Soca Monarch judges still waiting on money

Sources told Newsday that the 12 judges and two tabulators who were used during the preliminary, semi final and final stages of last year’s competition, have not been compensated up to yesterday. The concerns of the judges reached a climax when they were informed of the launch of the 2017 edition of the competition through the media like the rest of the nation.

According to the source, the other judges are feeling very disrespected about the entire situation. For the last two months, rumours circulated that the competition was not going to be hosted because of insufficient funding. That rumour came to a halt when one media house reported that registration for the competition would commence today.

None payment, lack of courtesy and professionalism, are the concerns of the judges and tabulators.

The source stated that since the competition ended on Fantastic Friday 2016, calls, emails and other forms of communication to CPF Chairman Peter Scoon, by the judges have been unanswered. Other attempts by the uncompensated group to contact other members of the CPF team have also gone unanswered except for one occasion. In July 2016, someone answered the office telephone of CPF and stated that money would be paid to the judges when sponsors fulfil their commitments. Since then, no other conversation took place between the stakeholders. The judges are surprised that CPF is getting into new business arrangements and have not completed old business.