$2m approved for Tobago 2021 Carnival 'event'

Tobago Festivals Commission CEO John Arnold says the Tobago House of Assembly has approved some $2 million in funding for a Carnival event later this year.

"The note has been approved and so we are now going to move forward," he told Newsday on Tuesday. "We can't say much more than that. We have to wait until the money comes to us."

Arnold said Secretary of Finance Joel Jack has to ensure the money is released to the Division of Tourism, Culture and Transportation.

"That is the process."

He could not say when this would be done. Arnold said the $2 million will be shared among five stakeholders.

"The money is being shared for a programme by Pan Trinbago. It is being shared for TUCO and their calypso presentation and the Mas Leaders' Association.

"We are also doing something with the new Tobago Soca Monarch. So all of these entities are involved in this virtual presentation package we are putting together."

Arnold said the presentations will be filmed and shown at a later date.

"Once we film it and we do it, we know that we can do it at any point because Carnival is relevant any time."

He said the stakeholders will say when they are ready with their presentations.