Supposedly all of the Ministry's plans will be revealed at Queens Hall next Wednesday, including the revelation of the planned parade route. I have to say that the same thing happened with Carifesta when the Chairman of that event, Kenny De Silva (who was also chairman of the NCC) resigned and the portfolio was taken over by Minister Williams, well anyone who went to Carifesta can tell you how poorly the event turned out.
I don't want to forecast on what these new developments mean for Carnival 2007, clearly the persons now involved with it's planning and implementation do not have the years of experience as persons of the NCC. Hopefully all this will be sorted out and all parties involved can come to a mutually respectful truce where the interest of Carnival is put before interest of politicians.
Both the Trinidad Express and Guardian have reports on this breaking news, the following is reported by the Guardian:
More resignations hit Carnival body
NCC in disarray
BY CORDIELLE STREET
The National Carnival Commission (NCC) is now officially without leadership, after the abrupt resignation of its deputy chairman yesterday, senior officials of the organisation said.
Deputy Chairman Ainsworth Mohammed became incensed after learning of a clandestine meeting held by the Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Joan Yuille-Williams and a trio of stakeholders in an attempt to plan Carnival 2007, without the input of the NCC.
Mohammed had harsh words for Yuille-Williams who he accused of “total disrespect” after a stormy board meeting at the NCC’s Queen’s Park Savannah (QPS) head office.
“I refuse to even reconsider participation in an environment where the Minister of Culture is leading a conspiracy against the chairman and majority of board members,” he said.
“The minister’s demonstration of disrespect for the NCC chairman and board is not new but has now reached an intolerable level.”
Yuille-Williams met on Thursday with Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) president Michael “Protector” Leggerton, Pan Trinbago president Patrick Arnold and the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) vice-chairman Felix Celestine.
Arnold made the revelation at NCC’s board meeting after accusing Celestine and Leggerton of “being less than forthright” about the meeting.
It was reported that representatives of Udecott also attended the meeting where a full plan for Carnival 2007 was mapped out and was scheduled to be announced next Wednesday at Queen’s Hall.
Udecott’s communication’s manager Danielle Jones when contacted did not confirm or deny the fact.
Sources have stated that differences between Yuille-Williams and NCC chairman Kenny De Silva led to him tendering his resignation in March.
The minister has yet to acknowledge De Silva’s resignation.
Celestine has reportedly been tipped to replace De Silva although he has dismissed the claim.
Leggerton is the public relations officer in Yuille-Williams’ ministry.
NCC’s six government-appointed commissioners were not made privy to the secret meeting although the body is legally appointed to make all decisions related to Carnival on a national level.
“While acting as chairman earlier this year, I had several meetings with her in an attempt to reconcile this situation, all of which were futile and she remains arrogant and intransigent,” Mohammed said.
“So since she is not moving and unlikely to be moved, I took the decision to remove myself from the structure.”
He accused Yuille-Williams of “government-sponsored mutiny” against De Silva and added that NCC’s recommendation for the 2007 Carnival included keeping the QPS as the main venue.
“She apparently doesn’t care what anyone—including the Prime Minister—thinks and wants to run the entire Carnival without reference to the people who are charged with that responsibility,” said Mohammed.
©2005-2006 Trinidad Publishing Company Limited
5 comments:
Heat in de place....doh back back!! lol!
every year is drama with ncc!!
I wonder if Yuille-Williams has ever put on a costume and played mas in her life ? She has absolutely zero experiance to be making decisions surrounding carnival. If Ainsworth Mohammed is the person who manages exodus then I know him from my days at Republic Bank when he managed the Foreign Exchange department. He is a seasoned manager and has organizational skills which far surpass the seemingly "duncy" individuals now planning Carnival on their own. I to think I decided to make my return to carnival in Trinidad after a 4 year absence to be coming into this mess. I hope IP has gallons of JW Black and coconut water as I will need every drop come carnival Monday and Tuesday to make up for not crossing the savannah stage.
LOL!!!!!!! If allyuh only know de REAL story behind THAT bacchanal but I kyah talk dat one at all at all at all. That one is REAL COMMESS and I finally get the whole story this weekend. All I can say as that... nah dread, I kyah even say that! Oh Lord!!!!!!!
Ay ay, share nah woman :D
But what I really want to know is if we getting a stage at all?
spill the beans!!!!!!!!!
Post a Comment