Will NCC get involved in Tobago mas?

THE EDITOR: Word is that the National Carnival Commission (NCC) wants to get more involved in the carnival celebrations in Tobago under the auspices of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA).

Word is also out that the recently held second version of the carnival was a resounding success. According to reports, it was well organised, it ran smoothly, and there were no hiccups. It is also understood that it was well subscribed.

Now let us juxtapose (to borrow LJ's favourite word from Diego Martin) that for once we see something that is well run in this fair country (for a change) and the old guard that runs the TT Carnival wants to inject their influence into the Tobago mas.

One wonders if the THA wants to have the same problems that the NCC-run Carnival has been faced with every year for decades and doesn't seem to be able to solve any time soon?

Every year there are issues with the steelbands and players, with calypso tents, with prize monies being paid too late or not at all, with the routes mas bands should take, with residents of Ariapita Avenue complaining about noise, graffiti and garbage left on their doorsteps, and, last but not least, with the erection of spectators' stands. The latest fiasco to enter the arena was the pilfering of steel which was supposed to be used for the stands.

Now it seems that the same management running the TT Carnival wants to get involved in Tobago. Will that carnival continue to be well run and be satisfying to stakeholders, or will it be mired in the same "mud" as the TT mas?

I guess only time will tell, but the most important factor here is what decision the THA makes about any NCC involvement. The ball is in Farley Augustine and his team's court.

WKS HOSEIN

Chaguanas