Chairman of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) Kenny Da Silva says it is time the commission raises its own funds and not depend on the public purse to stage the greatest show on earth.
When Carnival 2016 comes to a close on February 9, Da Silva will call for a financial and staff audit into NCC.
These were two of the issues Da Silva said the NCC was looking at, as it tries to become less reliant on government’s funding from here on.
“I am not going cap in hand to the Government. The NCC has to generate revenue to put less strain on the Government.”
Another option, he said, for the NCC to make money was selling carnival broadcasting rights and hosting shows outside of the carnival season.
“We are hopeful that one day we would be able to export Carnival to the world. That is something the NCC has to look at. I think if we package a show like the Dimanche Gras and sell it to the world we could get a good price for that. We have to start doing this next year.”
Da Silva said he has no intention of exceeding the NCC’s $270 million budget.
In keeping with government’s reducing expenditure, NCC’s funds were slashed by $44 million.
“Whatever we have to cut we will do that. We are not going into areas of expenditure under my watch that we don’t have money for. We are keeping everything within budget, but will minimise.”
However, areas such as retaining private security and janitorial services would have to be maintained.
He estimated that NCC’s security tab would cross over $1 million.
Da Silva said the largest chunk of the $270 million will go towards prizes for carnival bands, the Calypso Monarch competition and Panorama.
Of the three groups, Da Silva said, Pantrinbago would receive the largest slice with over $30 million.
He gave the assurance the $1 million prize for the Calypso Monarch winner would remain the same, while the steel band that was adjudged the Panorama champ would walk away with $2 million.
The theme for this year’s Carnival is One People, One Carnival, One Stage.
He said the same way countries sell the Olympics and World Cup, T&T could sell its Carnival.
“Next year we can try and bring back mas extraordinaire Peter Minshall and ask him to produce the Dimanche Gras show. Minshall produced two Olympic openings and we have to respect that. I would love to invite Mr Minshall as well as Brian Mc Farlane to put together a powerful package with the content that will make it attractive to the world market. That is where you make our money.”
Da Silva said NCC could not stand on its own with gate sales alone.
He said while embracing the idea of selling Carnival to the world “the NCC has no input into the components of Carnival. We are just a facilitator. NCC would say we would like this and the groups (Bandleaders Association, TUCO and Pantrinbago) would say no they want that. That cannot continue. We have to use moral suasion to get everyone on board. We have to generate more money. The only way we can do that is through television rights. We have to look at ways and means of earning more money. That is a given. If that cannot happen there is no point in having me there.”
Da Silva said at the end of Carnival he would call for an audit into NCC.
“Immediately after Carnival we will look at our financial and staff audits to see what are our needs. I think an audit has to be done, but I am not into any witch hunting.”
A few years ago, Da Silva said, NCC was able to raise $18 million from corporate T&T and he felt this could be done again.
He said several businesses advertised their products for Carnival on electrical lines and utility poles, using banners and bunting without getting permission to do so.
“This is wrong. There is a level of ambush marketing. If we get those businesses on board to pay something to advertise this is another way we can get money.”
With the downturn in the economy, Da Silva said Carnival 2017 might be even more challenging than 2016.
Da Silva also disclosed that businesses that supplied toilet facilities, lighting and sound systems to the NCC leading up to and for Carnival have opted to cut their prices between ten and 25 per cent.
“We got discounts from these suppliers ranging from ten to 25 per cent for Carnival. This is significant. They have been very understanding with the NCC. When things were good they enjoyed it. Now that the country is in a recession they have to be understanding with the situation we are facing. Every one of the suppliers we asked to cut their prices obliged to the request.”
Da Silva does not think the H1N1 virus will disrupt Carnival nor prevent an estimated 50,000 visitors and tourists coming to our shores.
The NCC has also established an area called the market strip, spanning from Memorial Park to the Paddock at the Queen’s Park Savannah, where 35 large trees will be lit from January 15 to February 9 to attract tourists and locals.
“We want to give it that Ariapita Avenue look where families could walk, purchase local cuisine and relax along the route.”
The market strip will accommodate 117 vendors.
“This will help discourage illegal vending to some extent.”