PAMBERI GETS ITS PANS

The management of Pamberi Steel Orchestra yesterday publicly thanked Pan Trinbago  for coming to their assistance in their time of need by granting them a loan to the tune of $110,000.

This figure covered the outstanding balance and legal fees the band owed its former arranger Godwin Bowen who levied on the band, taking most of its instruments. Speaking to the media at the band headquarters in San Juan , committee member Nestor Sullivan said, “Our reason for the  press conference is to let our fans, supporters and well wishers know that we are in possession of all our instruments and the band is operating.”

According to Sullivan, “People from all over the world were enquiring about our welfare. From as far off as India, USA and France people were concern.” We also want to thank the national body for giving us a grace period before we start repayment of the loan, this starts in 2004.” The outspoken Sullivan also said that the band missed out on an opportunity to show everyone that they are back on a sound footing by not being in the Pan In The 21st Century competition. The reason, they were late with their registration. This he blames entirely on the executive of the Eastern Region of Pan Trinbago, as he said no one in the region told them anything about the competition.

“Imagine when I asked the chairman of the region, Vernon Morancie about the competition, he told me to check information on the radio and newspaper,” cried Sullivan. “That is incompetence to the highest,” he added. Sullivan also outlined some of the projects Pamberi has on the drawing board. First there is “Caribbean Integration” in which Pamberi and Scherzando will host Pan Wizard Steel Orchestra from Grenada. Then comes a youth programme where the band will work with San Juan schools to develop a youth arm of Pamberi. More ambitious projects entail the development of the panyard facilities and an international tour of Japan and Canada.