PHASE II NOT MOVING

PANORAMA CHAMPIONS Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove will not be moving from their Woodbrook home on Damian Street, as Port-of-Spain Mayor Murchison Brown has failed to convince the panmen to relocate to their newly built pan theatre in Mucurapo. The band was supposed to move since last year, which was then delayed to Ash Wednesday of this year, and now having won the 2005 Panorama, it would seem the eviction has been stopped indefinitely.

Brown said he received a letter from the band’s Attorney Anthony Smart, which stated that the band would not be moving. Brown said no more meetings would be held with the band, as neither the band members nor their attorney would come to an agreement. “As far as I am aware, a new pan tent was constructed for them which they were supposed to occupy by the end of the Carnival Season. Home Construction Limited (HCL) will be continuing operations with the construction of their townhouses. I have no idea what would take place, but the ball is now in Phase II’s court,” said Brown.

Bandleader Mike Phillips told Newsday that certain issues were raised at the mayor’s office, which included the improper infrastructure of the pan tent and the garbage trucks located right next to the band. “They do not seem to want to really address the situation. So until the mayor comes up with something favourable, and up to our standards, the band will stay where it is at present,” said Phillips. Phillips said he was not troubled by HCL, who are preparing to build townhouses right through the path of the band’s home. “We know they have their job to do, but we are here to stay,” said Phillips.

Group Corporate Communications Manager of HCL, Lisa Ghany-Weekes said the Panorama champions decision to stay will not have any impact on the building of the townhouses, also known as Woodbrook One, but would cause more inconvenience on the band itself. “The site on which Woodbrook One is being built ends right before the pan tent. The acquisition of their parcel of land was meant to build in the near future, “Maraval Parkway Road,” which will improve the aesthetics of the area. The panmen are the ones who will be inconvenienced, as for the next three years they will be in the middle of intense construction. I believe they should take the opportunity and seize the new pan theatre which has been built for them,” said Weekes.