T&T Prime Minister Widens Ban on Fetes At Sporting Venues

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar Tuesday widened her ban on carnival activities at major sporting events here, a few weeks after announcing a similar ban at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy (BLCA).

Persad Bissessar said that she has instructed Attorney General John Jeremie and the Sports Minister, Phillip Watts “to implement an immediate ban on the hosting of all fetes at the Hasley Crawford Stadium and the Jean Pierre Complex”  in the capital.

Last week, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar, saying noise pollution is a nuisance, announced the decision to put an immediate stop to all fetes at the BLCA, in Tarouba, south of here.

“I instructed that all fetes at the Brian Lara Stadium be stopped as the noise has become unbearable for residents. For far too long, the issue of noise pollution and its negative impact on communities has been ignored. My Government is committed to addressing this, as promised,”  she said then.

The venue had become a hub for major Carnival fetes and Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar also said that by the end of 2025, her administration will pass the Fireworks Legislation  as well as enhanced noise pollution laws to “regulate designated quiet hours, as well as new restrictions on fetes, music trucks, residential parties and bars”.

San Fernando Mayor Robert Parris said Skinner Park, south of here, is open for business, and that the sporting and cultural venue has long hosted large-scale events, including international concert performances and remains home to the Calypso Fiesta, Chutney Soca Monarch Finals, and Panorama competitions.

He said the council will meet to discuss expanding Skinner Park’s use for the upcoming Carnival season.

“Imagine Carnival without fetes. Fetes is what leads into Carnival Monday and Tuesday, and that is where the foreign exchange is derived. That’s part of the orange economy. It more or less stimulates another part of the economy that certainly contributes towards GDP,” Parris said.

Former tourism, culture and the arts minister Randall Mitchell said he hopes the government r implements cultural policies without an age bias, favouring one group., noting that the country’s cultural expression should not be dismissed as “noise” or its creative economy treated as a nuisance.

“Noise pollution is a legitimate concern, but banning cultural events and event spaces is not the solution. The concept of nuisance always involves a balancing act— protecting residents’ peace while allowing the cultural economy to thrive,” Mitchell told the Trinidad Guardian newspaper.

In her latest statement, Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar said that with regards to the two venues in the capital “exceptions will be granted only for events taking place from the Thursday before the Carnival Monday and Tuesday until the Saturday after.

“Additionally all fetes and parties booked at Ministry of Sports facilities may begin no earlier than 12.00 noon and must end promptly at10.00 pm”.

She said that the National Carnival Commission (NCC) has also been directed to engage experienced “acoustic engineers to properly design sound systems at their venues, ensuring that noise and vibrations from these events are effectively minimised for neighbouring communities.

“As we move forward, my government remains committed to balancing culture and community well-being, protecting our traditions while safeguarding the peace of our citizens. Together we will build a more respectful, responsible and harmonious Trinidad and Tobago,”  she added.