With Carnival 2007 just around the corner the Grenada Steelband Association has written to the Minister of Culture expressing their concern over approximately EC$113,000 in Carnival 2006 prize money still outstanding to the steelbands. The Grenada Steelband Association is appealing to the Minister of Culture to ensure that the outstanding prize money is paid by 31st May 2007. Speaking on behalf of the Steelband Association, David Seales said that it was critical that the outstanding prize monies be paid by the date indicated as many bands were depending on this payment to assist in the preparation of their orchestras for Carnival 2007. In some cases he said, some bands were still in a position where they could not cover all their Carnival 2006 debts due to the non receipt of their prize monies. This he said was also an embarrassing situation which has had a very negative effect on the affected bands’ credit worthiness and their reputations. To avoid this situation repeating, he said that the Steelband Association will seek to have a written contract in place with regards to our participation in Carnival 2007 activities. “The Steelband Association has been patient for a very long time, but our patience has run out and we are now asking that the outstanding $113,000.00 be paid in full to the Steel Orchestras. Failure to settle this outstanding obligation will greatly impact our members’ ability to properly prepare for and participate in Carnival 2007 and in particular Panorama 2007. “ Source: Grenada Steelband Association