Govt puts $53m more into this year’s Carnival

Cabinet has approved almost $100 million for Carnival 2012. Arts and Multiculturalism Minister, Winston Peters, said Cabinet approved an additional $53 million to supplement the $43.5 million, which was previously allocated for the event, dubbed the “Greatest Show on Earth”. Peters said that during yesterday’s weekly post-Cabinet news briefing at the Diplomatic Centre, St Ann’s. It was chaired by Parliamentary Secretary in the Foreign Affairs and Communications Minister, Senator Nicole Dyer-Griffith. In explaining the reason for the additional $53 million, Peters said: “Carnival incurs a lot of debt (and) as a matter of fact we have debt that runs over from last year. “Some of these contractors we owe them from last year and we have to find money to pay them this year, so we owe a lot of money for different reasons.”

 

Peters said since last year there had been a “marked improvement” in the facilities being constructed for the Carnival events. He said Carnival was a big business and the Government was attempting to do all it could to ensure this year’s celebrations were the best ever. Peters also said State-owned national carrier, Caribbean Airlines, had confirmed bookings for 220,000 people coming for the celebrations, which culminate with two days of mas, on February 20 and 21, at venues across the nation. Peters said there would be no $2 million first prize for major Carnival competitions. He said: “There will be no $2 million payment by the Government but if the entities (TUCO/Pan Trinbago/ NCBA)... if they want to find their own money by raising it, they can do that. We are not stopping them.”

 

When Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar announced the $2 million payment in May 2010 she said it would be a one-off payment. He said the Government “funds every single thing that goes on with these entities and the Government doesn’t get any returns from it whatsoever, none.” He said all the entrance fees went to the respective organisations. Peters also said the Government was not prepared to accept a call from promoter of the International Soca Monarch, William Munro, for a US$1 million first prize. He added: “No, we can’t give him that for the prize money but we are putting a significant amount of money into the Soca Monarch, the Chutney Monarch.”

 

Peters said the various Carnival bodies could used any initiative they saw fit to raise the money to increase the prizes. Meanwhile, Tobago Development Minister, Vernella Alleyne-Toppin, said $3.2 million was allocated for 11 steelbands from Tobago to take part in the Panorama semi-finals and possibly finals this year. “In the event that all of them come through to the final the total figure will be $3.2 million,” she added. She said if fewer bands from Tobago qualify the allocation would be less. She said that figure was for meals, accommodation and ground, air and sea transport.