Pan Trinbago, the steelpan body of Trinidad and Tobago, has given the TT government an ultimatum – provide TT $22.8 million budget allocation for next year’s Panorama competition or no Panorama.
This figure will represent an increase of $8,840,000 over the 2004 budget submission of $14 million, which Pan Trinbago did not receive.
This decision came during a meeting held at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Monday (September 27) night, when Pan Trinbago secretary, Richard Forteau gave a run-down of the proposed expenditure list for next year’s Panorama competition. According to the report, manufacturing costs have gone up and ultimately purchasing costs, with the average cost of producing a Steelband standing at around $200,000.
The Government was criticised for what the Organisation termed “the perennial disrespect” shown to pan men who were not awarded cash prizes which represented their true value.
According to the outline, participating steel band are expected to receive a 700 percent increase in prizes in 2004, with the prize for the winning large band going up to $800,000 from the 2004 figure of $200,000, while the winning medium band and small band will take home $600,000 and $400,000 respectively.
Government was given until October 18 to give an affirmative response to the Pan Trinbago request.
If the boycott comes of as the organisation is threatening, it will be the second in history, the first taking place in 1979, when Government, ironically, refused to adhere to Pan Trinbago’s request for more prize money.
