Stakeholders Want Harmonisation of Rivers Tourism Laws

Stakeholders at the public hearing on the state Carnival Divelopment Agency Bill, organized by the Rivers state House of Assembly, at the Assembly auditorium, last Wednesday have called for the harmonisation of the Rivers State Tourism laws.

The views of the stakeholders was premised on the fact that the harmonization will avoid duplication of functions between the Rivers State Tourism Development Board and the proposed Carnival Development Agency.

Making contributions to the executive bill at the public hearing, Director National Orientation Agency, NOA in Rivers State Andy Nweye called for a review of conflicting clauses in the proposed law and the existing Tourism Development Board law earlier passed by the Assembly.

The NOA boss, who supported the establishment of a Carnival Development Agency to properly manage the organization of carnivals in the state.

Elder Amapipi Martins in his contribution, expressed concern over the funding of the proposed agency.

He noted that the agency should be dependent to generate fund in addition to subventions to avoid drain of the state resources.

He also called for the consultation of relevant stakeholders in the constitution of the agency.

A former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon Alalibo Briggs expressed fears of a clause in the bill which boarders on fund raising for carnival development in the state, pointing out that the roles of commissioners, permanent secretaries, and that of the agency should be well detained.

He further called for the merging of all clauses that has similarities with that of the existing law.

In his contribution the Hon Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Nabbs Imegu, said the passage of the bill into law “will ensure that Rivers cultural and tourism vales are best harnerised, values are best harnerised, structured and implemented with a legal framework.