Minister: Pan players money paid

Questioned by Newsday, on the matter, Gadsby-Dolly said, “Five million dollars were released to Pan Trinbago by the National Carnival Commission (NCC) in October for this purpose. This represented the last tranche of 2016 subventions to Pan Trinbago.

Government has therefore supplied the entire 2016 subvention to Pan Trinbago and expects they would remit what is outstanding to the members of their organisation.” On Wednesday, Pan Trinbago President Keith Diaz told Newsday that Pan Trinbago received $5 million on October 28, “which was a shortfall of $2.7 million and which was spent on the steelband from Tobago for hotel, meals and transportation.” He added, “I did not want to start paying panmen and end up in a situation where all would not have received their remittance but this exercise will begin shortly.” In Wednesday’s meeting, it was reported Diaz said that Minister Gadsby-Dolly was unwilling to meet with Pan Trinbago to discuss the allocation of money.

Asked about it, Minister Gadsby- Dolly said, “I continue to be accessible to all persons as much as possible. In some instances, when I am not, the Permanent Secretary and/or Deputy Permanent Secretary stand in and meet with groups and/or individuals.” Attempts to contact NCC chairman Kenny de Silva and Pan Trinbago president Diaz yesterday for fresh comment were unsuccessful.

Minister Gadsby-Dolly said that $168 million was allocated for Carnival 2017 and given to the NCC.