By Wayne Bowman, Guardian TT

The National Carnival Bands Association has been stripped of its powers and will now serve only as a point of registration for several competitions, including the junior and senior Parade of the Bands.

The National Carnival Commission announced through a release yesterday it will be in charge of the Dimanche Gras and Parade of the Bands.

However, contacted on the issue, NCBA president Richard Afong said the NCC’s move to take over control of mas from the NCBA was unlawful.

He said the NCBA is the only authorised governing body for mas, based on a Cabinet decision issued by the former UNC administration, and the NCC cannot wrest control from the association.

Afong refused to comment further. He said he will say more at a later date.

NCC chairman Kenny De Silva meanwhile said the Commission is now in charge of all finances relating to mas, including expenses for the production of various shows, as well as for the distribution of prizes.

He said several committees are currently being put in place to manage the productions. He said these will be revealed to the public by tomorrow.

De Silva said the NCC is the executive producer of Carnival on behalf of the Government, and has the authority to do anything it sees fit to ensure the festival is equitable, free of conflict and above board.

He said commissioners of the NCC will serve on the committees and the NCBA, as the group representing mas, is free to nominate persons to the committees as well.

“Richard Afong is the person on the NCBA Board responsible for operations. He has the latitude to nominate people to the committees,” DeSilva said.

The NCBA, along with TUCO and Pan Trinbago, were first given the authority to run their own events for Carnival in 1998, by then Minister of Culture Daphne Phillips.