Corporate Giant Severs Ties with Panorama Champions Is it a case of the rich serving the rich?

Trinidad - In years gone by, the turbulent past of the steelband movement in Trinidad and Tobago made it advisable for foreign multi-billion dollar corporations doing business in the country to 'lend' assistance or support steelbands as a partial means of reinvesting in the community and very human resources of the nation that was an integral part of their wealth. In fact, Dr. Eric Williams, known as the 'father of the nation' and its first Prime Minister, made it clear that this course of action was 'highly recommended' to put it politely.

Fast-forward to present day; in this oil-rich country, where one of the corporate oil-giants - this one - unbelievably, not foreign-based, but fully government/state-owned - PETROTRIN - (Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited) - has severed ties with reigning world champion steel orchestra, Phase II Pan Groove as they set about defending their 2006 title. After only two years of being the steelband's sponsor, the corporation took a stance which may be described as dictating policy to the music organization.

When Steel Talks contacted the office of the corporation's president, and was eventually referred to Manager of Corporate Communications, Arnold Corneal.

But asked why the state-owned oil giant withdrew its sponsorship of the champion steel orchestra, Corneal initially only said there were 'issues'; among them that PETROTRIN had just "recently revised its sponsorship/partnering policies with respect to steelbands - that they "must have a significant developmental component… to ensure the longevity / future of the existence of the steelband." At this point Corneal declined to elaborate on, or identify in which areas Phase II fell short, but implied that the musical organization had not met their standards or requirements.

Pressed further to identify the components which Phase II Pan Groove did not exemplify, at least in PETROTRIN's view, Corneal twice reiterated his desire to instead 'focus on the positive.' Finally he admitted information which put the issue of the location of the musical organization, an area which they have occupied for more than thirty years - as the key factor.

more info http://www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2006/prepanorama/petrotrin2006x.html