…Restoration of Peace – Amaechi

Wife of Secretary to Rivers State Government, Mrs Bariya Abe (right) with that of the chairman of Gokana Local Government Area, Mrs Esther Giadom, at a dedication ceremony at the Redeemed Christian Church of God, in Port Harcourt, recently. Photo: Chris Monyanaga.

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi says the success of the 2009 CARNIRIV has demonstrated to the world that Port Harcourt has regained its peaceful atmosphere contrary to reports in the international media.

Governor Amaechi who stated this yesterday while speaking to newsmen during the carnival process, in Port Harcourt, said CARNIRIV has achieved a lot in the areas of tourism as residents made brisk business in the press.

The governor said many hotels have been opened to accommodate visitors and investors are taking advantage of the programme to come into the state, which shows that peace has been restored.

Also speaking the Commissioner for Information, Mrs Ibim Semenitari, said the event was worth celebrating because it has generated a lot of economic activities in the state.

“You can see there was a lot of alternative incomes, people were selling water, ice cream, foods and all kinds of things,” she declared, noting that those were the beauty of the carnival.

She explained that the making of the floats, T Shirts as well as those that sold carnival costumes, generated some income, pointing out that the event had a way of reverberating internally to create wealth for the people.

Mrs Semenitari said apart from the feeling of togetherness, fun and friendliness offered by the cultural event, tourism and the rich cultural heritage of Rivers people were equally brought to the front burner.

The carnival procession featured local government areas of the state as well as horse ride and power bike riders parade to add colour to the event.