Tuesday February 9th, 2010
- Last update:10 hours 18 min ago
PM on ‘abuse’ of sporting facilities:
Fete promoters making $$ on citizens’ heads
Published: 12 Nov 2009
Prime Minister Patrick Manning chats with a little
girl and her father, during his walkabout in Cocoyea,
San Fernando, yesterday. Photo: Tony Howell
Prime Minister Patrick Manning said yesterday that fete promoters will not use the Government to make money on citizens’ heads.
Manning said the promoters had no one to blame but themselves because they had been warned to leave the sporting facilities in proper condition, but they ignored the warning. The Prime Minister was responding to comments made by Caribbean Prestige Foundation’s chief executive officer Gregory Fernandez that the denial by the Government to use sporting facilities for major 2010 Carnival shows would cripple the industry. It was after his walkabout in Cocoyea—in his San Fernando East constituency late yesterday—that Manning shot back at Fernandez’s claims. During at a news conference on Tuesday, Fernandez said major pre-Carnival shows were in jeopardy because of the Government’s ban on the use of sporting facilities for cultural shows.
Manning said yesterday: “Last year, I gave instructions that they be allowed to use the Hasely Crawford Stadium and it is the last time I do that because of the condition they left it in. “We warned them if you don’t leave it in a proper condition you are not going to get it again and that is exactly what they did,” he added. Manning said the Government had spent a lot of money for the Caribbean Games which did not come off and it would be irresponsible of the Government “really, to hand it over to the promoters for them to make money out of it...We can’t do that.”
He said the people who staged big shows, including Soca Monarch, Alternative Concert, Ladies Night Out, Divas of Soca and the Alternative Comedy Festival were businessmen and promoters who made money out of these shows. Manning said: “Why don’t they build their own facilities. That is a private sector initiative. There is a tendency in this country that government must do everything so people could maximise their profits at the expense of citizens. That is something the Government cannot encourage,” Manning said.
Patos for once you are
Patos for once you are making sense and I am in agreement with you. These fetes are private enterprise and the promoters should pay to rent the stadiums if they want to use it. You should take it a step further and stop subsidizing carnival activities such as panorama, calypso competitions et cetera. These are all cash cows for band leaders and other entrepreneurs’ the government only obligation should be to advertise the carnival to attract tourist.
Well said Patrick, What
Well said Patrick, What should have been done last year was make them pay a substantial security deposit before allowing them the facility. That way if they left the place in any other state other than the way they found it they would lose their deposit. They make enough money at these events and Trini don't mind parting with their hard earned cash. So if they're really that bothered these promoters should get together and go build their own damn stadium or whatever. The gov't doesn't owe you a damn thing.
Well said Patrick! I am with
Well said Patrick!
I am with you 100% on this one!
Bollywood and Hollywood, we
Bollywood and Hollywood, we could be 'Triniwood' if the entertainment industry receives the right government support.
(Are elections in the air? It's a sure signs when so many babies are being kissed by politicians.)
That aside, the PM is absolutely correct on this one. People mash up these stadia with these fetes. And don't come and tell me they hold big fetes at Wembley etc and we can do the same here.
Having said that, however, government needs to give them support. Give them or sell them some land, Mr PM, and let them promote their fete. They are running a legitimate enterprise and boosting tourism in the process, not to mention creating employment and paying taxes and royalties. Fetes are a whole productive industry. Look at Hollywood and Bollywood, we can't compare with them, but entertainment is a huge industry in those places. The industry needs some government support in order to survive.
ajfyzabadbutlertown
DON'T STOP FUNDING PANORAMA.
DON'T STOP FUNDING PANORAMA. Patddictator, I disagree with you on this one. Panorama, King & Queen and Calypso are not profitable ventures. pantrinbago don't make any money for panorama.Similarly, calypso competition runs at a loss. The King & Queen displays are just that. So, don't become extreme. Yes, Mr. Manning is right (I can't believe I saying that) to stop the usage of government (people) property for profitable ventures. And, if they want to use it then they shoudl put up a bond to cover destruction, filth and rubbish which occurs most time after the fete. BUT PLEASE, DON'T STOP SUBSIDIZING OUR NATIONAL FESTIVAL, THE PANORAMA.
Manning you needs a haircut
Manning you needs a haircut or probably you are going DREAD.
Nah. He growing the back so
Nah. He growing the back so he could get some extra hair for next trip to Cuba to transplant it to the front and sides. They already do laser eye surgery so he could look young without those old man style glasses he used to wear. Now they'll fix him up with a good hair transplant for when he assumes the office of executive president. It's called re-branding and re-imaging.
This is the best thing you
This is the best thing you have said since you have been PM.Not a negative comment.It is the first time I ever agreed with you.
My goodness! I am actually
My goodness!
I am actually in agreement with the Prime Minister on this issue.
The big fete promoters operate as a mafia who book out all the bands early so if you throwing a carnival fete, you have to deal with them, at their price.
On top of which, they are fully sponsored/subsidized by the local business community.
Just look and listen to their ads.
And we the taxpayers are supposed to further assist in filling their pockets?
http://dsaltsman.blogspot.com/
Good move Mr Manning. You
Good move Mr Manning.
You should also put a ban on the Police Service's current ineffective recruitment and selection process which has resulted in an ineffective service manned by inefficient officers. Demand a more robust, effective and efficient process to see the service invest in high calibre individuals that we can all be proud to call police officers of Trinidad and Tobago.
Ah of course the PNM will
Ah of course the PNM will lead by example and stop using the Eddie Hart grounds in Tacarigua to stage in of their events,eh Patos?
The PNM will probably rename
The PNM will probably rename all their events "Sports Day", so as to justify using the Eddie Hart Grounds in Tacarigua.
DON'T WORRY
DON'T WORRY -
When votes are needed the appropriate changes will be made.
So true.
So true.
Are the fete promoters
Are the fete promoters leading by your example Mr.Manning...taking we money for theyself.
The use of the national
The use of the national stadiums in particular the Hasely Crawford Stadium, for cultural events, especially around carnival time continues, like canival, to be a "hot topic" year in year out.
In other countries, e.g. US and England, Stadiums are often packed to capacity in stands and on the grounds with screaming fans of popstars. So I am not sure why our Stadiums cannot be used for cultural events.
While it is true that these cultural events may cause damage to the venue, I would have thought that (1) these venues are rented for large sumns and not loaned for free (2) a large deposit should be paid which will cover the cost of any damage. Surely these stadiums are not given to the fete promoters for free.
That's said, if I had a rental property and a certain tenant was constantly causing damage, then yes I would not allow that tenant to rent the property anymore. So from that point I agree with Mr Manning.
Notwithstanding, Mr Manning has some "cheek", to state "There is a tendency in this country that government must do everything so people could maximise their profits at the expense of citizens. That is something the Government cannot encourage,...” It would appear it is the tendency for Government to squander the money on a $2M flag and have the temerity to say that there is no price to National Pride, when the Hospitals are in dire straits, Fire Services never have water to extinguish fires, police under equiped to deal with the high tech-criminals (the list goes on but I may be here all day and I do have to get back to my job). If not to add further insult to injury propose a ridiculous house tax that will only increase the financial hardships of Trinbagonians.
It appears that only the PNM memembers must get rich from its citizens. I always though that a government was there to represent it's citizens ensuring that all are provided for. But clearly I was wrong, a government represents itself and makes sure it takes from it's citizens to fatten their memembers.
So Fete Promoters all yuh wrong, is only the government suppose to make money. And mind you don't be fooled that the state of affairs would be different if the UNC were in power. And don't even ask 'bout COP!
MANNING IS RIGHT. I don't
MANNING IS RIGHT. I don't usually agree with Mr. Patrick Manning. This time he got it right. But, I want to remind Mr. Manning that it is because over the years PNM has taught bad habits to its supporters that they believe they are entitled to use government entities for their profitable ventures. It seems that there is a rift between PNM and its entertaining supporters. Mr. Manning, when will you complete the people's center at the savannah?
I noticed that Pantrinbago was notably absent from the list of invited guests at the opening of the Academy. I wonder why? Surely, a world body organization that represents the national instrument should have been in the forefront at the opening of the Academy. What causing that? Is there no respect for Pantrinbago or the national instrument? Maybe, I missed their picture. Someone tell me I am wrong. I saw Sugar Aloes and Defosto.
Now that the money running
Now that the money running out, Manning promoting Hart & Udecott to the private sector to build private fete houses and venues. just you wait and see.
Either that or Hart will set up a fete promoting company and rent out the two Academies for the Performing Arts or whatever they are called.
Patos you right boy, don't
Patos you right boy, don't lend them no stadium let them build they own. And not only that, but I like how you showing them by example: building you own private outdoor stage in the palace ground so that the Harts, the Hunts, and you and your family could watch Best Village and other PNM performances in the privacy of your own back yard. Now change some election laws too so that Panday won't stand a chance to own it. Because you know what Patos? He just hoping for a second chance to get all them things you getting to fix up heself too.
Not only are they making
Not only are they making money and giving nothing back but they are killing the local artistes with the importation of these Reggae artiste and the TRINIDAD REGGAE (how they seperate them is news to me)do not get a look in.
A sport stadium is what it is let them go to Pier one or buy a piece of land and build a facility. They will make money from that by renting it out to other promoters. If they start right now with the effecient local contractors it will be ready for carnival, a large shed with bar toilets and a change room for the singers. Feters do not need seats.
The stadium is for sport.
Go Patos for once you have kept you foot in your shoe.
I too must agree with the
I too must agree with the bloggers on this issue. I believe Mr. Manning has finally got it right on the issue of promoters (and the attendees at these fetes) abusing the facilities and leaving them in terrible shape. That is where good management comes in. Whoever is responsible for renting out these facilities to promoters should be smart enough to draft up proper contracts that include security and "clean up" deposits that are subject to forfeiture if the venues are left in conditions other than the state they were gotten in the first place. These deposits should be hefty enough to cause the promoters to want to hire people to clean up their mess or risk lose their money.
On the other issue of Trinibagoians wanting everything for free from the government, I believe that Mr. Manning is trying to put the horse back in the stable, long after it has bolted. His and previous governments have made "handouts" and "freebies" a normal thing, especially around election time to "buy" peoples' votes, that it is now a normal part of Trini thinking. "What is in it for me?" So now he is trying to put the "genie back in the bottle", it just might be too late. Anyway, I totally agree with him on this one and hope he can change the peoples' mindset. Good Luck, Patos!