PNCR Leader Robert Corbin yesterday voiced his party’s support for Carifesta though he said before spending large sums on entertaining visitors the government must first put measures in place to tackle the rise in food prices and other issues.
In his address to protestors gathered for a rally at the John Ford car park on Church Street, Corbin said if comprehensive measures are not found the atmosphere will not be ideal for the successful staging of the festival. The PNCR leader made these comments at the rally which was held after several hours of marching through the streets of South Georgetown. His points were strongly supported by the protestors many of whom could be heard saying that they are fed up of going to the market or shop to buy food items, only to be met with a higher price. The party leader said government cannot give public sector workers a 5% increase on their salaries and an additional $4,000 to cope with rising food prices and then turn around and spend $500M to entertain a crowd at Carifesta. He called on the government to make the people their first priority and put the festival after.
The PNCR leader had previously said that if the government didn’t address a series of issues including the suspension of CNS Channel Six Carifesta could be affected.