Govt embarks on plan to protect pan

GOVERNMENT will have a comprehensive plan legalising the steelpan within eight months, Legal Affairs Minister Danny Montano announced Friday when he spoke at a reception for the Cabinet-appointed committee for establishment of a legal structure to protect the steelpan. “It’s a daunting task that requires hard work, but I want quick results,” Montano told the gathering at the Crowne Plaza.

“This is not an easy task. It is a bold objective which is by no means automatic. In the short term, the committee will focus internally but the mandate of the committee goes beyond the short term, as Government moves to protect pan in the region and beyond.” Lester Efebo Wilkinson, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Legal Affairs, is chairman of the committee. Other members are Richard Aching; Pan Trinbago Secretary Richard Forteau; Pat Bishop of the Carnival Institute; Stanley Plowden, Director of Planning Implementation at the Ministry of Community Development; Vel Lewis, curator at the National Museum; Brian Copeland of the University of the West Indies; Mungal Patasar, former Director of Culture; and attorneys Tene Reece, Anthony Vieira, Faris Al-Rawi and Paul Griffith.

Montano said: “The steelpan represents who and what we are. There is no gender or ethnic challenge associated with this project. The steelpan was forged in a climate of violence. The magical sounds of steel define our citizens. We are proud of it. We must let the world know of that pride.” The function was attended by Community Development Minister Joan Yuille-Williams; Eudine Job-Davis, Minister of State in the Ministry of Community Development and Culture; Pan Trinbago President Patrick Arnold; NP chairman and veteran pannist Lawford Duprey; top pan arranger Len “Boogsie” Sharpe; composer Ray Holman and other members of the pan and music fraternities.