BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - Now that Sugar Mas 45 has ended, the National Carnival Committee (NCC) is reporting that all street activities were positive, despite criticisms being levelled at the body over the results for several categories.
According to Head of Street Activities within the NCC Ivor Blake, all the events on the road were “successful”, specifically J’Ouvert.
He indicated that the December 26 event saw increased numbers of troupe participation.
“I think that went well! It was the biggest J’Ouvert that we have had in many years… and in that regard, I would say that it was a success,” Blake said.
The J’Ouvert activities over the last several years have been marred with violence, in most cases, bringing the party to an end. But last year’s was an exception, as the Police Force reported no major incidents during that event, Grand Parade, Last Lap and private events.
"With a crowd of about 4000 persons at Cooler Fete, and a similarly-large crowd for J'Ouvert, the challenges associated with such a large gatherings were ever present. We had a well-developed security plan that was executed exceptionally well by our teams," Superintendent Adolph Adams was quoted as saying in a press statement.
Blake concurred with the sentiments issued by the police.
As was previously reported by this media house, more than 24 persons were arrested for varying offences, according to Commander of District ‘A’ Superintendent Lionel Moore. Eight of those were charged with disorderly conduct by fighting and simple wounding.
Addressing, criticisms leveled at the Committee in relation to the results on Parade Day and J’ouvert, Blake sought to quell the notion that the he or the committee had any part to play. He reminded of the criteria and the judges’ locations on the road - pointing out that there were specifics that were spelt out to each band before the Carnival events got underway.
Since the results were announced for the various J’Ouvert and Parade Day categories, many have criticised the NCC for the results, specifically the Road March and Best Grand Carnival Troupe - with the former taking centre stage.
He continued: “This is technical in some aspects because it is how the band sounds and how it is mixing. We have had some judges who are sound engineers in their own rights.”
Black reiterated that the committee sat down with the bands and came up with the criteria.
“It is something that we have been doing for a long time. And sometimes when you support a particular band and the band doesn’t win, people come up with all sort of excuses and reasons why they didn't win.”
The Grand Masters band dethroned Small Axe who was going for a fifth consecutive Road March title. That left some of their fans disgruntled.
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