CARNIVAL bandleaders are choosing not to respond to Prime minister Dr Keith Rowley’s statement that the heavy spending of foreign exchange on Carnival costumes was “absolute foolishness”.

Speaking at the sod-turning ceremony for Nutrimix’s Animal and Pet Food Plant in Point Lisas on Tuesday, Rowley said the significant sums spent on Carnival costumes were not an investment and should be locally sourced.

The Express reached out to several bandleaders in Port of Spain and San Fernando yesterday, but no one was willing to address the issue.