‘CARNIRIV Gains, Proof Of Investors Confidence’

R-L: Former Miss World, Agbani Darego, Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, his Deputy, Engr Tele Ikuru and his Wife, Mrs Mina Ikuru, during the 2012 Rivers State Carnival in Port Harcourt, on Saturday.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi has expressed satisfaction over the gains made by the Rivers State Carnival (CARNIRIV 2012), stating that so far the improvement experienced in the one week fiesta was an indication of investment boom in the state.

Speaking to newsmen shortly after leading the free style band on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Amaechi said he was surprised by the tumultous crowd who witnessed the street procession.

In the words of the Governor, “for the fact that we have celebrated the carnival for one week and hotels fully booked, and some of my friends that came in yesterday could not get a hotel room so we have to put up a place in Government House for them is an indication that investors confidence and security of the people seemed to have returned”.

The Rivers State Governor pointed out that each edition of the CARNIRIV had shown remarkable improvement saying, “for the first time this is not done by a consultant but by a government agency that we set up. So we have begun to institutionalise the carnival celebration.”

He also expressed happiness that the festival blended traditional and foreign culture, “what is unique about this festival is the fact that we are able to compare the two traditions…there is a huge debate among us whether to drop the heritage carnival or go for free style carnival. Today we are not able to resolve it.”

Aside that, he said that the huge attendance of the festival had shown the popularity and acceptance of the government by the peoples adding, “it assures you that you still have citizens with you. It is a process which you measure the acceptance of the people.”

On his part, Senator representing Rivers South -East Senatorial District, Magnus Abe remarked that one unique thing about the festival is that the people were really involved considering the large participation.

Said he, “we are learning. We are improving every year and the citizens are becoming more involved”.

For the Federal lawmaker representing Etche/Omuma Constituency in the House Of Representative, Hon Ogbonna Nwuke, the festival has boosted our culture and provided employment for teeming youth in the State.

“We are not in doubt,” he said “when Governor Amaechi decided to introduce the CARNIRIV that it will have a wholistic impact,” as he disagreed with claims that it does not reflect the culture, but rather observed that it has helped blend the culture of the state with others.

Commissioner for Employment Generation, Dr Ipalibo Harry further scored the festival high stressing that, “we are getting better by the year. It shows where we are and want to be economically, socially and culturally.

The festival commenced on Monday 10th December with a Children Street parade, special gospel night,a boat regatta on Tuesday, heritage procession on Friday and capped yesterday with a free style band style, where the governor led his Treasure base band on a street procession in the streets of Port Harcourt.