Calypso final moves back to Dimanche Gras Govt writes off $100m NCC debt to contractors... Government has approved $289 million for the National Carnival Commission (NCC) to host Carnival 2014. Carnival 2014 was launched at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port of Spain on Wednesday evening with pomp and ceremony by Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Dr Lincoln Douglas and NCC chairman Allison Demas. The Government has wiped the NCC’s slate clean, taking it out of the red to the tune of well over $100 million in claims from contractors since 2011. According to Edward Metivier, adviser to the Minister of Arts and Multicultu- ralism, the Government has approved $289 million for the NCC for Carnival 2014 but the debt had to be paid. With the money came a clear mandate, and according to new CEO Michael Guyadeen, “The NCC has to manage and deliver Carnival 2014 to achieve financial probity, institute transparent procurement policies with the objective that the general public has access to all contracts to be awarded.” The NCC’s strategic goal is to refocus responsibility for Carnival “the festival”, to Carnival “the industry”. It also has to facilitate business development and management support services aimed at developing the capacity of stakeholders, especially special interest groups. According to Demas, Dimanche Gras will take on a new look, with the Calypso Monarch being crowned at the Savannah, greeting the dawn of Jouvert and making way for the reign of the Merry Monarch. Demas also spoke about events in Carnival such as an art exhibition, film festival series (three short films), Karnivata (an all-inclusive event showcasing Indo Trinidad) and Glare, a Jouvert fete. The theme for Carnival 2014 is “Many people, One Carnival” and the logo was unveiled at the Savannah. There were performances by reigning Calypso Monarch Pink Panther, Junior Calypso Monarch Aaron Duncan, KI and K Rich, as well as reigning Panorama champion Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove and other steel orchestras. (Source: Trinidad Express)
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:30:00 +0000