Culture Minister says: ‘Bandleaders will be responsible’

Community Development, Culture and Arts Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly made this statement in response to a question from Caroni East MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh in the House of Representatives on Thursday. She said during a meeting between the National Carnival Commission (NCC), band leaders and homeowners last month, there was agreement that masqueraders have defaced the properties of homeowners during Carnival Monday and sometimes on Carnival Tuesday, in the past.

Gadsby-Dolly said photos of these acts were shown at that meeting and these constitute offences under the Litter Act which attract fines of $4,000.

She said there was consensus that, “if band leaders presented with pictoral or other clear evidence of defacement by their band members they will take steps to assist the affected homeowners.” Responding to additional questions from Gopeesingh, Gadsby- Dolly said the NCC at this point is acting as the broker between the band leaders and the home owners. She was optimistic that this “gentleman’s agreement” would hold.