Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Photo Credit: BVI Platinum News

Persons who provide services during the Territory's festival celebrations are being asked to give a discount starting from next year.

Hon. Archibald Christian, At-Large Representative of the National Democratic Party (NDP) made the appeal while speaking under the 'Other Business' segment of the House of Assembly on September 3.

"I also have an appeal to make to all of the persons who benefit from the proceeds of festival. This is our emancipation celebration. For example, if you are accustom of charging as a band $1,000 for a function, give us a discount; it's festival, we will be happy with a 15 percent discount...We incur a lot of expenses and to what end. So I would like to appeal to all of the persons for next year to see if you can give us a reduction in your charges so that we can put on a decent festival because at the end of the day, it's all about money," he stated.

Hon. Christian lamented that one of the challenges Government faces after festival is the bills that have to be paid. He noted that it is time Government revisit the funding arrangements for the festivities.

"The biggest challenge that we have right now; festival is over and the bills have to be paid and we have to find the monies from somewhere to pay those bills. At some time I think we have to revisit the whole funding arrangement for festival. I may stand here on my own tonight. If we know that festival is going to cost a million dollars every year, let's budget for a million dollars," Hon. Christian stated.

Hon. Christian stated that persons must also be paid on time for the services provided.

"...Because I hate to have people running us down after festival for money. I prescribe to the philosophy that when a man works, he should be paid. So when all of the persons involved in festival work, they should be paid," he stated.

Chairman of the VI Festivals and Fairs Committee, Marvin Blyden has promised that the final report for this year's festival will be submitted by the end of this month.

The theme for this year's Emancipation Festival was 'Bringing Back Our Cultural Past; Let's Celebrate BVI Festival With Class', while the slogan was 'Emancipation: A Golden Story To Tell; Enjoy VI Festival 2012'. The celebrations came to an end on August 12 in Carrot Bay.