The Carnival Development Corporation will this weekend hold its prize-giving ceremony.
In a release issued today (January 4th), Chariman of the CDC Ricardo Adams said “it has been advised that funds will be made available this weekend, and we look forward to hosting the prize-giving ceremony this weekend.”
“All winners will be advised accordingly.”
Two days ago, on Monday January 2, 2023, the 2019 Soca Monarch and 3rd place winner in the 2022 Soca Monarch Competition, Derron “Magikal” Rouse posted on his Facebook page “A man who stands for nothing, will fall for anything. Music in SVG is a hustle for some but for me is a BUSINESS. Music is my bread and butter. If the rest man dem doh wa talk cause of friend friend thing that is them but I know what I deserve and I know my worth!”
“Jeddddd literally nobody respect we. Just imagine we perform in soca monarch last year and this is a new year & up to now we ain’t get pay & nobody from CDC have the respect to even reach out to we & give us a update about payment or nothing. Man dem have money to open bar and do everything else, I know every month they getting their money to be on the board. Dem getting pay so wey do we?” said Derron ‘Magikal’ Rouse.
“Like we don’t have no value when carnival done. SMH y’all need to do better. I get to understand alyo done pay way he name from up so smh.”
During an interview with WE FM’s Activated Mornings host, Christal Oliver, Rouse said “I don’t have a 9-5 job and this is my bread and butter, this is my job, so yeah come on.”
When asked how the late payments affected him, his response was “I did good in the season. I had shows overseas in America, Canada and I have been taking and saving and re-investing into my craft. These late payments are a downhill. It’s not just about we the entertainers, but also the producers, What about them?”
The CDC Chairman said “When the decision was taken, we were fully aware that the scale of thefestival and the restrictions still surrounding travel to the island would not allow for significant foreign participation. We also needed to provide additional support to our components due to the reduced scale of the festival and the continued level of uncertainty that existed at that time. All of this, coupled with the reduced sponsorship and financial support that was made available to the CDC, had a financial impact on the hosting of Vincymas 2022.”
“For many years, the CDC has looked forward to hosting the prize-giving ceremony in the months immediately succeeding the festival, but access to finances to meet this commitment in 2022 was delayed. We have been advised that funds will be made available this week, and we look forward to hosting the prize-giving ceremony this weekend. All winners would be advised accordingly.”
“I assure you that the CDC fully respects all of the components of Vincymas, and all of the players who strive over the years to make Vincymas the experience that it has been for all of our locals and visitors to these shores.”
“We sincerely apologize to the component members and all who have been affected by this delay.”
