National Festivals Minister Daryll Matthew believes there may be some other reason for the boycott of panorama by the Pan Association other monies outstanding.
Matthew said that he first heard of the boycott in the news and via a WhatsApp message.
As of 6 July, 2018, the Association was owed a remaining $130,000 of the $320,000 due to it by the Commission at the start of the year.
In a press release issued by the Pan Association, they indicated that, “Initial dialogue with the national Festivals Commission centered around both the outstanding payment of monies owed to the ABPA for carnival 2017 and some conditions of the carnival stage which were not particularly conducive to high-quality sound.”
The letter goes on to say that, “While the concerns that were raised about the stage are being presently addressed and alternative arrangements being considered, the lack of payment of outstanding monies has now become a major issue.”
The Minister indicated, however, that the balance owed to the association was paid in full by the end of business today.
“I am told by my chairman that the payment was, in fact, made earlier this afternoon and so I am really surprised that the issue for the purported pull-out and boycott of panorama this year is because of non-payment.”
The payment was made in two different installments consisting of $50,000 made early in the morning with the remaining $80,000 paid in the afternoon which settled the amount outstanding.
The final cheque was received by Pan Association president Patrick “Stone” Johnson.
Despite receiving all monies owed yesterday, the association still stated that, “As a result of this non-payment of monies for 2017 owed to 8 panorama band, 5 of which still remain un-sponsored, regretfully, the Pan Association through its member bands have decided to refrain from participating in the 2018 national Panorama competition.”
“I can only assume there is something more to it than that,” the Minister said.
Matthew revealed that from his very first meeting, the association had been floating the idea of a boycott if their conditions were not met.
Several solutions to the issues presented were put forward by the Festivals Commission including, “Changing the night to the last night of the Carnival season… They said no. Changing the venue… They said no. We also suggested that they play on a small raised platform in the Recreation Grounds… They said no to that as well.”
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Carnival go shut down next.
ANtiguans are tired of being last in their own country. Jamaica and Trinidad putting their people first
In Antigua Marchal Montana done get quarter million dollars for him and his string band but the carnival queens and pan men must wait for their money because they come from Antigua.
Advise to all Antiguan’s that govt owe money, just tell Cutie you are Jamaican or Spanish and you see how fast dem find money to pay you.
So they got their money and still want to boycott. What do they want blood, wine??
You never heard a foreign artist complaint about waiting to get their money for any performance in Antigua and a we tax payer money them used na matter the lie them tell ar u especially a labor day time . them artist money reach before them even reach ya .so why Antiguan must always a get advantage. You should a ask fu you all money in advance too. Me never see a contry that love other people more than them own it so f…ing sick.
So Pan got the prime spot of Saturday and has been paid in full. Sorry guys but a boycott is a bad idea. After the strives that pan has made in recent years to get to this point where panorama is well attended by the masses, do you really think this is a good idea?? What about the youth who look forward to performing? Come on man! how would you feel if the patrons of the show boycotted the show?? Put some more thought into this decision.
Chups. Some of you just love to troll. Y’all talking about forigen acts coming here yet still its y’all up from or cocking up the VIP section. ~yawn~ must be a real slow news day.
They’re boycotting because they’re going to have to wait another year for their money again :/ if you can’t see that simple logic best move along. Bless your simple soul.
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