Tobago Correspondent
With just three weeks to go before the fifth annual Tobago Carnival, Pan Trinbago has announced it will boycott the festival over outstanding payments totalling $1.7 million.
Pan Trinbago president Beverley Ramsey-Moore said the decision was taken at a Tobago regional meeting on October 1 and has the full backing of steelbands in Trinidad.
Speaking with Guardian Media yesterday, Ramsey-Moore said the organisation is still owed money for last year’s Pan Omega and Pan and Powder events. However, while bands have already begun preparations for Pan Omega 2026, scheduled for October 24, she said they are unwilling to perform while outstanding payments remain unsettled.
“Up to now, we have not finalised the balance of payments to the bands that they have already worked for, and they have not even begun to discuss the budget for Tobago Panorama (Pan Omega) 2026,” she said.
Ramsey-Moore described the situation as detrimental to the steelband movement, noting that bands only received cheques for this year’s national Panorama on Sunday during Pan Trinbago’s annual general meeting.
“Bands are asking, ‘Why so long?’ We need to sit down with both the Government and the THA, along with the special-interest groups, to ensure there is no recurrence of this. It is unfortunate because when you think of the entire steelband movement and ecosystem, the tuners, arrangers and other stakeholders have all been waiting,” she said.
Addressing support from Trinidad-based bands, Ramsey-Moore said solidarity was never in question.
“The Trinidad bands are all members of Pan Trinbago, and if your brother’s or sister’s house is on fire, you have to wet yours. I don’t see Trinidad bands coming across to participate. They will never do such a thing,” she said.
Contacted on the issue, Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Zorisha Hackett said efforts are continuing to clear outstanding debts inherited by the Tobago Festivals Commission. She said when she assumed office in January, the commission’s liabilities stood at approximately $29 million.
“Through prioritising and making tough decisions, we were able to get it to just under $10 million, and the work continues to take it down to zero,” she said.
Hackett said reducing the debt has been her primary focus over the past nine months because of the impact delayed payments have on individuals, businesses and the wider Tobago economy.
“Because I understand the impact these outstanding payments have on those who have already done the work and are depending on what is owed to them, as well as the wider economic ripple effect that delayed payments can have across Tobago,” she said.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Tobago Festivals Commission acknowledged its debt to Pan Trinbago and said discussions have been held with the pan fraternity, the Tobago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO), bandleaders and service providers.
The commission said its records show a total disbursement of $1.54 million to Pan Trinbago, including $1.08 million relating to Pan Omega 2025, as well as payments for other performances and activities. It also highlighted opportunities provided to pan musicians through events such as the Blue Food Festival, Tobago Heritage Festival and international engagements.
While recognising the need to settle outstanding balances, the commission said payments remain dependent on the release of funds and indicated that another phase of payments is scheduled for October 9.
Despite the standoff, Ramsey-Moore said she remains open to discussions with the THA.
“I don’t think there will be Panorama, but at least there can be some pan in the carnival if they are willing to have some discussion,” she said.
