Mister Randall Mitchell, send help for unsponsored steelbands please.
Open letter to the Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, Mister Randall Mitchell.
By Aquil Arrindell
Much thanks and appreciation for the reopening of the Cultural Relief Grant for artists (five thousand dollars for artistes) earlier this year. Though a large number of bands complained that their players have not received any relief, we are still hopeful that your ministry would show a greater consideration for panists and their livelihoods. We are confident that your ministry, together with a vibrant steelband movement, can market this country as a must-experience cultural euphoria that one must be a part of in one’s lifetime. The result being that steelpan would continue to be our most valued tourism product, which puts money into the coffers of the government and by extension, the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
It has now been over 20 months that Trinidad and Tobago have endured the effects of the pandemic. Emotionally, physically and financially, we are all affected one way or another. Most often, through low periods such as these, we can really see how much we have matured as a society, based on the performance of our leaders. Leaders must care for the underprivileged first, as they are the most vulnerable among us. I am openly sharing my experience and insights into what bandleaders are facing at this point and am hopeful it may positively guide action.
We all know the devastating effect the pandemic has had on our entertainment industry and the steelbands are not exempted from its effects. Steelbands mostly operate as non-profit organisations within their communities. Because of that, very few steelbands would have had reserves of capital. It has been almost two years of paying utilities, maintenance of premises and the steel pans, which we have recognized as our national instrument. It has taken a toll on our bandleaders to the point of frustration, some even contemplating closing down indefinitely. We are asking for assistance for our steelbands. We applaud the government for financially assisting businesses to stay afloat through the pandemic, however, we, as NGO’s, need that assistance as well.
Last year, it was alleged that the grants for unsponsored bands were used by Pan Trinbago to host a show that benefited a handful of bands. Although this was said to be untrue by the then president, Beverly Ramsey Moore, we saw no representation on behalf of the unsponsored steelbands to access the grant for these steelbands’ needs. I am, on behalf of all unsponsored steelbands, humbly suggesting that whatever the allocation is in this new financial year, at this time, it should be split up equally to all unsponsored steelbands as this would be in the spirit of which that grant allocation was intended for use.
I thank you for your attention
Aquil Arrindell.
President of Pan Moving Forward.
Replies
Mr. Claude the Minister will help and his continue good work will ensure victory in Tobago this evening. After all, he is the minister of tourism and Tobago economy is heavily dependant on his policies.
Mr. Claude, like I was wrong about Tobago.
Is RANDALL MITCHELL you are talking to?
Yuh wasting your time AQUIL!!! Ten times worse than DOCTOR DOLLY and she was a PATHETIC MESS!!!