Scarborough, Tobago – February 26, 2024 – The Tobago Festivals Commission 2023 had assured Tashia Burris, Secretary of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities, and Transportation, that all outstanding payments for the July 21–August 1 festival of 2023 would be settled by the end of January. However, as of late February 2024, service providers and entertainers were yet to receive their funds, sparking ongoing protests due to non-payment.
Garve Sandy, the reigning Tobago Heritage Calypso Monarch, publicly shared a Facebook post with a photo holding her $40,000 winner’s check. She highlighted the delay in receiving her award money, emphasizing the urgent need for prompt updates from the Commission. Sandy later shared another post featuring a check of her winnings on social media, bringing further attention to the issue of unpaid entertainers in Tobago.