Judge stops NCC prize giving

A HIGH COURT Judge last night blocked the National Carnival Commission (NCC) from handing out prizes in the Parade of the Bands competition.

The NCC was planning to hand out prizes in calypso, steelband and mas at the Hilton Ballroom from seven o’clock last night, but with the ex-parte injunction, the Carnival body was forced to award prizes only in calypso and steelband. Band of the Year winners, Mike Antoine and Ian Mc Kenzie (of Legends), cut a sad picture at the Hilton after attorney Regan Asgarali and Andrew Clarke served two injunctions on NCC Chairman Kenny De Silva at 7.05 pm. Even King of Carnival Curtis Eustace was all decked off to receive his many prizes, but was left to look on at other presentations.

Twelve bandleaders sought an injunction from the High Court to block the prize giving on the ground that the judging of the 2003 Band of the Year competitions was flawed. Attorneys Gregory Delzin, Felix Celestine, and Anthony Vieira represented 11 of the bandleaders, all members of the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA) - Richard Afong (Barbarossa), Mervyn Henry (Sapphire), Wrenwick Brown (Rampage), Stephen Derek (D’Midas and Associates), Astel Alleyne (Tribal Connections), Simeon Walters (Stoley and Associates), Anthony Jackson and Associates, Rudolph Ryan and Associates, Anderson Patrick (Warrior of Harugan), and Ansel Price.

The other bandleader, Rosalind Gabriel, was represented by Om Lalla and Kelvin Ramkissoon. Justice Nolan Bereaux, presiding in the Port-of-Spain High Court, granted the injunction shortly around 6.20 pm. The judge ordered the NCC not to present the prizes for the George Bailey, Harold Saldenha and Lil Hart awards in the Parade of the Bands competition. Justice Bereaux also granted leave to the 12 applicants to file for judicial review. The hearing has been adjourned to March 27. After he and deputy chairman Ainsworth Mohammed were served with the injunction, NCC Chairman Kenny De Silva expressed disappointment at the outcome. De Silva said several persons had turned up at the Hilton to receive their prizes, but the NCC was going to abide with the court order and will stay the presentation of mas prizes.

Minister of Culture Penelope Beckles, who attended the ceremony, said the court system allows someone who is dissatisfied with something to apply for relief. “They (NCBA) are exercising that right and it is a set back, but at the end of the day, everyone was satisfied that the Carnival was very well run. We will get over those hurdles, I am not too worried about this. We will go ahead with TUCO and Pan Trinbago prize giving.” Beckles promised that the NCC will work towards avoiding conflict in the future. She said despite what was filed, the NCC has to work with all organisations to make Carnival bigger and brighter.