Panorama 2020 starts Monday

PAN TRINBAGO president Beverly Ramsey-Moore says steelbands can expect payment on Monday for their involvement in this year’s Panorama competition. Preliminary judging for next year’s competition is also scheduled to start on Monday.

Addressing leaders of 70 bands at the organisation’s annual general meeting at the VIP Lounge, Queen's Park Savannah on Sunday, Ramsey-Moore said the distribution of cheques started on November 1 for the single pan bands.

"This will allow the bands to have start-up money to get ready for competition which will begin today.

"We are not sure how much we will be able to pay, but there will be a reimbursement of funds. All the single pan bands will be paid part of the commitment so that they can begin having some of their expenses covered."

Ramsey-Moore said the organisation was also able to give the junior panorama winners their prize money.

She said Pan Trinbago provided more than $200,000 in support to bands and also gave regional support as the National Carnival Commission had taken over responsibility for Panorama.

Ramsey-Moore said Pan Trinbago is expected to see growth and development in 2020.

She said the extent of the financial problems in which Pan Trinbago had found itself, were unimaginable and very serious.

"The large amounts of money owed to member bands – from prize money to appearance fees, to service providers, to lawyers, to staff and to meet court ordered payments, came up to a staggering amount of more than $60 million.

"This amount of debt could never have been envisaged. The reality is, that we are in the midst of a major financial crisis, resulting in a major cash crunch."

Ramsey-Moore said the lack of finances prevented the organisation from meeting all its obligations and the situation, even though improved, still remains less than satisfactory.

She told members that while the problems are large and challenging, the executive is committed to the task of taking pan to its pinnacle.

"We have begun to address the debt crisis, and steps are already underway towards finding ways to turn around the massive $60 million burden which we have inherited.

"This is not an easy task, and sacrifices have to be made if we want to keep the ship MV Pan Trinbago afloat. We urge that each of us hold on for a while longer."