Urine repelling washable paint considered for 2019 J’Ouvert

UPDATE:

Alderman Wendell Stephen, chairman of the Port of Spain Downtown Carnival committee Wednesday announced they are having discussions to have bandleaders use washable paint for 2019 J’Ouvert.

Speaking to the media after the Port of Spain statutory meeting held at City Hall, Stephen said the suggestion was made by Christian Smith who made a presentation to the committee with two products.
Stephen said while the committee can endorse the paint, they cannot instruct bandleaders to use the paint but it will be recommended.

He said Smith has been encouraged to get in contact with J’Ouvert bands through their associations or through the committee’s registration process to market the paint and a water repel solution.

“The splashing of paint during J’Ouvert has been a problem for the Woodbrook residents. We had a few claims that we could not honour but we tried our best to clean up some of the paints on residents’ property for this year.

“Also, we have seen a video where a certain type of solution which can be used on any surface as a base coat to repel water. So in fact it will repel urine which has also been a big issue as well from the Woodbrook and environs residents. They have been complaining about the smell of urine when people urinate on their walls. It is something we are now looking into. It is the first time we have seen anything like that so we want to get some more details on it and as to how we can move forward on it.”

Stephen added that after having discussions, J’Ouvert bands will no longer pass through the streets of Woodbrook, St James, Newtown and environs. He assured the residents of Woodbrook and environs they would not be disturbed with the loud music from music trucks.

“We want to propose a route through the city which will take it away from those side streets where people live. There was never a managed route. At several meetings with senior officers and with National Carnival Commission (NCC), I will always tell them we need to establish a route for J’Ouvert.

“We will be working with the NCC and with the J’Ouvert bands to have further discussions. Some of them are not in favour of the decision but we need to convince them that the route will be changed.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

Alderman Wendell Stephen, chairman of the Port of Spain Downtown Carnival committee, Wednesday announced they are having discussions to have bandleaders use washable paint for 2019 J’Ouvert.

Speaking to the media after the Port of Spain statutory meeting held at City Hall, Stephen said the suggestion was made by Christian Smith who made a presentation to the committee with two products.

Stephen said while the committee can endorse the paint, they cannot instruct bandleaders to use the paint but it will be recommended.

He said Smith has been encouraged to get in contact with J’Ouvert bands through their associations or through the committee’s registration process to market the paint and a water repel solution.

“The splashing of paint during J’Ouvert has been a problem for the Woodbrook residents. We had a few claims that we could not honour but we tried our best to clean up some of the paints on residents' property for this year."