Port of Spain, Trinidad – The Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development (MCCD) accompanied by Ministry officials, hosted an introductory meeting with the Heads of the Statutory Entities under the Ministry’s purview, on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at the Winifred Atwell Auditorium, Queen’s Hall.
This session brought together the leaders of key cultural and developmental organisations for open discussions on the status of ongoing projects, infrastructure, and stakeholder collaboration among other matters. It provided an opportunity to learn more about the work currently underway, the challenges each organisation faces, as well as, how operations can be better supported and coordinated moving forward.
The Statutory Entities represented were:
- Queen’s Hall;
- Naparima Bowl;
- National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA);
- Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (SAPA);
- National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC);
- National Steel Symphony Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago (NSSO);
- National Theatre Arts Company of Trinidad and Tobago (NTAC);
- National Museum and Art Gallery of Trinidad and Tobago (NMAG);
- National Commission for Self Help Limited (NCSHL); and
- Export Centres Company Limited.
At the meeting, Minister Benjamin was apprised of long-standing issues experienced by these entities with the following list of key matters being highlighted as priority, after not having been addressed over the past few years.
- Occupational Health and Safety concerns across all sites, including structural leaks, flooding and termite infestations.
- Queen’s Hall currently functions with an outdated floppy disk system for their resident lighting board.
- The septic system at SAPA is in disrepair.
- At NAPA, there are leaks in the main lobby area while the building’s Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system requires replacement.
- Naparima Bowl faces structural and electrical deficiencies, termite damage to the main stage and a lack of permanent administrative offices.
- NMAG is currently conducting an audit on inventory as the location(s) and condition of the Cazabon Collection is unverified while the housing and status of other pieces are being ascertained.
- Improper storage conditions have resulted in moisture damage to several artifacts within NMAG.
Representatives also presented their operational wish lists, highlighted areas for improved functions, and engaged in dialogue on how the Ministry can provide enhanced support to ensure the success of each entity, given the severity of matters currently being faced. This meeting therefore signaled the start of increased engagement with these key industry partners and forms part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to build strategic stakeholder relations, as well as improve the delivery of cultural and community-based services. Minister Benjamin reassured the representatives present that the Ministry of Culture and Community Development, under her leadership, is committed to addressing these highlight issues by securing the required funding and initiating the much-needed repairs and updates, in a timely manner.
As the respective Board of Directors are appointed in the coming weeks, the Ministry will introduce a schedule of quarterly meetings to provide a consistent and inclusive forum for monitoring and evaluating progress, addressing emerging priorities, and strengthening communication across all organisations.
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development remains steadfast in serving the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago with efficiency and pride, while working alongside its entities and related stakeholders toward the further development of our cultural sector and various communities at large.
Below are some photo highlights of the meeting.
Photo 1: An aerial view of the Inaugural Meeting with Heads of Statutory Entities hosted by the Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.
Photo 2: The Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development addresses representatives of the Statutory Entities under the remit of MCCD at the Inaugural Meeting she hosted on Wednesday June 25, 2025 at Queen’s Hall, Port of Spain.