Rivers Carnival 2011: Revealing the colours of Port Harcourt

This year’s fiesta, which kicked off from the 13th to 18th of December had the theme ‘Our culture, Our future’, mobilized people within and outside the state and kept residents in the state busy all through. “I suffered today because of this Carnival. I trekked from Rumoula on Aba road to Park because everywhere was […]

This year’s fiesta, which kicked off from the 13th to 18th of December had the theme ‘Our culture, Our future’, mobilized people within and outside the state and kept residents in the state busy all through.

“I suffered today because of this Carnival. I trekked from Rumoula on Aba road to Park because everywhere was blocked to give way for street parade. If I had known that it will be this way, I wouldn’t have come out of my house today,” Henri Cinwo told Sunday Trust.

Another resident who does not want her name in print said, “I had to walk with heavy load on my head from Lagos bus stop to Ogunabali because there was no taxi plying that road as participants where terminating their show on Aggrey Road. I think the government should concentrate on completing the ongoing roads construction and monorail to aid traffic decongestion during events like this.”

Our Correspondent in Port Harcourt reports that the hardship residents went through during this year’s festival is not unconnected with the major road construction projects embarked upon by the present administration in the state, which has temporarily closed down some roads that would have served as alternative routes to motorist.

However, the CARNIRIV thrilled the garden city with colourful displays of culture and creativity as contingents from different local government areas of the state strived to outdo others with both traditional and modern music, dance and costumes accompanied with boat regattas to showcase the reach cultural heritage of the people.

The festival, which started in 1998, has been inactive for some time until Governor Amaechi revived it. This year’s event kick-started with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) peace pageant, where about 30 contestants from the sub region participated and Miss DialloTatoumata of Guinea-Bissau emerged the Miss ECOWAS peace pageant 2011.

Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who spoke through the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii, while receiving the peace pageant delegates said his administration, gives a lot of premium to things that affect the youths and to peace which indicates the reason why government is sponsoring the event for the third time.

The peace pageant, which held on the 10th of December was followed by the Carnival which commenced on December 13th with the ‘children’s street parade that saw colourful displays of rich cultural heritage of the Rivers people as participants marched the street of Port Harcourt with a number of trucks, beautifully dressed to showcase the traditions of all the 23 local government areas in the state.

During the festival, there was heavy presence of security personnel including the army, the police and the State Security Service, who  were  deployed  all over  the streets of Port Harcourt to prevent crimes that could mar the festival, especially considering the prevalence of crimes that has bedevilled the state recently.

Considering the improvement recorded at the Carnival, the Rivers State Government has signed three new bills into law. The   State Tourism Development Agency Bill passed by the State House of Assembly is expected to create jobs for thousands of youths in next year’s carnival.

Speaking shortly after signing the bill, Gov. Amaechi said the Tourism bill is the most significant as it will provide jobs for about 3,000 people next year considering the improvements recorded at the carnival in the last three years.

“The carnival has the capacity to absorb up to 2,000 to 3,000 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 salaries not by government but by the band,” Gov Amaechi said.