Kingstown, St Vincent June 18, 2026- Promoters seeking to stage events during Vincy Mas 2026 will now be required to obtain an electrical inspection certificate as part of a strengthened safety regime aimed at reducing the risk of accidents.
The announcement was made by Mr Jones of the Electrical Inspectorate during a Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) press conference on 17 June, where he outlined the agency’s role in ensuring the safety of electrical installations used at fetes and other carnival-related activities.
Mr Jones said the Inspectorate had become increasingly concerned about conditions encountered during inspections over the past three years, describing some of the findings as “alarming”.
He said the move, which is being implemented this year with support from the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force, means that event organisers must secure an inspection certificate in addition to the permits required from the police and other authorities.
“We’re not here to be the party poopers,” Mr Jones said. “We’re just here to make sure that the populace of St Vincent continues to be safe.”
According to Mr Jones, temporary electrical installations used at events pose particular risksbecause they are often assembled overnight and under pressure, increasing the likelihood that hazards may go unnoticed.
Unlike permanent household electrical systems, which can be monitored and repaired over time, event installations are erected within short periods and are frequently modified during the course of an event, he said.
The Electrical Inspectorate said it had encountered exposed cables lying in water and the use of damaged equipment during previous inspections. Although no major incidents had occurred, Mr Jones said the intention was to prevent accidents before they happen.
“Nothing has happened over the years, so people ask why we’re doing this now,” he said. “That’s exactly what we’re trying to prevent something from happening.”
Under the new process, promoters are required to submit a notification of intent form to the Inspectorate detailing the nature of the event and the equipment to be used, including generators and lighting systems.
Applicants are also encouraged to engage certified electricians, who would assume responsibility for ensuring that installations meet the required standards.
Mr Jones said inspectors would visit sites during the set-up stage to verify that installations correspond with what had been submitted and to ensure that safety requirements were being met.
Teams of inspectors will also conduct live monitoring while events are under way.
He said the measure had become necessary after officials observed that additional equipment was sometimes introduced during events, creating unforeseen hazards.
“The show might have started with one thing and then somebody gets hot and decides to pull a fan from across the road and a piece of cable is on the ground,” he said, adding that such situations could result in trips, disconnections or injuries.
Where defects are identified, organisers will be required to address them before receiving final certification to proceed.
Mr Jones stressed that the aim of the initiative was not to hinder festivities but to ensure that patrons could enjoy carnival in a safe environment.