Pannists get $12m

Cheques totalling over $12 million were yesterday distributed to more than 20 small, medium and conventional steelbands for their success in the finals of this year’s Panorama competition.

And while the money was long in coming, Pan Trinbago president Beverly Ramsey-Moore could not say when the players will receive their remittances.

“I know when you leave here your players will ask what about the players remittance,” she said in remarks during the distribution ceremony at the VIP Lounge, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain.

Ramsey-Moore, leader of the Tobago band, Katzenjammers, urged the players to keep the faith.

“Well, as we all struggle to make the necessary sacrifice to ensure that our organisation survives. And as we try to change the culture of our organisation to ensure that it is one of prosperity, to ensure that we are able to sustain ourselves, to ensure that we are able to raise the necessary revenue to look after the well-being of our members bands, we all have to make the necessary sacrifice.”

She added: “And whilst we could have waved the magic wand that was found somewhere to make sure you receive your prizes, we have not been able to come up with that sister to a wand to ensure the players remittance and I cannot, at this time, make any promise on players’ remittance for 2018 or 2019.”

Ramsey-Moore asked that they shift focus from the remittance.

“Yes, we know that money is important. What’s in it for me and what’s in it for you. We have a product. Let’s develop it. Let’s sell it. And when we can do that, then and only then we will be able to take care of ourselves.

Ramsey-Moore said members of the pan-playing fraternity must ensure that Pan Trinbago and the industry, generally, becomes a self-sufficient entity.

“Going forward, we have to ensure that our bands are so developed that you can raise your revenue to take care of those persons who come in and to participate in your performances.”

She said Pan Trinbago cannot do it alone.

“We have to set the platform right, Pan Trinbago cannot do it again. The government of Trinidad and Tobago cannot do it again.

“And so, we have to set the platform right, where we can stand on our own two feet, where we can empower and inspire our members to do things, to come up with programmes so that we can develop and strengthen our social institutions in our communities.”

Ramsey-Moore said the new executive, which assumed office in October, only recently re-opened the steel drum factory.

“It is a money-earner and it is only yesterday (Friday) that we made a deposit of $30,000 and that was only for one organisation coming to purchase drums...We will ensure that that drum-making factory that we have will bring in millions, upon millions, upon millions so that our players won’t have to look for a $500. It will be more than that. But now, we want them to make the necessary sacrifice with us.

Ramsey-Moore said pan was the community’s soul and it must be taken back to where it came from.

Among those receiving cheques, yesterday, were champion large conventional band BP Renegades, CAL Skiffle, Desperadoes, Pan Elders, Katzenjammers, Courts Sound Specialists, Golden Hands and La Horquetta Pan Groove.

Ramsey-Moore thanked Culture Minister Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly for ensuring the bands received their money.

“If ever there was a minister who was interested in community development, in the development of Pan Trinbago, in the development of the steelpan community is Dr Nyan Gadsby Dolly,” she said.

She also thanked members of the National Carnival Commission for their support.