Managing Director of the Barbados Light and Power (BL&P), Roger Blackman signing the contract as Manager of Administration with the NCF; Wayne Webster, Producer of the Barbados Light and Power/HOTT 95.3FM Foreday Morning Jam; Randy Eastmond and Advertising Manager with Starcom Network Inc., Vilmore Johnson look on.
Focus on safety
The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) is leaving no stone unturned to ensure the Barbados Light and Power/HOTT 95.3FM Foreday Morning Jam will be a safe event.
NCF’s Manager of Administration, Wayne Webster gave this assurance while noting that the Royal Barbados Police Force and the Barbados Defence Force will again provide security, but encouraged bands also “to provide their own security to ensure the safety of their patrons.”
He further said he has heard the call from stakeholders for safety to be a priority.
“Quietly recently there were some concerns expressed apparently by some bandleaders as to the safety of the event. I want to emphasise that following the substantial review of our stakeholders that we have answered their calls and we have sought the assistance of Barbados Light and Power to ensure that this event is perhaps the most secure event that takes place in Barbados.”
A similar assurance was given by Managing Director of the Barbados Light and Power (BL&P), Roger Blackman. He told persons present at Monday’s press conference at the BL&P headquarters that there will be “70 or more lighting towers” along the routes.
“Safety is a big area of focus, it is a big part of our culture at the organisation so that is why we have taken the opportunity to not only to partner with the NCF in the sponsorship of the event, but also to champion the whole idea of safety and we certainly believe that not just Foreday Morning but all events for Crop Over can be incident-free, and we work hard with our partners and stakeholders to ensure that is achieved this year yet again.”
The theme for this year’s Jam is “Mud, Music and Mas”. Producer, Randy Eastmond said the August 3 event, which goes from one in the morning to seven, will feature a special element.
“The Barbados Light and Power has agreed to a lighting display and coloured smoke in the area of the old Laparkan building and once the revellers come around there you are going to see a fantastic display.”
The three starting points for the Jam are Queen’s Park, Barbados Tourism Investment Inc. (BTI) Carpark and the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) building and it will culminate on Spring Garden Highway. There are 37 bands registered, this is a falloff from the 47 bands registered last year. (MG)