I am one of those who criticised Dr Keith Rowley fiercely before he was the prime minister. But thus far, I cannot say that I am disappointed, since as the prime Minister, I think he has demonstrated that he is a man of his word when it comes to prudence, forthrightness and probity.
As such, I am pleased with the fiscal prudence announced by the Government. In this regard, I welcome the decision to reduce the allocation to Carnival 2016, by $45 million as a tangible sign that Dr Rowley has the political will to set this country right.
I acknowledge the money reduces among other things, the prize structure of the Chutney and Soca Monarch competitions. I think that it is about time that someone set these artistes right.
Prize money as high as $2 million dollars paid for by taxpayers are disagreeable and are an indication that former prime ministers got carried away with popularity. I also note that contractors will be asked to lower their prices. This a bad habit that the last PP administration gave people: to demand whatever price and they will get it.
I single out here, both Mr Basdeo Panday and Mrs Kamla Persad-Bissessar who were never liked by the Carnival fraternity and who tried their best to ingratiate themselves by just heaping money on their (fr)enemies, until people become sickenly satiated.
Despite all out their political outlay, neither of them can set foot in a Dimanche Gras show; they are both booed savagely at any forum other than a chutney show and there is not a modicum of gratitude for anything that they have done.
It is a lesson for calypsonians (yuk), ex-tempo artistes (steups), chutney performers (blech!), and soca artistes (God help us).
I hope that going forward, Government does not revert to the $2 million dollars, presumably on the grounds that things may get better. Nothing in any of these competitions is worth $2 million dollars. As such, it now falls on the private sector to make Carnival pay its own way.
Its high time, someone set this country right.
Lystra Marajh
Glencoe