THE government will fully support all aspects of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture to provide sustainable opportunities for jobs and businesses in all communities.
This assurance was given by Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, Barry Padarath, when he delivered the feature address at the prize distribution function of the Couva Carnival Committee (CCC) at the auditorium of the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Commerce on May 18.
[caption id="attachment_1155949" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Miss Central Trinidad 2025 Naysa Semper is presented with her trophy by President of the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Commerce Deoraj Mahase at the prize distribution function of the CCC at the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Commerce auditorium on May 18. - Photo courtesy Tyrese Sinanan[/caption]
Padarath told an appreciative audience that there were several aspects of culture which fall under the remit of the Office of the Prime Minister, which will be activated to work hand-in-hand with communities throughout the country to provide sustainable opportunities to create jobs and businesses.
[caption id="attachment_1155948" align="alignnone" width="863"] Couva Junior Calypso Monarch 2025 Katelin Sultan, left, receives her trophy from Miss Central Trinidad 2025 Naysa Semper at the prize distribution function of the CCC at the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Commerce auditorium on May 18. - Photo courtesy Tyrese Sinanan. - Photo courtesy Tyrese Sinanan[/caption]
“Together with the Minister of Culture, we will give you the support that you have needed for some time. I am your voice inside and outside of Parliament. I will be representing you in all your endeavours,” said Padarath, who lives in Couva and is the Couva South MP.
[caption id="attachment_1155950" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Neil Wall, leader of Wall Brothers, winners of Couva J’Ouvert Band of the Year 2025, receives the champion trophy from David Guide, of David Guide Funeral Agency at the prize distribution function of the CCC at the Couva/Pt Lisas Chamber of Commerce auditorium on May 18. - Photo courtesy Tyrese Sinanan[/caption]
Padarath, who is also the Public Utilities Minister, also congratulated the CCC, headed by Ramchand Rajbal Maraj, for its hard work and dedication in promoting carnival at a high level over the years, noting that mas bands from as far as Siparia and Fyzabad participated in Couva carnival.
[caption id="attachment_1155947" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Housing Minister and MP for Caroni Central David Lee, left, presents the Band of the Year trophy for Couva Carnival 2025 to Emile Pollard, committee member of champion band Wing-O-Rama. Looking on is Shezeeda Khan-Mohammed, councillor, at the Couva Tabaquite Talparo Regional Corporation. - Photo courtesy Tyrese Sinanan[/caption]
He also said his five-year-old daughter played mas with the band Khalifa & Associates, which operates from McBean, Couva.
Housing Minister and MP for Caroni Central David Lee also attended the function and assisted in presenting prizes to the winners.
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