NATIONAL CARNIVAL COMMISSION ADDRESSES ONGOING CONCERNS OF MAS FRATERNITY

The National Carnival Commission (NCC) recently held a meeting with members of the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bandleaders Association (TTCBA) to discuss the Association’s concerns. The meeting was in keeping with the NCC’s policy of open dialogue with all carnival stakeholders.

Among the issues discussed were the TTCBA’s concerns about transparency of the National Carnival Bands Association; recognition of the TTCBA as a bona fide representative body for bandleaders and the lack of consultation with Carnival stakeholders over plans for the 2014 festival.

The NCC would like to assure all stakeholders that while the organization fully understands the Association’s concerns; it can only operate within the framework of its mandate. While the NCC will be taking action to deal with some of the concerns identified by the Association, it wishes to emphasize the following:

1. The NCC recognises the NCBA and will treat with it as stated under the Act 9, 1991; as the body most representative of the mas fraternity;
2. The NCBA is a legally autonomous body and the NCC cannot interfere in its internal affairs;
3. The NCC will make recommendations on the way forward;
4. The NCC prefers to deal with one representative for the entire Mas fraternity;
5. The NCC does not want to engage in any actions outside of its purview that may further aggravate and divide the Mas fraternity.

Interim CEO of the NCC, Mr Edward Metivier commented on the planned protest march by the TTCBA, stating that he hoped the group would exercise more patience and employ more productive means to address its members’ concerns. He further assured that the NCC is taking action and while it may not happen in the time frame that the TTBCA requires, systems must be allowed to take their course.