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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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In Toronto the city stopped funding Caribana and the Business community took over the sponsorship because they knew what was at stake. Just mentioning!
Toronto Caribana festival gets new sponsor
TORONTO – The Bank of Nova Scotia has announced a multi-year sponsorship of the Toronto Caribana Festival.
“Scotiabank Caribana makes our community a richer one by celebrating the diversity of the city,” Canada’s most international bank, which has a strong presence in the Caribbean, stated Friday.
Caribana has run annually since 1967, highlighted by a street parade attended by hundreds of thousands of people and a Caribbean festival on the Toronto islands.
The summer festival has become a major international event which the city government estimates brings $300 million a year into Toronto.
Caribana was run by a community organization, the Caribbean Cultural Committee, which ran into financial trouble in 2006. The city government provided money to maintain the festival, amid allegations of fraud and misappropriation of funds.
“Given Scotiabank’s extensive presence in the Caribbean, and the importance of this event to the city of Toronto and many of our customers and employees, this event is a natural fit for us,” stated Chris Hodgson, head of domestic personal banking for Scotiabank, which has a sponsorship and donation budget of over $40 million.
What a MASSIVE increase.
And the country don’t have money
Hahaha !!!
Bring in Rowlee mudder to count.
Huh. Don’t doubt she wud have done a better job. Them older ppl is crackshot at maths wen dey ready.
Especially when counting their pension. ?
Ray Patterson, your point don’t need sharpening ?
There are some fundamental issues at play here.
The nlcb has created it’s own monopoly without either transparency or equity and then redistributing it’s income.
How is it the the minister of finance may direct who the nlcb sponsors?
I agree with you. Without policy there is adhocracy.
But some thing is wrong with the formula. If without sponsorship the show cannot go on it means that the event is not viable unless they consider sponsorships revenue.
While the little dog laughed to see such fun, the dish ran away with the spoon.
http://www.cnc3.co.tt/press-release/breaking-govt-raises-chutney-soca-monarch-funding-300000-1-million
Ent!!!
It never fails
Comic relief
And while people laugh they are robbed.
Part of the culture
Stupidity?
Yes I know!
??♂️ wha we go do
Bend over and wait for it again next year.
Buh WDA, Vernal, yuh eh see it ^^^
Election campaign in full swing
I am still waiting on my allotment of taxpayer money I don’t deserve to promote my Szechuan Soca Monarch competition.
All games Long waterry steupsss
Shit?
I should block this foolish site.
?
Jamette power??
Take win #comment2018
Killed it with the Jon Snow comment!!!
I think just that part.of the article sent me to the “watch” after that lolol..
Do you really want us to believe you
#shade
And you see it’s spelt Rowlee eh
A couple’s therapist yes…ah weak
Seems like Massive was used as leverage…. First he was banned (so no money eh), then he’s in (well that’s why we eh getting money) so now we get de money, let’s see if Massive makes it to the final…..
Are they serious…this is the height of incompetence… I hope they realize it’s real money they playing with and not play money.. is like everyday is a ‘vaps’ with this government
Sound like somebody pass go one to many times
Tony Maxwell Hatt, it should be scary. How is information submitted and verified? Is this a sign that we should be looking more closely?
Let’s wait and see
It was a mistake.By all the muddled counts !!
Ole mas yes!
What the heck??!!
Abeo Jackson this caption
Crying! ???
??
Fake news…ppl spreading…chutney getting $1m..they jus r got .3m$ cut.
So you didn’t hear that Imbert said that HIS Ministry is the one that got it wrong and offered chutney the wrong money first? Smh. So they put out wrong info and it is the media who giving fake news? That is Trump-esque man.
Story updated with new information…
Ah had to go read it AGAINNN?????
If iz nice…
Dat is one THICK SOLID DOTTED LINE dhey boy
Carnival, bacchanal an annual occurrence
Judus
These promoters of all these shows are profiting and getting rich off these events and yet still gov’t giving them funding in the disguise of being T&T culture. So many non profitable sports and cultural organizations don’t get one red cent people just working for charity and expenses coming from there own pockets.
One man, one song,that is all it took.if you are in public eye and you are afraid of critics,you should leave,if you afraid of commentary ,leave.but when you can’t handle it,that is how to react.kill the message.as usual a useless govt.lacking in vision in everything
Also, they should have just left Massive alone from the very beginning and allow him to sing his song. The govt fuel Massive’s song, they put the wind in his sails, they made the song big. If they had just ignored it it would have blown over… Just let the man sing… Freedom of speech ignore him.
Precisely. It’s just a silly little song that would have blown over quickly. Not like it is hard hitting social commentary. It doesn’t even articulate a position against the Govt… They treated it like it was Gypsy’s “Sinking Ship”.
Boyyyy I don’t know who does advise these people. If they had ignored it from the beginning that song would have stayed in a small circle of people. The rest of the population wouldn’t have had a clue that song existed. I had no clue along with probably 80% of the population who Massive was or this song until the govt made a big stink about it and raise it up like an ants nest.
well
1. Trinidad and Tobago does not allow for freedom of speech, this isnt the United States of America.
2. MANY songs were pulled by Government for similar messages, it isnt to do with the PM..but if everyone in a “fete” gonna be singing.. uh MOTHER COUNT…chances are they not gonna say your mother COUNT…. (its Trinidad and Tobago)….we ALL know what people was gonna shout.
Listen, I don’t want those calypsonians to hold back in skinner park come calypso semis, I look forward to the hard hitting songs they come up with. I’m afraid that this unnecessary stink the govt raised for this silly song will cause some calypsonians to hold back or to become scared to sing. Steups
Leave the people to sing their songs, leave Massive alone
Why must decent, right-minded people ignore a song of profanity (doh geh tie up with that “count” word) and hatred towards the PM to just past?
“Paul Yuh Mudder Come” was banned because of what Crazy intention was, although “Paul” was used instead of “haul” yuh mudder “c..t”. Why we playing naive about this and what the intention is? Come on nah man, allyuh big and full ah sense.
Editor’s Note: Subsequent to the initial LoopTT report, Finance Minister Colm 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.”
The State has taken a decision to reduce funding to Carnival competitions like the CSM by one third.
The mob making noise so he reversed his decision? They need to stop funding these things.
Good sense prevailed ?
Govt weaj
Weak*
Typical Colm. He goes for the throat…
http://www.cnc3.co.tt/press-release/breaking-govt-raises-chutney-soca-monarch-funding-300000-1-million
This country is an ongoing comedy festival yes
Damn straight! Hahaha. False information by whom exactly? Talk about back track.
fake news?
What is fake news?
They’re all like characters in a VS Naipaul story. No wonder he won the damn Nobel Prize. Too much raw material.
I too believe government should not fund chutney, soca monarch and all other private carnival events. I don’t understand why they are dependent on funding from the govt, and if you don’t get your show cannot survive? Well close up shop. This is not a race issue because I think government funding for soca monarch should stop also. Imagine govt fund soca monarch for many years then the past owner sold the rights to the competition. My question is, when soca monarch changed owners and the previous owner was paid did he give the government a portion of that money since the govt invested in it for so many years or did he pocket all the money? Let those private events change their business model and learn how to survive on their own. Stop looking for handouts every damn year.
I said elsewhere this was all grand charge and the show will go on..
http://www.cnc3.co.tt/press-release/breaking-govt-raises-chutney-soca-monarch-funding-300000-1-million
Taxpayers’ money…. wonder if we can go in free to these Events, lol… damn joke
How long this going on, 22 years? You ever went in free..lol
Taxpayers money wasting on Carnival. Vine growing on Pantrinbago headquarters
Thanks Sav. I just got back to computer and saw release.
Alana Morton, is this policy on the hoof? How can anyone have confidence in what is happening here?
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.”
This is absurd.
I said earlier, what policy? And why do you think we even marginally organised? Carnival is a surprise every year….
Sigh. Can’t argue with you there nah Alana. Then we talk about diversifying the economy. Steups.
Seem like the cost of taking ah crap at CSM going up every year!!!
Create a problem to fix it.
Cheap old political cheap trick lol.
I can bet a million bucks that the govt will give Chutney Monarch enough $$.
Watch and see.
It’s all games folks!!!!
So much for freedom of speech.
Spiteful. Hope it becomes a Road March
No money
Nothing for Indians take that
Well done Minister of Finance………..No funding must be made available for private events like Soca and Chutney Monarch as a matter of government Policy
Good job! Full support!
No money for Indian people only PNM people could sing about others
Its to plain
At least we can fix the golf course..lol
Not only do we mistake stupidity for creativity we endorse the jackassness to perpetuate a continous shit storm where we all jump and bathe in. We only looking at that controversial song the wrong way. The lyrics itself isn’t offensive it’s the connotations of what seem to be a Dame Lorraine with either a Zwartes Peits face or coon kitchen logo for a face which I find is completely offensive to black men and women world wide. It’s Fucking racist. I await all the idiots who would jump and say it’s await good song and jump to insults. Jeeze
These shows are sold out, what happens to all of that money?
Ask the promoter because that is a very good question