‘CARNIRIV’ll Employ 3000 People’

Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi has signed the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency Bill including the State Bonds and Other Debts Securities Issuance Bill No5 of 2011.

The Governor also signed the Rivers State Debt Management Bill No.6 of 2011 into law before the Speaker, members of the State Assembly and Executive Council in Government House on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.

Speaking shortly after endorsing the three bills, Amaechi said the Tourism bill is the most significant as it will provide job to about 3000 people next year considering the improvements recorded at the carnival in the last three years.

His words, “the carnival has the capacity to absorb 2000 to 3000 persons. The way it is created in the law is such that from January next year each band will have its own staff and will recruit those who will compete at the end of the year and they will be paid salary not by government but by the band”.

He observed that the micro-economy especially the hotels, shop owners and other petty traders benefitted hugely from the five-day festival, which also created spirit of unity and love amongst the populace.

He said the bond will assist the state in funding its projects, as he assured that he will do everything possible within his tenure to pay back the loans, adding “the ones we have taken from the banks we are paying back. We assure you that we will complete payment by next year and some of them we have already completed payment”.

Rt Hon Amaechi stated that the State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) has blossomed to N5.2billion. “I have directed that there is no need to divert that fund to anywhere else than to repay the GTB loan. If you pay N5.2billion per month, I believe that by the end of next year we shall have completed payment.”

Similarly, he stated that from the state account repayment has equally commenced for the loan facility from Zenith bank, and he maintained that his administration will not leave any loan for the next government.

The Governor called on the Assembly not to be averse to loan. “It is important that we recognise that loans are part of avenues through government can fund development projects and that it is not a crime for anybody to collect loans,” he said.

Amaechi thanked legislators for discharging their responsibilities and assured them of his administration adherence to the provisions of the law, while wishing them the best of the season.

He explained that the loan will be used to fund road projects and power generation which he assured will be regular before the and of next year.