Dr. Ernest Hilaire, Minister with responsibility, stated that in July 2021, the SLP Government expressed the policy position that it was wrong for prize money to be paid six to nine months later and it would endeavor to pay prize money within days of the Festival ending. According to Dr. Hilaire, it was wrong under the last Government and remains wrong and for the last two years payments have been made on time. He further states that it is not an issue of availability of monies but administrative prioritizing of payments. Dr. Hilaire assures creatives that he will put in place processes to ensure that the policy of the Government is implemented.

Dr .Hilaire reminds all carnival stakeholders that his Government is putting more resources in Carnival making 2025 the biggest ever. This includes increasing all prize monies this year, awarding prize money to song writers and putting more money in community carnivals. He called on all stakeholders not to get distracted by cheap political games and to start planning for 2025 to ensure that it is the biggest and best.