The declaration, made by Tamara Gibson, Chair of the Carnival Planning and Management Committee, was met with smiles, applause, and visible relief from artists, many of whom have long advocated for better treatment and more timely compensation.

“This year, we will not have a prize-giving ceremony. All trophies will be handed out on stage at the end of the competition, and your prize winnings will be ready for collection within one week. You will be contacted by our office for collection,” explained Chair of the Carnival Planning and Management Committee, Tamara Gibson.

The policy shift was welcomed as a victory for artists who invest heavily in costumes, production, and rehearsal in pursuit of the prestigious titles.

Among those expressing gratitude was veteran calypsonian TC Brown, who credited last year’s vocal push by performers for drawing attention to their concerns.

“Last year, we had to sing a song to wake them up, and now we’re starting to see the effects of that,” Brown said. “We want to be taken seriously. We make big investments in this competition, and we expect to get it back.”

He praised the committee’s decision, noting that it shows respect for calypsonians and signals that their voices are being heard. “It’s very refreshing. It shows that they’re paying attention to us, and it also shows the power of Kaiso.”

The move is being hailed as a milestone for the creative community and is expected to boost morale among performers heading into the final stretch of Carnival.