Caption: Brian Lara Cricket Academy
Alicia Chamely
PRIME Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is doubling down on her stance against noise pollution by immediately banning the hosting of fetes at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and the Jean Pierre Complex.
Persad-Bissessar made this announcement on Tuesday via X (formerly Twitter), just six days after she directed that fetes would no longer be held at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba.
On November 12, she posted, “Noise pollution is a nuisance. I instructed that all fetes at the Brian Lara Stadium be stopped as the noise has become unbearable for residents.”
This announcement was received with considerable backlash from fete promoters, organisers and other players in the entertainment industry, calling her move a “death knell” for their business operations. However, residents of Woodbrook and anti-noise pollution advocates welcomed it.
Persad-Bissessar strengthened her position and extended the ban on fetes to the Hasely Crawford Stadium and the adjoining Jean Pierre Complex, both of which sit on the outskirts of Woodbrook.
In Tuesday’s post she stated, “On Monday, I instructed the Attorney General and the Minister of Sport to implement an immediate ban on the hosting of all fetes at the Hasely Crawford Stadium and Jean Pierre Complex.”
Persad-Bissessar said, however, exceptions would be granted for events taking place from the Thursday before Carnival Monday and Tuesday, up until the Saturday after.
Adding to this, she announced that time limits for events being held at any government sport facility.
Persad-Bissessar stated, “Additionally, all fetes and parties booked at Ministry of Sport facilities may begin no earlier than 12 noon and must end promptly at 10 pm.”
The Prime Minister, who promised to tackle noise pollution as part of her election campaign, further stated she had directed the National Carnival Commission (NCC) to engage with acoustic engineers to properly design sound systems at their events to reduce noise and vibrations that affect nearby communities.
Referencing her campaign promises, she stated, “As we move forward, my government remains committed to balancing culture and community well-being, protecting our traditions and safeguarding peace of our citizens.”
Responding to the announcement, Trinidad and Tobago Promoters Association President Robert Colin Thompson said while you could not disregard the concerns of those affected by the noise of fetes, the expanding ban and restrictions borders on the encroachment of people’s civil liberties.
Thompson said again while the TTPA understands the issues that nearby residents had, the government was holding the wrong responsible, pointing out it was the duty of the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) to safeguard spaces and enforce regulations laid out by the law for events and their locations.
He said another issue the TTPA had was the complete lack of consultation.
Thompson said rather than banning fetes and instilling harsh regulations, the government should have approached the TTPA so that both parties could work out a “win-win” solution.
He noted the timing of these regulations would leave many promoters “financially exposed.”
Thompson said fetes and other Carnival events are planned months in advance with tickets printed, performer agreements, contractors and others being retained at a cost for the event.
The bans, he said, now left many promoters financially out and left event contractors and other parties at a loss.
Thompson said after it was announced that fetes and events would be banned from the Brian Lara stadium in Tarouba, the TTPA was invited by the Ministry of Culture and Community Development to meet and discuss solutions, including the possibility of alternate locations.
He said the meeting was scheduled for last Friday, but the Ministry rescheduled it to Wednesday (tomorrow).
Thompson said the Prime Minister’s latest announcement was a shock to the TTPA, as it was assumed no further decisions would be made until the Association and the Ministry had met.
