Carnival event organizers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are now facing a critical new requirement: all carnival-related gatherings must obtain a formal electrical inspection certificate from the country’s Electrical Inspectorate Division before they can proceed. The policy shift comes in response to a years-long trend of dangerous electrical oversights at private and public events, according to senior officials.
Deputy Chief Electrical Inspector Lonzel Jones outlined the new regulatory framework during a press briefing hosted by the Carnival Development Corporation (CDC) on Wednesday, noting that the state of electrical installations documented by inspectors over the past three years was deeply concerning enough to force immediate regulatory change. Jones explained that as the number of independent, private carnival events has grown steadily, inspection teams have repeatedly encountered life-threatening hazards across event sites. These violations have included exposed electrical cables submerged in standing water, and widespread use of damaged, outdated electrical equipment that poses major shock and fire risks to attendees and event staff.
Jones addressed common pushback from event organizers, many of whom have questioned why the new rules are being implemented now after decades of unregulated installations. “People keep saying that nothing happened over the years, so why are you guys popping up now? And that is exactly what we are trying to prevent — something from happening,” Jones stated. He emphasized that the division’s goal is not to disrupt or cancel celebrations, but to protect the general public: “we are not here to be party poopers; we are just here to make sure that the populace of St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to be safe.”
Officials point to common industry practices that create inherent safety gaps for event electrical work. Most event setups are completed overnight, under tight time pressure that pushes electricians and organizers to cut corners and skip critical safety checks. Additionally, it is common for extra electrical equipment and lighting to be added after initial setup is complete, creating unplanned loads and additional hazards that would go unnoticed without formal oversight.
Under the new process, promoters must follow a clear, step-by-step approval pathway to receive their inspection certificate. First, organizers must submit a formal “Notification of Intent” application, which provides the Electrical Inspectorate Division with full details of the planned electrical installation, including the total number of lighting fixtures, equipment loads, and other key specifications. Once the application is reviewed, organizers receive a temporary pass that must be presented to local police to obtain formal event permission.
A core requirement of the new rules mandates that all event electrical work must be completed by certified, licensed electricians. After installation is finished, a team of inspectors will visit the event site to conduct a thorough pre-event inspection, verifying that all work meets national safety standards. Inspectors will also remain on site throughout the duration of the event to conduct ongoing monitoring, checking for any last-minute additions of electrical equipment that do not comply with safety rules.
If inspectors identify any defects or hazardous conditions during the pre-event inspection, organizers will be required to fix all issues before a final safety certificate is granted. Jones confirmed that no event will be allowed to proceed to opening until all safety corrections have been completed and verified, a measure designed to eliminate avoidable risk for all attendees.