RSG To Recognise Undisputed Stools … Inaugurates CARNIRIV Committee

Rivers State Government says it may recognise more Traditional Rulers in the state to fill vacant stools that are not in dispute.

To this effect, the state government has directed the state Council of Traditional Rulers to constitute a committee that would identify all vacant stools that are not in contention for proper recognition by the government.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi gave this assurance Friday while declaring open the 79th Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, at the Council Secretariat in Port Harcourt.

“We are prepared to recognise vacant stools in the state that would not have any adverse effect to the Community, therefore I would urge the Council to set up a committee to identify vacant stools without dispute for recognition”, Governor Amaechi stated.

He explained that his administration would fulfill all promises made to the Traditional Rulers’ Council within the limits of available resources, noting that a separate meeting would be convened to brief the Royal Fathers on the status of the state.

Governor Amaechi, said the state government is embarking on several projects that would better the lives of Rivers people, emphasising that the next state stakeholders’ meeting would be held at the new Model Secondary School project site at Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area, to enable the people appreciate the huge expenditure burden borne by government on some projects.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, HM, King Theophilus Princewill, said the Council would continue to uphold the objectives and principles that led to the establishment of the body as well as partner with the state government for enhanced benefit to the people.

King Princewill, who is also the Amanyanabo of Kalabari Kingdom, stressed the need for team work among the Traditional Rulers, so as to play their legitimate role of guiding the state government achieve her purpose.

The Royal Father used the occasion to thank Governor Amaechi for the giant developmental strides in the state, and solicited for more support to the Council as well as the recognition of more stools.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has inaugurated a 10member committee for the 2010 State Festival of Arts and Culture tagged CARNIRIV.

The Committee, which has the governor as the Chairman, includes the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Marcus Nle Ejii, as Vice Chairman, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, Commissioner for Budget, Gogo Charles and Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr Felix Nwaeke as members.

Others are Comrade Peter Esele, Iboroma Harry, Yibo Koko, Dornu Kogbara, Paulinus Nwankwoala and Sam Dede while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism is to serve as Secretary.

Inaugurating the Committee, Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi said the Ministry of Culture has done well in the past to organise the festival, but there is need to intervene and give it a professional touch to meet current realities.

The governor said the CARNIRIV expected to be a week long event would feature traditional parade and the Caribbean Parade to make the 2010 festival a memorable event and congratulated the members of the committee for accepting to serve.

The committee is expected to organise the 2010 CARNIRIV that would be of international standard by promoting Rivers Culture and tourism.