$2M prize for carnival competitions will continue

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar has assured artists that once the Trinidad and Tobago economy continues to turn around and financial circumstances permit, Government will look at continuing the prize money of $2million dollars for winners of carnival competitions next year and in years to come.

She was speaking at Tuesday's launch of the 2011 B-mobile International Soca contest and the Play Whe Groovy Monarch competition.

"That is my assurance to you...to show you that Government has and will always have the best intentions for the cultural sphere and the artistes who play such an integral role in this sector, especially at this time," she said.

Persad-Bissessar said it is only natural that Carnival must command the Government’s unconditional support.

"That is why the People’s Partnership made a promise, I personally made that promise, before we entered Government that when we were elected into office, we would ensure that the key competitions for Carnival 2011 will come with a prize money of $2 million.

"As you know, we have kept that promise and this year, every winner of all the main Carnival competitions, from the International Soca Monarch to the Chutney Soca Monarch, the Panorama Competition, the Calypso Monarch; the first prize winners will receive a $2 million dollar prize this year.

"That is what our musicians and our artistes all deserve for their hard work and tremendous contribution you make to the development of Trinidad and Tobago, our nation, our homeland."

She also spoke about a visit to her office earlier Tuesday by soca icon Machel Montano to present her with a copy of his CD. She repeated the lyrics of the song, Advantage:

“Leh we thank the government

They take we off the pavement

And it was well worth every cent

I say they’re intelligent

Cause we so amaze we get back the stage

So give we a wave

We taking advantage yeah

On the stage real gal on the stage for two days

We head for the stage to turn a new page.”

She said, "Machel told the staff at the Office of the Prime Minister that this song was inspired by my Government’s consideration for the people of this country and their wishes, and how much he appreciated, on behalf of the mas players, the fact that we would give them something that may seem small but which means a lot to them.