So really, who is in charge of Carnival?

THE EDITOR: So often we hear there are “stakeholders” who have an interest, a part to play, or who are a cog in the wheel or a brick in the wall.

Who is sitting in the captain’s chair, the keeper holding the key to the gates? Who is Captain Kirk of the greatest show on earth? Who is in charge of Carnival?

This answer may seem obvious, as easy as a multiple choice question in an SEA exam:

A. The Water and Sewerage Authority

B. The National Carnival Commission

C. The Ministry of Tourism

D. The Tobago House of Assembly

E. The Port of Spain City Corporation

Really, to B or not to be?

I have a small task each year to assist in the registration of a music truck for a children’s Carnival band: The Ministry of Works and Transport (Licensing Division), the City Corporation (Public Health), the Police Service (Traffic Branch), the Copyright Association, and insurance companies provide the permits and oversight to enable this.

Who should these stakeholders turn to set up a one-stop shop? Are we our best at being inefficient and unproductive, looking forward to the same licks every season?

The NCC has little muscle, jurisdiction, oversight or interest to play its hand in Carnival except selling tickets for events.

On February 4, the acting transport commissioner insisted that the truck had to be present with the music at the Licensing Office for the temporary permit to carry passengers (the DJ and the DJ assistant).

In fairness, this is not really a bad idea, it’s just a lack of judgment to put it mildly. Were we non-compliant in the past decade and the transport commissioner has a no-nonsense tolerance this year?

Chaos is the only fate for the music truck posse at Licensing. These are working vehicles, with significant sums invested in loading equipment. Where are these resources manage this?

Previously the permit was granted upon presentation of valid documentation and fee payments.

I suggest relevant public information combined with enforcement at Carnival is the correct method to deal with and manage offenders in the appropriate manner. There will be issues on the road while the picture will be different at Licensing.

It is no different to require maxi drivers to present their vehicle with passengers, or waste trucks to comply ditto.

So getting back to who is really running the show. I thought of circling B above and seeking redress. I was told it was not the “remit” or business of the NCC.

One protest or boycott and we can all stop celebrating in our office and posing for photo ops.

So who is in charge of Carnival?

ROBERT SAUNDERS, Westmoorings