Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Members of Koskeros Steel Orchestra are worried about the 2k12 Carnival season since they might not have anywhere to call home.
Leader/arranger the orchestra, Kenny “Boy Boy” Pascal told TnT Mirror that he was told that there are plans to evict them soon from their Railway Road, Rio Claro home.
“People are coming and taking measurements, but no one said anything official to us or served us any notice.
“We have been operating for over 20 years and I think we should be informed of what is taking place,” Pascal said. The band was expected to begin practice from January 03.
Mirror was reliably informed that the land belongs to the Public Transport Service Commission (PTSC) and steps are being taken to acquire it for the construction of a transit hub.
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That is absolutely disgusting because Koskero's are the onlt panside from that area who take part in the Panorama since the demise of the Panside Radix which were last seen in the late 80's in San Fernando
What transport hub are they talking about. The PTSC is not a private concern it is the government business and if they are going to take the land they have a right to find a place for them. Koskeros is going the same way of the Pan in schools program, there seems to be a trend where state and steelpans are concerned, Yet it will be promoted in some strange countries while being treadted like **** in its own home.
Gypsy is supposed to look after all things Rio Claro and Mayaro but he is sticking. Single pan competition will not be the same without Keskeros
Reading between the lines, it appears that the steelband, (like at least one other band that I know of). was occupying government lands left vacant when the TGR folded up their railroad operations.
It also appears that previous governments had knowledge of the situation, but allowed it to exist.
The current government may not be as interested in the welfare of the steelband and its people, and have decided to enforce their right of ownership.
it is incumbent upon steelbands and their governing body Pan Trinbago to make sure that any such agreements be legally binding, and not be too comfortable with informal arrangements that may be changed at any time by the whims of politicians.
(Here, I'm assuming that Pan Trinibago has a responsibility to attend to, or at least to assist with the legal affairs of their members. If that is not the case, then what does the organization stand for? )
It,s a clear picture that the government has no interest in their National Heritage,the Steelpans/steelband, should one follow the news on a daily basis,if this is not a fact,,then a plot of land with a structure thereon ought to be given or alotted to , be it a steelband/,steelpan union or steelpan federation,so that all steelbands has a place to practice and indulge in whatever is beneficial for them,the land must not be given to any one party,,let me re-state once more,,,,one should look keenly to where interest is generated relevant to culture ,,the truth,,it,s as plain and clear as daylight,,,,,THE TRUTH,,,music has no borders,,,,race,,,religion,,indifference,,politics,,culture,,,NOTE FOR NOTE,,,,,,TONE FOR TONE,,,,written only in one INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE,,,many may and would be conscious of what my comment entails or point to,,,some may deem it to be negative,,,others the true facts,,,nevertheless ,,,LET US BE HONEST TO OURSELVES WITH GOD IN OUR HEARTS.....THE TRUTH SHALL SET US ALL FREE.
Who gave them permission to use the land? Were they paying rent? You simply cannot take over someone's property without an agreement. Put the blame directly where it belongs. On the head of the leader/owner of the band. If they were negligent in making formal arrangements to use the land, then they will have to vacate the premises when they are told. We are living the 21st century. You must know what you are doing today, otherwise you cannot play in the major leagues. Ignorance is bliss for the uninformed. Is anyone learning anything in that place? If you do not expand your horizons, you will always lose. Someone is going to get upset with me - but the MENTALITY of the people have to change.
Maybe if they would have keep the place clean & nice,They would not have be evicted.Think about that.
Here it goes again,EVICTION,,i ain,t tired,,the total shame and disgrace is that the Ministry of Culture sits and does nothing,everyone recieves a salary at the end of the month,,,work or no work,,, deh get pay,,,,ah no a lot ah peoople gon vex,,,,,it doesn,t bother me,, it,s the truth,,,this nonsense must be immediately addressed and be retified with the intervention of all concerned.,,there must be a solution,,,20 years is not 20 days .once more had a piece of,,,,a plot of land being alloted earlier for all the steelbands ,,this would have been avoided.