Port of Spain, Trinidad – The Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development, has made it abundantly clear that there will be no honeymoon period for the newly appointed Board of Commissioners of the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago (NCC). As the country and world at large looks ahead to Carnival 2026, the Board has been called to undertake immediate and focused action to restore accountability, transparency, and trust. Minister Benjamin has mandated that the operational standards, lines of reporting, and the promotion of our cultural product is priority.
This position follows troubling reports of financial improprieties surrounding the execution of Carnival 2025. Several key Carnival stakeholders have reported non-payment for their services, significantly disrupting their ability to meet financial obligations. Minister Benjamin has expressed serious concern over these developments, emphasising that under her watch, there will be no tolerance for financial mismanagement or delay.
Additionally, financial records show that in April 2025 a two hundred million dollar ($200 mil) loan was undertaken by NCC to pay bills in relation to Carnival 2025.
However, it is to be noted that the full amount of the two hundred million dollar loan was in fact spent, but a balance of one hundred and seventy-eight millions ($178 mil) dollars is still owed to various stakeholders for goods and services provided for Carnival 2025.
“The success of Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival cannot and will not be derailed by poor administration,” Minister Benjamin affirms. “We owe it to our stakeholders, our communities, and our culture to ensure that resources are used responsibly, transparently, and with maximum impact.”
To this end, the Minister has summoned the Board of Commissioners to a meeting on Tuesday July 29, 2025. This session will place specific attention on:
- An Internal Audit is to be immediately conducted, reviewing the current state of NCC’s financials and holistic operations;
- The submission of a Report on the findings of the aforementioned audit, including solutions toward all issues identified, whether financial, logistical and/or operational;
- A plan to address the outstanding stakeholder payments for Carnival 2025; and
- Finalising the timelines and expectations for Carnival 2026.
Minister Benjamin also observes that the financial challenges currently affecting NCC may be part of a broader fiscal trend across several Ministries and State Agencies as inherited by the previous Government, stating that, “What we are seeing at NCC is not an isolated issue. There appears to have been a broader pattern, where individuals under the former administration facilitated short-term borrowing to make payments to selected contractors. Many of these transactions were executed in the lead-up to the 2025 General Election and functioned as targeted cash injections to preferred entities. That has now left institutions like NCC grappling with serious financial strain and reputational challenges, challenges that now must be urgently addressed.”
Reaffirming that Carnival 2026 remains a national priority and that work must begin in earnest to ensure a successful season Minister Benjamin vehemently holds the position that, “There will be no wastage, no delays, and no excuses, the greatest show on earth will be successful under my remit.”
The Ministry of Culture and Community Development remains committed to providing oversight and support as the new NCC Board sets to work. Together, the Ministry will uphold the legacy of Carnival, restore public confidence, and deliver a 2026 season that reflects the best of Trinidad and Tobago’s creativity, resilience, and cultural pride.
Below is a photo of Minister Benjamin with the Board of Commissioners, NCC.
Photo above: The Honourable Michelle Benjamin, Minister of Culture and Community Development (at centre) with the newly appointed Board of Commissioners of the National Carnival Commission of Trinidad and Tobago during the Presentation of Instruments Ceremony held on Wednesday July 16, 2025 at the Ministry’s headquarters in Port of Spain. Commissioners captured in the photo above are: Mr. Peter Kanhai, Chairman (third from left), Mr. Kevan Gibbs, Deputy Chairman (second from left), Mr. Neil Iwer George (back row – left), Mr. Imran Beharry (first from left), Mr. John Michael Ali-Bocus (back row – centre), Mrs. Beverly Ramsey-Moore (fifth from left), Mr. Robert Abdool-Mitchell (back row – right), Mr. Mark Ayen (sixth from left), and Mr. Ainsley King (seventh from left).