Two mas-band organisations have joined forces in opposition to the plan by the National Carnival Commission (NCC) to reverse the parade route for Carnival 2014.This has been the second time in as many years that this same plan has been rejected by bandleaders.The National Carnival Development Foundation (NCDF) and T&T Carnival Bandleaders Association (TTCBA) united on Thursday evening to declare their opposition to the route.
In a meeting at St Mary's College, Pembroke Street, Port-of-Spain, both groups suggested there were numerous issues that could stop this new route from being successful.The NCC said the route would decrease congestion on the road but this has been rejected by bandleaders.The NCC first presented this plan during consultations with the three major mas organisations–the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA), NCDF and the TTCBA–in 2013, but it was rejected.
This year, the TTCBA and NCDF were excluded from discussions and the NCC presented the plans again early this month, saying last week that bandleaders had reached an agreement.Vice-president of the NCDF Jean-Paul Touchet said the majority of his members were opposed to the new route.The NCDF represents most of the large bands such as Tribe, Harts, Island People, Yuma and Legacy.
TTCBA President Gerard Weekes said the organisations intended to write to the NCC, Arts Minister Lincoln Douglas and the Prime Minister."We want a response by January 31," Weekes said.Carnival will be celebrated on March 3 and 4 this year.
NCC Response
The NCC said on Thursday that it was still awaiting police approval for the new route and that it was not yet set in stone.NCC chairman Allison Demas also said the NCC was open to dialogue with bandleaders. Instead of meeting with the representative organisations, however, the NCC will meet with bandleaders on a one-on-one basis.She said these meetings will begin on Monday."We are seeking a proposal that would reduce the congestion by more than 25 per cent," Demas said.
She said engineers had promised that the new route would decrease congestion by 25 per cent."We have weighed the pros and cons and we are asking bandleaders to just keep an open mind. Let us hear your concerns."The NCC said progress could not be made without the co-operation of the bandleaders, adding that when the plan was first announced, bandleaders were notably reluctant to contribute.
New route
The new route means that masqueraders leaving Woodbrook will now move east along Tragarete Road before turning onto Victoria Avenue and heading up to the Queen's Park Savannah, which they will approach from the western side of the stage.They will then pass through the Savannah heading east before heading to downtown Port-of-Spain.