Got TIPS or BREAKING NEWS? Please call 1-284-442-8000 direct/can also WhatsApp same number or Email ALL news to:newsvino@outlook.com;                               ads call 1-284-440-6666

‘No need for concerns over financial accountability’ – Kishma A. Baronville

- 2014 Diamond Jubilee Festival report still not handed to Minister
New Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Kishma A. Baronville has put to rest concerns about financial accountability as she heads into her first Festival since taking the reins from former Chairman Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn speaking at the press conference. Photo: VINO
Minister for Education and Culture Hon Myron V. Walwyn speaking at the press conference. Photo: VINO
CCT Global Communication's CEO Romney Averad Penn. Photo: VINO
CCT Global Communication's CEO Romney Averad Penn. Photo: VINO
A section of the gathering at the press conference. Photo: VINO
A section of the gathering at the press conference. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI –New Chairperson of the Virgin Islands Festival and Fairs Committee Kishma A. Baronville has put to rest concerns about financial accountability as she heads into her first Festival since taking the reins from former Chairman Marvin ‘MB’ Blyden.

She was speaking at a press conference held at the CCT flagship store in Road Town today June 30, 2015.

“There are certain protocols that are expected in any business. We have taken our time. We do have certain arrangements and all of our sub-committees are aware of the arrangements with regards to how they request funds and how they record their requests and how they make submissions for payments.

However, she would not disclose the amount of money that has been made available for Festival this year.

CCT CEO defers questions on sponsorship

And CEO of CCT Global Communications, Romney Averad Penn shied away from disclosing any numbers of the company’s platinum sponsorship of the Festival this year, referring the question to the VI Festival and Fairs Committee.

He said that while the company is making a financial contribution it in no way represents the quantum of the company’s involvement in this year’s Festival in terms of its commitment and sweat equity which he said cannot be quantified in hard numbers.

“To try and quantify our contribution I would resist that but if you want any specifics you can approach the [Festival and Fairs Committee],” he said.

When pressed for an answer to the question, Ms Baronville said that each year a figure is negotiated with a potential platinum sponsor. “CCT has agreed to come in as our exclusive sponsor so our report at the end of the Festival will have all expenses and all payments etc.,” she said.

Minister Walwyn not yet received Festival 2014 report

Speaking at the press conference, Minister for Education and Culture Myron V. Walwyn said that the amount placed in the budget every year is never enough to cover all aspects of the activities but this does not mean that those additional costs are not covered.

He said that because of the process of transition from one committee to another, he has not been yet able to receive the report for Festival 2014.

“The work is being done now by the Treasurer and the new committee members to make that report available,” he said.

Stipend to committee members for their hard work

During the launch of the Carrot Bay Cultural Fiesta in August 2014, the Minister had said that he would have looked into the members of the committee being give some form of payment for the work they do. Today he clarified what he had said then, saying that he has in mind the payment of a stipend to cover incidentals like gas and printing material for the various activities covered under the Festival.

“You have members of the executive committee who use their car, gas and various other things. So when I say pay I don’t mean pay as in pay but in terms of a stipend,” he said.

He was not sure whether this arrangement will be made available for this year’s Festival and said that the committee members may not be overly concerned by this as they are more concerned with getting the Festival activities off the ground.

Some of the artistes slated to perform at the Festival Ground in Road Town are Busy Signal, Mr Chucky, Bunji Garlin and Faye-Ann Lyons, Five Star Akil, Erphan Alves and Lyrical. For East End it will be Morgan Heritage, Crazy, Fireman and for Carrot Bay Destra and Benjai. There will be other artistes but they cannot be named as contractual talks have not yet been concluded with them.

We will make available the full Festival 2015 calendar of events as well as all local and international artistes slated to be a part of it shortly.

4 Responses to “‘No need for concerns over financial accountability’ – Kishma A. Baronville”

  • carnival (30/06/2015, 16:00) Like (0) Dislike (7) Reply
    Kish I know you be transparent for sure!
  • welox (30/06/2015, 16:05) Like (10) Dislike (7) Reply
    Look he face the face of the devil
  • suggestion (30/06/2015, 16:25) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
    Make the week-end before festival local bands week-end...Who messed up don`t book them for festival. When they start chatting and blaming the committee, we will tell them shut to-f- up and go practice--give them the chance, let us hear them and judge them...since they always complaining
  • Whoppa (30/06/2015, 17:00) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
    Girl Kishma you're fine like good wine.. Mercy!


Create a comment


Create a comment

Disclaimer: Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) welcomes your thoughts, feedback, views, bloggs and opinions. However, by posting a blogg you are agreeing to post comments or bloggs that are relevant to the topic, and that are not defamatory, liable, obscene, racist, abusive, sexist, anti-Semitic, threatening, hateful or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be excluded permanently from making contributions. Please view our declaimer above this article. We thank you in advance for complying with VINO's policy.

Follow Us On

Disclaimer: All comments posted on Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) are the sole views and opinions of the commentators and or bloggers and do not in anyway represent the views and opinions of the Board of Directors, Management and Staff of Virgin Islands News Online and its parent company.