Released on = January 26, 2006, 5:39 pm

Press Release Author = When Steel Talks

Industry = Entertainment

Press Release Summary = PETROTRIN - (Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago
Limited) - has severed ties with reigning world champion steel orchestra, Phase II
Pan Groove as they set about defending their 2006 title.

Press Release Body = Trinidad - In years gone by, the turbulent past of the
steelband movement in Trinidad and Tobago made it advisable for foreign
multi-billion dollar corporations doing business in the country to \'lend\' assistance
or support steelbands as a partial means of reinvesting in the community and very
human resources of the nation that was an integral part of their wealth. In fact,
Dr. Eric Williams, known as the \'father of the nation\' and its first Prime Minister,
made it clear that this course of action was \'highly recommended\' to put it
politely.

Fast-forward to present day; in this oil-rich country, where one of the corporate
oil-giants - this one - unbelievably, not foreign-based, but fully
government/state-owned - PETROTRIN - (Petroleum Company of Trinidad and Tobago
Limited) - has severed ties with reigning world champion steel orchestra, Phase II
Pan Groove as they set about defending their 2006 title. After only two years of
being the steelband\'s sponsor, the corporation took a stance which may be described
as dictating policy to the music organization.

When Steel Talks contacted the office of the corporation\'s president, and was
eventually referred to Manager of Corporate Communications, Arnold Corneal.

But asked why the state-owned oil giant withdrew its sponsorship of the champion
steel orchestra, Corneal initially only said there were \'issues\'; among them that
PETROTRIN had just \"recently revised its sponsorship/partnering policies with
respect to steelbands - that they \"must have a significant developmental
component... to ensure the longevity / future of the existence of the steelband.\"
At this point Corneal declined to elaborate on, or identify in which areas Phase II
fell short, but implied that the musical organization had not met their standards
or requirements.

Pressed further to identify the components which Phase II Pan Groove did not
exemplify, at least in PETROTRIN\'s view, Corneal twice reiterated his desire to
instead \'focus on the positive.\' Finally he admitted information which put the
issue of the location of the musical organization, an area which they have occupied
for more than thirty years - as the key factor.

more info http://www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2006/prepanorama/petrotrin2006x.html

Web Site = http://http://www.panonthenet.com/tnt/2006/prepanorama/petrotrin2006x.html

Contact Details = whensteeltalks@hotmail.com