The Education Ministry’s Department of Culture, Youth and Sport wants PPP/C Member of Parliament Odinga Lumumba, the Kashif and Shanghai organisation and Hits and Jams Entertainment to settle accounts over their use of the National Stadium at Providence.
A notice published in yesterday’s Kaieteur News asked that Lumumba and the two organisations make urgent contact with the Department or the office of the National Stadium’s Manager at the earliest.
Permanent Secretary of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sport Alfred King was unable to provide specific details about the debt of the three entities identified in the notice.
When contacted, Lumumba admitted that the Alpha United Football Club, of which he is the President, owes monies for the use of the facilities at the National Stadium at some point over a year ago.
Lumumba, however, contends that he advised the football club not to pay because he found out that the ministry was “discriminating against football.”
“They were charging significantly more money for football than cricket. They were charging cricket a very small amount, around $60,000 to $100,000, while football, which they know is a black people thing, getting charge $400,000,” he said. “Ask them what the rate charge is.
What is the rate they charge how and they come to the price they charge Alpha?” he added.
Stabroek News was unable to contact Manager of the National Stadium Anthony Xavier, but King explained that commercial activities held at the stadium are governed by a contractual arrangement where costs are calculated based on the nature of activity and facilities which are to be used. “For example, costs are attached to the use of stage, lighting, security, staff and other general facilities,” he said.
Meanwhile, when contacted for comment Kashif Muhammad, of the Kashif and Shanghai organisation, refused to comment on the issue, while Rawle Ferguson, of Hits and Jams told, said he was puzzled by the notice.
“I am unclear. I don’t know what exactly the notice is in relation to but I will be going in to the ministry the first thing on Monday to settle the matter,” he said.
