you saying you have no idea why anyone might think this can have anything to do with something other than low oil prices?
But Lasana, the promoter refused the reduced allocation and chose to cancel the show. I see people trying to make that link but then the same sponsor also declined to fund other events so I don’t think CM is being especially targeted.
Alana, first you have to acknowledge that the State owned company approved the funding for the Chutney Soca Monarch only to back track on the eve of the launch for the competition.
Then you note that an arm of the PNM also severely criticised one of the singers at the Chutney Soca Monarch in the build-up to that decision. And that the singer himself said he received calls warning him of a financial backlash if he did not withdraw or alter his song.
In the end, it might have had nothing to do with the Finance Ministry’s decision. Maybe. But you can’t say you don’t know why people are suspicious or concerned.
For instance, do you know that the Finance Minister only approved the budget for NLCB this morning? That strikes you at odd? On what basis was the Chutney Soca Monarch promised funding in the first place then?
It is not as if this is a policy articulated well in advance to the Carnival stakeholders.
Or is it no big thing to just change everything on the hoof after the season has already started?
Never said that I don’t understand the suspicion. However, I discount it because if the NLCB has defunded other events, and they can do so because it is their / our money, then no one is being targeted. It’s just a business decision.
Alana, I can accept you discounting it. But you can understand why some people aren’t so quick to give the benefit of the doubt in the circumstances.
Personally, I’d like to hear from the Finance Ministry on policy regarding these events.
Do you agree that policy should have been clearly articulated in advance of the Carnival season though?
What was the amount offered bt NLCB/MoF to CSM? What amount did they ask for? What was it reduced to?
It’s not odd. The Public sector is often last minute. And yes they would have provisionally approved the allocation before MoF approved their budget on the assumption that it had been approved for 15 years.
NLCB defunded but Min. Of Culture offered 900k.
Promoter said it’s not enough.
Lasana, what policy? Allyuh feel we that organised?
Every year carnival is a surprise….
Alana to be honest, I read the Newsday story and still ent sure of what was or wasn’t offered this year. I think the NLCB and Finance Ministry should clear the air in terms of what was and wasn’t offered and why.
I agree with you there. Definitive statement. But we know the ole talk will continue….
Alana Morton Thanks, what was NLCB initially offering? I personally never agreed to these sponsorships to private events by state. No accountability…. money can be used to benefit mich needed programs relating to domestic violence, homeless, health….
Alana Morton I think if clarification was offered on figures, a lot of ole talk would cease
I don’t know the figure requested from NLCB or what they agreed to provide before recinding the offer.
Hahahahahah. You underestimate our love for lacaray and mauvais lange then. The goal posts shift like the desert Sands….
Lasana Liburd another thing we aren’t discussing is how these events get state funding from multiple state agencies. So NLCB is but one. They would have accessed funding from the Ministry of Culture, Bmobile in the past and who knows where else. That’s double, triple, quadruple, multiple bites at the same cherry. The cherry ain’t that big anymore.
Alana that’s a fair point for discussion. But it might genuinely be that it is good business sense for Bmobile AND NLCB to advertise with one company because of potential gains.
I actually find it quite curious that the Finance Ministry can “direct” a State-owned company in that way. Because there is supposed to be a big difference in “state-owned” and “State-run”. Nobody should think it okay, for instance, for a Minister to direct a CNMG editor or reporter to cover a story.
Companies ought to have some autonomy in my opinion. Brian Harry, Afra Raymond, Dennise Demming, Jason Baptiste and co know more about this than I do.
Corporation Sole. We have to decide what we really want because when it’s left to be run by the Board as in the company’s act, we demand government / ministerial intervention. When the government /Minister intervene, we also have a problem. NLCB provides revenue to the state, it’s one of the better performing state owned companies. How it’s money is spent then should have some government oversite. Hence their appearance at the JSC in Parliament.
Alana, let’s be real. When we talk about government oversight in a company are we really talking about a Minister/Ministry calling to say cancel allyuh sponsorship for Chutney Soca?
So the Gov’t allowing Angostura to hire expensive lawyers to defend chairman Rolph Balgobin–who should be defending himself–but we should applaud the Finance Ministry saying don’t give this body any money?
Lasana. You find it strange that the MoF, as Corporation Sole, can give directives to a company wholly owned by the state? Ummmmmmm? Tres confused at your confusion.
NLCB, bMobile, they have products that would be “promoted” in sponsorship, what does MoF hope to promote? Why couldn’t they allow NLCB to agree on sponsorship for amount agreed upon, 900k, then NLCB would be given relevant sponsorship rights, products promotion , brand exposure…. with anticipated returns in increased sales.. as it stands, with MoF giving handout, nothing in return….
Lol. That there’s a notion the NLCB needs to promote its products existes….
But Lasana, NLCB also pulled funding g for other carnival events. Not just CSM.
Nicole I can give you a couple Wired868 stories to read from people with more knowledge on such matters than you and I who can explain the difference between State-run and State-owned.
Those stories explain precisely why the system was set up so Ministers do NOT dictate the day to day runnings of such bodies.
Just say the word and I will post them here.
But in a tiny market like this, how much brand exposure does a company like NLCB need? Is there another lottery operator here that I don’t know about?
And, let’s not forget these promoters were sourcing funding from several state agencies and ministries. What’s the ROI for us?
The MoF in relation to any entity that the state has money invested is not just any minister, he acts as Corporation Sole and they are directly answerable to the MoF.
Alana Morton It is still something, as it stands MoF is just giving taxpayers’ money with no possible returns… yes Corp Sole with responsibility for NLCB, but just a handout
Alana, I think those companies have in-house expertise to make those judgment calls. We went over why people would be concerned with regards to the Chutney Soca Monarch already. As for the other competitions that they stopped supporting or a clear policy, shouldn’t that be for them to articulate?
All you should have to do now is drop the link that explains clearly. This is messy as the GATE scenario. Do you think the Ministry of Finance has a responsibility to articulate its position clearly to the public? Or is what is going on now better?
Nicole, you think that every State-owned body must get approval from the Finance Minister before every spend? Imbert must be Jesus.
Or Captain Marvel!
But I think I understand why HE now thinks he is Jesus. Every time he open he mouth over the last few months, somebody does say”Öh Jesus!”
All these fundings such cease….. let these promoters manage their events… they charge entrance fees and they are the ones that benefit from media rights etc.. of taxpayers are sponsors, then let it be open event, lol….
Lasana. Is small goal you playing of wha? How your goal post easy to move so? I feel I taking my ball and going home oui….
Lol. Nicole, allyuh trying to hypnotise me yes. What post I moving?
State enterprises answerable to Corporation Sole. Especially in financial matters. Punto final!
Policy should be uniform for all state agencies but that’s not how stuff happens here. Corporation Sole must have a say since we also expect them to answer when things go wrong. As I said earlier, a definite statement would be welcome. However, recinding of funding to me is just a business decision, since CSM isn’t the only one to be defunded. And I accept that our circumstances are straightened and the available money is less. Events have been receiving reduced funding for a while now.
Lasana Liburd they don’t for all amounts, the Board can make decisions….
Che, if Nicole or Alana truly think that every State board sends in letters to the Finance Ministry before they every purchase or spend… Well, what can I say yes.
I suppose Imbert wasn’t Finance Minister when TSTT bought out Massy Technologies right?
This not making sense. Wired868 publishes information on how State boards and State owned companies are run. Misinformation is just not cool. But I will leave it there.
See what I mean…i say one thing…you say something totally different..and expect it to make sense…whe my ball booooyyyy
They don’t. That’s what annual PSIPs and budgets are for.
I work at a State entity. Come March we will submit our projected budget for fiscal 2019. It will be reviewed by the MOF and cuts may or may not be made. What gets approved is what we work with but money isn’t all released in October. We get releases in tranches and the budget is further modified. In the end, we very like never get all that we requested and sometimes it’s adjusted upwards if warranted.
As do ALL state enterprises..ALL
Che Abrams I also advocate that government cuts funding for religious events.
Alana Morton I agree…….
Alana I don’t know where you work so I’m not sure of how fitting the comparison is. Now that annual budget you reference might be $60 million sponsorships for instance. At the end of the year, you’d state exactly how much was spent where.
That projected budget, as you said, would have been submitted before today’s meeting with Chutney Soca promoter and NLCB CEO. So that admission is a start.
Now the difference here is in the breakdown.
NLCB knows it has $60 million (arbitrary figure) to spend on sponsorships and that’s it. That’s different to NLCB asking for money for specific events.
If Bmobile decides to spend more of its sponsorship money on Keshorn Walcott and less on Thema Williams, for instance, is that a State issue?
We know where budgets go. And at the end of the year they have to report for how money is spent. What I’m saying is the day to day running otherwise is the Board’s business.
If they cannot account or are found to have behaved badly, they are relieved of their positions.
There is a reason why State-owned board get certain autonomy to do their jobs.
And, all of that money is approved by MoF/Corporation Sole before you can spend it. Changes can and are made to the allocation at the time of approval. If your allocation for sponsorship is cut then you can’t give people money you promised before approval. And, as I keep saying, CSM is hardly singular in no longer being sponsored.
The Companies Act requires the Directors to discharge their functions in the best interest of ‘the company’, not its shareholders, staff, stakeholders or anyone else…that legal requirement in my view eclipses the current practice of Ministers giving specific directions to State Enterprises…if Ministers actually held such a power legitimately, then what would be the function of the State Enterprise board? This issue was a live one in the 2002-2003 Bernard Enquiry into the Piarco Airport project and the 2009-2010 Uff Enquiry into the Public Sector Construction Industry as well as the recent JSC imbroglio on the Tobago Ferry issue. ..
Gerard Pemberton Nicholas Jackman Sonja Gopeesingh
Afra Raymond did the Companies Act define who the company is or did it just exclude those categories? It may have created a loophole for Directors to be a law unto themselves or for Ministerial intervention.
Thanks Afra Raymond
The company is self-evident as the only entity the Directors are obliged to serve…
Lasana just bear in mind you are having a discussion with people who have openly declared their political affiliation on their FB pages. Trying to explain the colour white to people with red/yellow tinted shades is an exercise in frustration.
Good thing the Constitution guarantees us ALL the right to Association.
It also guarantees freedom of thought, so we as Trini’s should not be afraid to do so!
Alana Morton you mean stop period right?
https://wired868.com/2016/06/05/board-games-the-role-of-state-bodies-and-how-integrity-commission-can-help/
If you’re interested Nicole Ulerie or Alana Morton, the article above speaks to the roles of State boards.
Noted
Because of one song? hahahahahaha. Apparently politicians are thin skinned.
No RMC at Skinner Park
Colm have some real countish ways himself.
Those private events you speak of are part of our carnival which brings billions to our country each year. I hope when other Caribbean countries step up and take these international events from us we don’t vex about the lost of much needed foreign revenue.
Billions! Get a grip.
You need to get a grip. People only seem to check what goes into governments pocket cause most have on blinkers and can’t see the complete picture. Billions yes! Check the hotels the airlines the car rentals and all the others. If you don’t know you don’t but it seems that’s the order of things on fb people talk what they know and that’s not much. Barbados already tried to pay the promoters of soca millions to bring it there why you think that is
Winston Vallie Yep the multiplier effect could easily take it to billions. But I rather the Gov’t role be one of a broker with these private ventures than one of underwriter.
JC Beau Sejour I think the intent was to keep it at a standard because the truth is these are now international events meant to attract foreigners but with crime as it is it’s not realizing it’s full potential so what we seeing is panic and then there’s the lack of accountability but I think people are not in the know as to how much it really cost to stage these shows and the moneys government put Issa mere drop in the bucket.
That the power to decide whether it takes place or not resides with the government, shows everything that is wrong with carnival events funding arrangements. If as suggested Imbert is unable to separate funding from the Massive controversy, that would be a troubling exercise of the power of the purse.
On another score, T&T is socialised to a degree that continues to surprise this new(ish) resident. The government is mother, father, godfather, granddaddy and sugar daddy. No wonder the govt prefers to borrow money to pay wages rather than cut the workforce.
How was that decided by the Government tho? Dan, the man refused a reduced subvention and decided he wasn’t going to do the event anymore. This is a privately run event and apparently their business model relies on government expenditure. To me, that’s failure .22 years later and you still need my money for a private venture? How?? Why?? When is it going to be enough?
The country is broke ,so forget it
Bigman talk.
A few months before elections the country wouldn’t be broke anymore. The money would be released and everyone would be ordered to gather at Eddie hart grounds where cheap phones and money in jerseys would be distributed. Everyone would then be entertained by the “saviours of the country” with the gutter talk that they understand (wait and see). This is why I don’t support anyone.
It broke now, taxes going up. Take your money and pay your tax. Not a waste of time event
Dislike fools like this one only “would “and “would’nt” then start to rant!! A prophet,…maybe…..or can’t find something they did….so we’ll deal with would and would’nt…..
They does sing too much sh#$t anywhere but chutney and soca monarch…..waste of money
This country has endless money, choke on it, do the maths if you can, don’t be a parrot, please!
Oswald Victor Gallion let your mother count…..
Long live Massive! No massive show.
Mr. Liburd well said.
There should be no funding for chutney or soca monarch. Private events cannot be dependent on the govt for survival.
We have tons…tons of national events that the govt HAS NO CHOICE but to sponsor….we cannot be propping up private events…paying winnings in the millions for singing crap…not in these economic times…and promoters gettinf rich because they have to pay no prize money. That model sorry is nonsense…show me where else things like that exist.
Carnival needs many improvements not that doh….
If your event depends on govt spending to survive as a PRIVATE VENTURE then it should not exist.
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid, you on the button with this one…I have said so before…the quality of the performances leaves a lot to be desired plus these promoters earn big big bucks from television rights/streaming etc. And I really don’t think that their sponsorship comes solely from Gov’t, so they need to give us a break with the BS on ‘the lack of funding’ for cancellation of the ‘show’….
I agree.
I wondering if carnival fates will be getting money???,
Carnival fetes? :/
Nigel Tyrell P. Reid take away those private events from carnival and tell me what u got for carnival
If u take away chutney soca monarch and soca monarch from carnival? U have d same carnival that existed before them and will exist after
Winston Vallie,sorry to say but those 2 events need to leave carnival because the quality of the performances has degenerated so badly that people only look at them to gets ‘kicks;….soca monarch in the day of Super Blue and Ronnie McIntosh was something to look forward to, not what passes for talent these days…and those 2 events doh bring money to anybody except the promoters!!
Say what!!!!!!@
Are they funding Sica Monarch Patrick manning was a different person
It was good cro cro and sugar aloes sing about her but now its bad I really don’t care about chutney cause they don’t bring any thing on TV again so do so ant like so
And so the cookie crumbles
U see when they sing about kamala
It’s a pity that the satire is wasted here…but belay that, lemme just take in this stellar commentary.
HELP KAMLA HELP!!! Say something do something! !!
Kamla can’t nobody now Mr Pooran
Yes she could fund the show, she has plenty money
Kamla cut their funding to when she was in power so stop blaming this govt
See how racial this Government is, we will overcome, but let’s see what coming for Calypso competition
Ummm u comparing a national event to a private event? Wow
Pnm just want everyone to hush and take what they dishing out
And if you get money from several state agencies, how greedy are you? And why after all this time do you still need state funding? What’s your business model? Do we get an audited financial statement from them to see how they spent our money?
and thats why i said somewhere else that the Gov should take hold of the even and run it at a loss like every other state owned enterprise
That’s why no private events should be taxpayer subsidized.
He also said accou ts are submitted every year to the Culture Ministry. There’s a live video floating around
its trinidad, anything can be fabricated and a ledger can be falsified
ok so what if accounts are submitted?
What is your point Kyon?
What’s our ROI then?
whats the benefit if we dont get a cut of the profits if there are profits?
It really ought not be done simply because it can too easily lend itself to waste and or corruption.
Beyond providing startup funds govt should not be funding events …because if they need recurrent govt funding they not commercially viable …and if they not commercially viable they not culturally viable
Hahahaha can they do a feasibility study on the CSM?
Do a feasibility study on the whole carnival experiment nah, because that’s what it is
Alana Morton, stop asking sensible questions! Glad you raised the he issue of multiple ministries contributing.
Savitri Maharaj, the issue of outstanding audits rears its head again. When was the last time all of the state bodies/agencies were properly audited?
If the requirements are outstanding for one year, how do they get funding for another year? And if they are ultimately accountable to the MoF, why have they not done the right thing yet-cut funding, request outstanding audits.
Anybody know of a prime piece of land on the highway on which sits an abandoned building, supposed to be gifted to a body associated with carnival? Anybody know of a cruise promoting carnival? A video by a popular soca star which I guess not much ppl heard? So much money wasted. So liitle returns.
Nerisha, I can only repeat what I heard George Singh say this morning – accounts are submitted every year to the Ministry of Culture. How many companies who actually deal with the gov’t submit audited accounts? Why has the MoF waited until the very last minute to inform the Board of its decision? That abandoned building is one of the reason carnival should stop getting funding.
Allyuh, this is TNT!!! Anything can be fabricated!!!
Savitri Maharaj, was going to raise on another thread, but isn’t the nlcb renting or using a minister’s/ex minister’s family property for draws?
Ravi Maharaj, yuh wrong eh! Except oil rigs lol.
Nerisha Mohammed, I don’t know if it’s still happening, remember is not the PP in office eh
But I heard about that after elections and it was happening then. Then if I recall correctly, the head paid for private security for himself with their money. Lots of issues with them.
If you decline the money, how is that “pulling the rug” tho?
“On this topic, Singh said that over the last three years, the funding by the PNM administration to Chutney Soca Monarch has been reduced by 90% to less than $1million. With just eight days to go before the semi-finals of CSM, (January 13) Singh says it is totally biased and unfair that CSM gets a fraction of what is being offered to Soca Monarch.”
http://newsday.co.tt/2018/01/03/chutney-soca-funding-cut-90-per-cent/
We quoted George Singh based on his interview with LoopTT. But I can add whatever was said to Newsday.
“On this topic, Singh said that over the last three years, the funding by the PNM administration to Chutney Soca Monarch has been reduced by 90% to less than $1million. With just eight days to go before the semi-finals of CSM, (January 13) Singh says it is totally biased and unfair that CSM gets a fraction of what is being offered to Soca Monarch.”
That is totally unclear. Newsday should have tried to clarify.
What a mess Mr Impsbert.
Shame on you Llasana,shame on you.Tell me the facts,the NLCB is a Public Corp’ under the stewardship of a ‘Board’ who ,due to financial constraints,has taken a decision to cancelled their ‘financial obligation to ALL ,yes ALL, the various “Cultural bodies’ .PS:Lets see if other “gandre” are given TOTAL financial support ,yes TOTAL,bcus ,Mr Maharaj, knows their was a partial funding offered ,THEN & only THEN, can we blow our trumpet & say DISCRIMINATION
Do you work for the Ministry of Finance? If not, then feel free to attach the appropriate release from the Ministry of Finance.
Until then, we will go with word from the stakeholders.
The funding is yanked the day before the launch after the funding was promised. Isn’t there an attorney they can go to to seek redress? Funds would have been spent after the promise of funding was extended..a darn shame..
no …funding wasn’t yanked, reduced funding was offered.
Me? I’m cool because I have long believed the Govt should not be funding commercial ventures which are making men nillionaires. Let them invest their own money so that we can really discern the market for the product.
I’m absolutely fine with the government being far more cautious about how it spends its money. I’d expect a responsible government to article such changes in policy in advance of the Carnival season though.
I’d expect a fly by night bunch of amateurs to changes things on the hoof.
true,,,strangely I thought the general policy directive that we have no money and that contributions are being reduced has been articulated pretty frequently since December 2015.
Well, George Singh said NLCB already approved the money and then had an about turn just before their launch after a call from the Finance Ministry.
So unless the initial NLCB approval came before December 2015, then that is strange eh Kwesi Prescod?
Hmmmmm
Nlcb under min of finance so I guess the directive will come from there and not culture as to where they can spend tax payers money
Lasana, your artcle seems to suggest causality between Massive Gosein’s song and the lack of funding.
is there evidence of thsi causality, or just speculation?
I just put the timeline. If I unfairly accused the Finance Ministry of something improper, then they could sue me for libel.
I may have also missed where in your story you referenced that the promoter rejected the Govt’s offer of partial funding of $900K?
Kwesi maybe you missed the story that is referenced for the article. And that was the first story written on the decision to cancel the Chutney Soca Monarch.
If you like, I’d wait for you to read it and return.
so…then your alleging causation is your adding spice to the news?
Your concern is that I “added spice” to a news story in a satirical column?
oh…this was satire?….looked like news reporting to me, given the amount of facts and context which you try to draw a particular conclusion.
Maybe I have to refine my satire lens to recognise it better.
Lasana Liburd, please explain what is Satire…. We not that bright ??
So Kwesi you’ve never read the Live Wire column then? Because I have seen you comment on stories before. Lots of times.
Maybe you can explain what is so unsettling to you and I can try to respond to that. I won’t ask you to refine your lens on my account. That sounds expensive. Don’t think the country can afford it.
But wait a minute….. Toronto Caribbean Carnival formerly Caribana, gets money from the City of Toronto, and the books are open. Scotia Bank was a premier sponsor for the festival and pulled away from the festival in 2017.
Toronto has had a history of the organizers seeking their OWN interest of the festival. Hence why the name has changed and the committee members have changed.
Toronto Carnival is a private event?
semi….when Scotia bank took over the Comittee they partnered with the City…there are cultural grants that can be applied for by the public. I guess the city has the grants available because of the return that they get to the Hospitality industry
I am sure Toronto does not sponsor in the manner that we do.
Sheldon Scipio yuh MAD or wha? hence the name change from Caribana to Toronto Caribbean Carnival….people use to take the grant money and pay they friggin mortgage before securing the services from vendors
Toronto Carnival is run by a cultural association, it’s not a business. The city of Toronto grants the association the use of municipal agencies because the event draws tourists and is profitable to the city, private sponsors use the event’s popularity as a marketing tool for their brand.
Vernal is TRINIDADIANS running the show…need i say more
But it takes place in and is overseen by the city of Toronto, they have to come correct.
Vernal yuh ever hear the Gov in TnT ask an old man how he does spend his 3000 “grant?”
when Scotiabank was involved YES it was overseen by a committee….prior to that it was the Caribana committee…now this yr it will be another company that will be taking over the headline sponsorship of the event.
Where is the right to free speech ? That’s your first Amendment right. I guess that don’t apply in T&T.
Mel Lissa, was it last year or this year they opened the gates after poor turnout?
Two years
since Machel stopped competing
same time I stopped going 🙂
So they selling a product few care to buy and demand taxpayer money so that it’s still profitable?
Nice!
Even when people was buying (at ISM) and it was profitable they still demaned taxpayer money
Vernal yuh think that now ISM not profitable they wouldn’t want taxpayers’s money?
No, but I doh know which one worse.
last year the place was EMPTY up until 12am….imagine revenue coming in from PPV…is that all factored in to the decision of cancelling it? why arent the broadcasting rights secured a yr in advanced?
ISM next on the chopping board ..I presume
http://www.guardian.co.tt/news/2018-01-04/soca-monarch-jeopardy—scoon
hahahahaha the last paragraph
Yuh like too much shit! Hahaha
I agree 100% with the decision not to fund this competition with public funds. They have crossed the line into a level of vulgarity. depravity, indecency and disrespect that is intolerable. The promoters must be responsible enough to exercise self censorship in the interest of public decency and not depend on the fig leaf of don’t censor the arts. The song should be banned from all types of public airing. could you imagine the crowds singing in fetes and on stages all over this land Rowley mother cxxx? and no funding next year either if this item is allowed in this years competition.
But let us not be naive eh, Chutney Monarch eh cancel.
The promoters will cry discrimination by pointing to Soca Monarch’s larger subsidy (and rightly so), then sensing the opportunity to defend Indo honor Kamla will rouse herself from slumber, flake the wapya from her face, man the podium and lead the campaign. Then, percieving how it looks, the government will cave to demands and afford to the Chutney Monarch promoters the same opportunity to fleece the taxpayer as they afforded the Soca Monarch promoters.
About time
All Carnival events should self sufficient. Very minimal gov’t funding.
Or at least, funding should just be used in the first year or two, to get the event off the ground.
Been saying that a long time Devinesh.
SCM and ISM as well as Panorama and Dimanche Gran should been able to make a profit but marketing of events very poorly done- I guess no involvement from Tourism Company.
Time for private ventures on tax payers $ to stop.
You the taxpayer actually fund the show, then day to attend.
BS
Ent! But don’t worry, taxpayers have to fund them because of the number of comps does pass! Lol.
Well written piece
The need for government funding show how little these promoters invest, or, how poor a show is put out, or, the true value of the show.
Hmmm
But if we are the shareholders because is our taxpayer$, why don’t we call for accountability for how our monies are spent.
In other words, the govt subsidising fetes for a few to enjoy, while another few reap the profits. There does not seem to be any sustained and consistent effort to make these events self sufficient. And I guess that is what you get when politricks infiltrates everything.
Pull finance from all competitions. None should be funded.
Toyota Cup too??
Not me and allyuh Trini baccahnal nah! The man say “gladiatorial pits” yes!! Priceless!!
Seriously though, “so allyuh eh want to ban him from allyuh completion? We go see bout dat!!”
Lasana if the government does not give you a black cent to run Wired 868, then better you promote Chutney and Soca Monarchs ….. in fact run Eid, Divali and Christmas while you at it.
Yuh go ease up the taxpayer!
???
Once the main financier pulls out, others will usually follow. Ask what was once Carib Tokyo what happened when Carib pulled out…
much ado about nothing…the show will go on
The show been cancelled rofl
Btw, if NLCB’s decision is all it takes for the Chutney Soca Monarch to topple over, then something was really wrong with that body.
Regardless, the Finance Ministry has to explain its decision–if the allegations are true. And we would expect to see some consistency now regarding funding of all competitions.
Who runs a business for 23 years and still depend on govt subsidy? Wish was me
explain what? u mean they should explain why athletes and the sick had to give up funding to these shows for the past decade plus
Yes. They can explain that too. Taxpayers should know what money is spent and why. It should not be made up on the hoof.
Savitri Maharaj PSTC, WASA, CAl, NP PSA, PATT, the whole of Trinidad and Tobago. Shall go on
2018 CHUTNEY MONARCH CANCELLED….PANORAMA, SOCA MONARCH, KAISO they are all on a life-line for money????
Life line, my brother? That is a bread line!
Again … how does government determine how much taxpayer money is to be given to fete promoters so that they can promote their private ventures?
Good question. I’ve been saying for some time now that the Soca Monarch shouldn’t be subsidised. If anything, just give them the venue for free.
I feel only in cases where you’re trying to save a valuable cultural expression from extinction should you consider funding. Not in cases where promoters and artistes are making a big profit.
Or maybe somewhere in between there is a formula than can work. But of course this has to be across the board–otherwise it would be discriminatory.
Doh gee dem shit!
Surely you mean, ghee, racist? Lol. That ‘dem’ is a dead giveaway.
Lemme write Colm yes. I never say anything about anybody mamee.
Lasana Liburd, if, for eg, like the year they had it shown live on BET, they van justify it as marketing.
Of course, in the anti-midas touch land, we wasted the opportunity because of the lag between artistes, inconsistent performances, long showtime. It could have been used to properly promote tourism and opened the doors for artistes if managed properly.
Nerisha that’s a good point. I could get behind that.
Why improve a substandard product if you know the government will give you taxpayer money for it anyway?
Just look at CAL!
Vernal Damion Cadogan, I agree with the first part. I find CAL service is good value for money, except for the Tobago air bridge!
That service would be better had the airline had to compete on a level playing field as it’s competitors, daiz basic POB …. and I know because I have a 3 in basic POB! LOL
I just asked Cory Gilkes to check for me. He is a master researcher so I am expecting him to come back and tell me the truth, which is that the government looks at how you voted before they decide how much you will get.
Lasana,
How much of the taxpayer’s money does the government give you to keep Wired 868 going?
Doh answer, boy! Somebody just whisper in my ear that govt cutting out subvention to anybody who make a public statement about receiving funding. Yuh tink is a accident that they put in charge of the NCC the man who sing”Ffive, ten cent, dollar”? Daiz the only kinda money deh talking bout these days, not millions and billions anymore..