HOME	AUGUST 28st, 2004

AUGUST 28

The National Carnival Committee (NCC) is warning persons against reproducing materials from this year's celebrations and offering them up for sale on the black market.

Last week Friday, DVD's from the Soca Monarch and Queen Show were on sale on the streets of St. George's close to the Farm and Gardens Center at a cost of $50.00 each.

GRENADA TODAY was told that copies of the Dimanche Gras will be available the following day Saturday. The GCC had announced that the audio and video presentations of this year's celebrations will be contracted out by the body and that the local media would not be allowed to film the different events. Investigations made by this newspaper revealed that the work to film the proceedings was given to SecCom Networks who were expected to make a number of DVDs of the shows and then offer them for sale through the offices of the GCC.

Carnival officials have said that the tapes can be purchased at a cost of $75.00 each. Chairperson Jennifer Woodroofe and Manager of the GCC office Dexter Mitchell could not be reached for comments as to why tapes from Carnival are being sold in front of the Farm and Gardens Center. However an official attached to the office told GRENADA TODAY Tuesday that DVDs should only be purchased from the Carnival office.

She said that they had also received reports by another member of the committee about tapes being sold illegally on the side walks in St. George's last week. The GCC official pointed out that her colleague spoke of informing a police officer but that she is yet to find out whether or not any one was arrested. According to her, nothing is full proof since someone will find a means whereby they can beat the system and break the law. She said however that anyone found selling the tapes will be reported to the police and that legal proceedings will be brought against them. The GCC official is appealing to patrons to only purchase DVDs from the Carnival office.

The decision to contract out the filming of this year's carnival did not go down well with the Grenada Professional Association of Calypsonians and Tents (G-PACT). President Elwin Mc. Quilkin told this newspaper at the time that SecCom would not be allowed to film the De. Manche Gras without G-PACT not having a written commitment about receiving part of the proceedings from the sale. When this newspaper contacted "Black Wizard" last Friday he said they are yet to receive any money from the sale of the DVDs.

He said he is not surprised they are being sold on the black market and that their organisation will conduct their own investigation and use the police to arrest any one they found engaged in the act.