New Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Kishma A. Baronville has put to rest concerns about financial accountability as she heads into her first Festival since taking the reins from former Chairman Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden. Photo: VINO

Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn speaking at the press conference. Photo: VINO

CCT Global Communication's CEO Romney Averad Penn. Photo: VINO

A section of the gathering at the press conference. Photo: VINO

She was speaking at a press conference held at the CCT flagship store in Road Town today June 30, 2015.

“There are certain protocols that are expected in any business. We have taken our time. We do have certain arrangements and all of our sub-committees are aware of the arrangements with regards to how they request funds and how they record their requests and how they make submissions for payments.

However, she would not disclose the amount of money that has been made available for Festival this year.

CCT CEO defers questions on sponsorship

And CEO of CCT Global Communications, Romney Averad Penn shied away from disclosing any numbers of the company’s platinum sponsorship of the Festival this year, referring the question to the VI Festival and Fairs Committee.

He said that while the company is making a financial contribution it in no way represents the quantum of the company’s involvement in this year’s Festival in terms of its commitment and sweat equity which he said cannot be quantified in hard numbers.

“To try and quantify our contribution I would resist that but if you want any specifics you can approach the [Festival and Fairs Committee],” he said.

When pressed for an answer to the question, Ms Baronville said that each year a figure is negotiated with a potential platinum sponsor. “CCT has agreed to come in as our exclusive sponsor so our report at the end of the Festival will have all expenses and all payments etc.,” she said.

Minister Walwyn not yet received Festival 2014 report

Speaking at the press conference, Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn said that the amount placed in the budget every year is never enough to cover all aspects of the activities but this does not mean that those additional costs are not covered.

He said that because of the process of transition from one committee to another, he has not been yet able to receive the report for Festival 2014.

“The work is being done now by the Treasurer and the new committee members to make that report available,” he said.

Stipend to committee members for their hard work

During the launch of the Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta in August 2014, the Minister had said that he would have looked into the members of the committee being give some form of payment for the work they do. Today he clarified what he had said then, saying that he has in mind the payment of a stipend to cover incidentals like gas and printing material for the various activities covered under the Festival.

“You have members of the executive committee who use their car, gas and various other things. So when I say pay I don’t mean pay as in pay but in terms of a stipend,” he said.

He was not sure whether this arrangement will be made available for this year’s Festival and said that the committee members may not be overly concerned by this as they are more concerned with getting the Festival activities off the ground.

Some of the artistes slated to perform at the Festival Ground in Road Town are Busy Signal, Mr Chucky, Bunji Garlin and Faye-Ann Lyons, Five Star Akil, Erphan Alves and Lyrical. For East End it will be Morgan Heritage, Crazy, Fireman and for Carrot Bay Destra and Benjai. There will be other artistes but they cannot be named as contractual talks have not yet been concluded with them.

We will make available the full Festival 2015 calendar of events as well as all local and international artistes slated to be a part of it shortly.