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  • 3 months ago
Build less community centres and focus more on upgrading pan yards.

It's a call to the government by Pan Trinbago President Beverley Ramsey-Moore, as she says, that's where many young people and senior citizens spend their time.

She made the remarks at Pan on D Promenade: Youth Edition.

Alicia Boucher has the highlights.
Transcript
00:00The Brian Lauer Promenade came alive just after midday.
00:0411 junior bands from some of the big names in the steel pan industry
00:07came out to entertain spectators for Steel Pan on the Promenade Youth Edition.
00:14Phase 2 Pan Groove was the first to kick things off.
00:16It was organized by Pantrin-Bago in part to commemorate International Youth Day 2025,
00:31which is observed by the United Nations on August 12th.
00:35As she notes their importance to community and the youth,
00:38President of Pantrin-Bago Beverly Ramsey Moore calls on the government
00:43to pay more attention to the condition of pan yards in the country.
00:46We can pause on the construction of community centers
00:50and upgrade pan yards.
00:56No longer must you leave the pan yard to go to the bush.
01:03No longer you need proper bathrooms.
01:06And we have been building community centers,
01:09spending millions on community centers.
01:12That is very good.
01:13But the space where we have our young people
01:16and our senior citizens gather for the entire day
01:22and until 2, 3 o'clock in the morning, not so.
01:25We need assistance, not only from government,
01:29but we as steel man leaders will also invest.
01:33We need corporate support.
01:34But most importantly, we need government to upgrade facilities.
01:39Ramsey Moore states that other than learning to play pan,
01:43it's about empowerment for social transformation.
01:47Our business is to turn out decent citizens here in Trinidad and Tobago.
01:53And I can guarantee you that not one of these young people
01:57will end up as a social statistic here in Trinidad and Tobago.
02:02We ensure that we take them away from a life of crime.
02:07We ensure that they are prepared not to thrive in poverty.
02:11We ensure that they are able to gain proper jobs here in Trinidad and Tobago.
02:18Pan Trinidad and Tobago notes that money was allocated
02:21in the last budget for the construction of its headquarters
02:24and Ramsey Moore is looking forward to that.
02:27In the past year, BPTT became more than a sponsor.
02:31It became a pan ambassador.
02:32The company's vice president of communications and external affairs,
02:36Ryan Chaitram, says young people are the future of the steel pan movement.
02:41And his words to them were, pan takes you to very important places.
02:45You will meet the president, the prime minister, you will go to the red house,
02:49you will go to the president's, their own residence, you will meet business people.
02:54But pan also takes you internationally.
02:56Yesterday I saw All Stars was in New York.
03:01So to the young people here, if you apply yourself and excel, pan will take you places.
03:06TV6 News caught up with Adana Pompey Guerrero,
03:09Fonclair Steel Orchestra's vice captain and the arranger of the juniors of the band.
03:15She tells us the youngsters, who range from the ages of 9 to 21,
03:20were well prepared, having taken part in a number of events prior.
03:24And according to her, the developmental changes in them are notable.
03:28Different aspects of their involvement in the society as well, in the community.
03:33So we see them a little more involved in the community,
03:36going to the neighbors, being more helpful around the area.
03:40So it's really, really good overall development for them.
03:44Fonclair forever!
03:47Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
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