Tobago’s mas practitioners are threatening to stage a protest against the $1.3 million Tobago House of Assembly (THA) allocation for next month’s National Carnival.
On Tuesday, a meeting was held involving mas band leaders and Political Leader of the Progressive Democratic Patriots, Watson Duke.
During the meeting, Tobago Mas Band Leader Association’s Interim Chair, Jemma Bedlow-Dennis, said the mas band leaders feel disrespected. She claimed she made several attempts to meet with Chief Secretary Farley Augustine over the past months, but has been unsuccessful.
She also shared there has been statements of plans to focus solely on Tobago’s October Carnival – a view she stated is not supported by the band leaders.
In a response, Secretary for Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation Tashia Grace-Burris says it is unfortunate that the Interim Chair of the Mas Association took to the media before sharing concerns with the relevant authorities.
TTT reached out to the Secretary regarding the statements made by Mrs. Jemma Bedlow-Dennis. Ms. Burris informed a meeting was held on January 5th, 2023 where Ms. Bedlow and representatives indicated satisfaction with the $1.3 million allocation. The Tourism Secretary added if the mas band leaders are now changing their stance there are mechanisms through which they could have requested a review.
Meanwhile, up to news time, no response was received by Chief Secretary Farley Augustine regarding claims made by Mrs. Bedlow-Dennis.