BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – DESPITE calls for the removal of Noah Mills from the position he holds in the National Carnival Committee, Culture Minister the Hon. Shawn K. Richards said “at this particular point in time I have absolutely no reason to remove Mr. Mills as the Chairman of Carnival”.
During the Sugar Mas 44 festivities, some groups of individuals expressed concern about Mills’ management style, while accusing him of bending rules and lying to suit particular circumstances.
Of particular note is the Soca Monarch Competition from which some artistes threatened to abstain unless Mills was removed as Chairman. The artistes however relented and appeared at the competition.
Speaking with SKNVibes Entertainment, Minister Richards said it was unfair for individuals to judge Mills’ performance based on the mistakes he might have made, rather than on the entire picture of Sugar Mas 44.
“Like any new committee, like any new organisation with new persons involved in it, there are certain mistakes which will be made. Yes, everything did not go perfectly but Mr. Mills did put his entire being into ensuring that Carnival, at the end of the day, had success and even introduced a number of new aspects to Carnival here in St. Kitts and Nevis. One would have to look at the entire picture and not just the one or two mistakes which were made. Mr. Mills functioned as part of a team, which was a team effort, and it should also be noted that he has done all of this voluntarily without any pay.”
Highlighting some of Mills’ positive accomplishments, Richards spoke of innovations and the early commencement of some of the Sugar Mas 44 activities.
“I think at the end of Carnival we can all say that the Carnival was a successful one. Mr. Mills brought his organisational skills to the Carnival, and it is because of those very same organisational skills why he was able to execute a successful Carnival. Mr. Mills came into the position of Carnival Chairman, I think it was in October, and within just about two to three months he was able to bring all the different volunteers together and ensure that Carnival came off to the enjoyment of the majority of persons.
“For the very first time, for example, we saw the troupes moving off early. We saw new shows starting early, calypso tents being held all over the island, even in Nevis, because Carnival is a national event. So these are things which Mr. Mills should also be given credit for.”
Asked specifically if he is giving consideration to either removing or keeping Mills as the Carnival Chairman, Minister Richards said he sees no reason why Mills should be removed.
