We view with disappointment and dismay recent statements by the new Minister of The Arts and Multiculturalism, The Honourable Dr. Lincoln Douglas, about (1) Carnival and (2) meetings and proposals from us. Whilst we seek no war of words or anything else, it forces us to make this response.
In the first instance, we reserve comment on the “privatization of Carnival” and stand ready to discuss it as soon as he explains what he means. We do not accept that the statement was made to initiate discouse and we do not expect such an educated person, new to the job, before familiarizing himself with the intricacies of his portfolio, would choose this option to begin discussion on a matter so sensitive.
Secondly, on a morning television interview, the goodly Minister alluded to meeting with a wide range of groups, including us, only two of which (named) brought any proposals.
Regrettably, he has misrepresented the tenor if the meetings, at least those called with us (Pan Trinbago, TUCO, NCBA) and we wish to state categorically that we were called at short notice for a meeting of introduction to the new Minister.
The Presidents only were invited but we attended with other members of our respective executives, and indicated the need for a longer meeting to make our respective presentations. It is passing strange that the Minister should speak of bringing the elements of Carnival together when he does not take the time or opportunity to hold a meeting with representatives of these elements as a group. Dr. Douglas has started his term of office making the same error as his predecessor,that is, making uninformed statements and attacking the cultural bodies. Ministers come and Ministers go, but cultures of the people go on. Pan, calypso and Mas, we have seen many. Our interest is, and continues to be the survival, continuation and propagation of our culture in an ever changing internal and external environment. To this end, we are prepared to hold talks, enter into meaningful dialogue, and execute plans, programmes and events, with any entity of like mind and purpose.
As an elected representative of the people of Lopinot/Bon Air West, Dr. Douglas requires a certain respect, as the elected representatives of the three main branches of Carnival, we expect nothing less.
Signed:
Pan Trinbago, Trinbago Unified Calysponians Organization (TUCO) and National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA)
From the news desk of Pan Trinbago
Replies
Agree! I like Dr. Douglas' style, but I am disappointed in this instance. This run to talk is bothersome. The idea of "privatisation" should have been kept private among himself and a group of shareholders, until there was an agreement to go with it or drop it. What is this pretense at democracy, when key people do not have a say to confirm ideas before they go public?
It's better for the minister to state his views publicly now rather than after its a fait accompli. That way the 'stakeholders' i.e. the people of TnT can have a say and their opinions heard.
However I'm at a loss to understand this privatization talk. After all there are some private aspects to carnival that are indeed private (band launches etc) and others that aren't really private like the shows produced by private promoters that the government still has to contribute to. So how is the minister envisioning this privatization.
Would for example 'Dimanceh Gras' be offered up for tender and a promoter selected according to some criteria and what would those criteria be? We all know how things like this can descend into who knows who and who is benefiting from what.
What about the parade of the bands? Would private individuals put up the prize money and arrange the judging at their private venues? Would the spectators along the road be charged to watch? Or would the parade be held in private venues with admission charges.
If carnival is bringing in revenues to the country as we have been told, is it not in the govt's interest to sponsor it and make it as attractive as possible as a way to increase the revenues to the national coffers and offer all the citizens a way to make a little money for themselves- even if it's only for a short time- and so reduce their dependence on the state?
If privatization occurs would those small men be deprived of their opportunity to make a little thing for themselves because they may be infringing on someone else's copyright or license?
Privatization is essentially turning over a state enterprise to a private entity in return for some sort of accommodation, financial or otherwise, so what will be the value of such accommodation and who would value it and will that process be available to everyone or only to the rich and connected.
Will it be available to everyone or only to nationals?
All this and more needs to be discussed in the public domain and long before any talk of privatization can be considered policy.
Good to hear an objective voice in an ocean of political subjectivity. In the long run the status quo will prevail because it is all about "a lot of money being made by a lot of nameless, faceless people whose hands are in the till" and they are not about to relinquish that honeycomb under any circumstances. We are decades away from focusing on the final product and hiring the most skilled and competent personnel to achieve that end.
As Williams said (when he was totally misunderstood): MONEY IS NOT THE PROBLEM!!!
The new Minister maybe listening to the same People the former had to listening too. It have ah thing they call bad advise so, one must be very careful in these here times. Doh let no body set you up Comrade Minister, they feel that yuh justcome, so yuh easy to manipulate. After all is said and done, is you the people go hate, so tread easy.
Pantrinbago has finally stood up for something meaningful for our PAN culture and I congratulate them. This new Minister must know and realise, that Carnival is the only tourist attraction that our Beloved T&T has. Millions of dollars are made every Carnival because of the creativity of our people be it by our Steelband / Soca / Calyso and our Mas. We always boast of T&T Carnival being the best in the world yet he is suggesting that we privatise a Cash Cow like Carnival which brings in so much revenue to our Treasury. I think he dont have a clue about this Portfolio that he is in control of. He needs to rethink his stratagies. Square Peg in round Hole!!!
"IF" Carnival Privatization means, a great boast to the ecconomy of T&T and "Real Equity" for all stake holders, shouldn't we opt for innovation over tradition?
Hey, Ian, is Brazil Carnival or New Orleans Mardi Gras "privatized"? Don't they make a lot of money for their respective countries, due to the attraction to the cultural ritual itself? When we speak of "privatization", do we mean turning Trinidad & Tobago Carnival into a Disneyland-type of business, where only a select few, make money off the "attraction"? Just need some clarification on your comment. Thanks, colleague. Hotep.
Ghost.
The definition of privatization is simple: selling something owned by the people to the highest bidder. They can then do with it what they want, usually paying some small tax or stipend for the license to do what they want with it.
Somewhat like what we did with the oil.
Thanks Ghost,
That is why I used quotation marks for the word/s "IF" & "Real Equity"
My term stake holders is every Man, Woman and Child.
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