Carnival Board Confirmed
A 15-member Tobago Carnival Committee has been confirmed.
The team will be headed by chairman Meisha Trim, and includes Mr Christoph Roberts, Ms Anya Elias and Mr David Maharaj. There will also be representatives from the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited, Tobago Festivals Commission Limited and the local Carnival fraternity.
The Committee, which will operate for six months, was announced by Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation, Councillor Tashia Burris, on Monday (May 16th).
Chief Secretary-Tobago Hon. Farley Augustine also outlined his vision for the committee during an interview on Monday’s (May 16th) Tobago Updates morning show. He said various Carnival stakeholders are on board to help make the inaugural October Carnival a success.
“We’ve asked to sit at the table with those core [Committee] members, a representative for mas, pan, and calypso, and we’ve also asked the chair of the Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) board to sit there, so that the conversation is well-rounded. And that we will always have… the three major elements of Carnival present in the conversations and the planning.
“And two, we have our main tourism agency being there to ensure that that is in sight, because October really represents the start of that peak season in terms of tourism, and we don’t want to lose sight of that potential.”
Mr. Augustine said board members must possess the required level of expertise.
“Boards are to be filled by people who can carry out the agenda of the Executive. Boards are an extension of the Executive Council. So naturally, those who will go [onto] boards have to be those who are willing to align themselves with the mandate of the Executive,” the Chief Secretary said.
The Chief Secretary also believes members chosen for committees must remain professional in fulfilling their purpose.
