Two (2) steel orchestras have received sponsorship from corporate entities.

Katzenjammers of Black Rock, Tobago, signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with Petrotrin, the state owned national oil company.

Katzenjammers Steel Orchestra, one of the leading steelbands in Tobago won this year’s National Panorama (Medium Band) category.

At the signing ceremony recently, Khalid Hassanali, President, Petrotrin, said the role of the Company went beyond being a producer of crude oil and refined products.

He noted that in keeping with the Company’s resolve of going beyond pure commercial consideration, Petrotrin would place emphasis on community through youth development, education, sports and culture.

Hassanali said Petrotrin has a very rich tradition in supporting the steelband movement because it provided meaningful recreation.

Manager, Beverly Ramsey-Moore, signed on the band’s behalf. She commended Petrotrin on the support maintaining it was a great movement when a state-owned company had partnered with a medium size band.

The other band securing sponsorship is Couva Joylanders.  The 51 year old steel orchestra, a regular participant in the Panorama competitions often making it to the Finals in their category, will now be known as NGC Couva Joylanders.

At the function to mark this achievement, NGC’s President Indar Maharaj said: NGC will work in close collaboration with the management of the band to equip its members with the skills to manage the affairs of the organization in a professional, business-like manner.

Another aspect of the partnership was opening of its new pan complex on Railway Road, Couva.

Vernon Morancie has been re-elected Chairman of the Eastern Region while Gerard Mendez and Marie Toby were elected in the Northern and Tobago Regions respectively at Pan Trinbago’s Adjourned Triennial Regional Meeting on Sunday 16^th December.

Regional Executive Committee elections were conducted in the three (3) of the four (4) regions at specially designated venues i.e. Communications Workers’ Union Hall, Port of Spain, (Northern), Arima Town Hall, Arima (Eastern), Glen Road Community Centre, Tobago, (Tobago).

South/Central’s election of officers took place at the OWTU Headquarters, San Fernando, on Wednesday 28^th November. Only one position, Chairman, was contested.  All the other officers were returned unopposed.

The following persons have been elected to the Regional Committee for each of the Regions of Pan Trinbago and will hold office for a term of three (3) years.

Northern Region

Court Sound Specialists of Laventille group photograph with the Deputy Governor of Benue State Chief Steven Lawani after a courtesy visit to the state government. His excellency, the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria: Nyahuma Obika, his wife as well as the commissioners of culture and agriculture for the state.