St. George’s, October 12, 2012 – Former Works’ Minister Joseph Gilbert is concerned that government is deliberately stalling on implementing a major project for St. Patrick, and is also worried about the future of an end-of-year festival that the parish hosted in 2010 and 2011.

“It worries me,’’ Gilbert said in reference Camerhogne Folk Festival.

Last December’s festival, which received financial backing from the government of Finland, attracted several local artistes, as well as Trinidad-based calypsonians Black Stalin and Brother Valentino.

It was marketed by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture as an attempt to provide “a platform for sustaining and preserving important elements of traditional culture in attire, food, dancing, singing and drumming.’’

The Camerhogne Folk Festival and the Aunty Tek Spice Word Festival were both introduced in 2010 by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.

The Spice Word Festival was scheduled for this month. However, it has been cancelled because of lack funds, according acting Chief Cultural Officer, Thomas Matthew.

But Gilbert attributes the success of the festivals in their first two years to the dedication and hardwork of former Culture Minister, Arley Gill.

“He breathes culture. I don’t believe that Arley Gill would have been in that ministry and allowed that festival to fall through,’’ Gilbert told broadcaster Andre Donald Friday during a one-hour interview on REAL FM Grenada.

Gill was dismissed from the senate in May by Prime Minister Tillman Thomas.

Gilbert, MP for St. Patrick West, suffered a similar fate in January, when the prime minister fired him.

The dismissals from cabinet, Gilbert said, were part of a plan “to get rid of all those who will speak truth to power,’’ and those who are friendly with former Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister, Peter David.

“Once you are known to be a good friend of Peter David, you become an enemy,’’ Gilbert said.

The St. Patrick MP said the Camerhogne Festival has been “very successful’’ and he would like to see it continue.

“I would hate to see it not come on stream this year,’’ Gilbert said. “I would do anything I can to keep it going this year.’’

The MP said funds are available for a Venezuelan-sponsored playing field in Snell Hall, but charged that government is deliberately “holding back the project from starting.’’

“It is not a question of not having the funds. We are being held hostage,’’ Gilbert claimed. “I make an appeal to the powers that be to start the project as soon as possible.’’

Gilbert said the contract for the playing field project had been awarded to Kenny’s Trucking, a Grenada company.

Gilbert and four other MPs that were elected to parliament in 2008 under the NDC banner were expelled from the party at its September 30 annual convention.

He insists, however, that he is not quitting politics and will be involved in the next general elections that are expected within months.

“Joe Gilbert will be a candidate in the next elections,’’ he emphasized.