Date Published: 11/20/09

Rivers reads riot act on posters

* Amaechi's wife goes tough on child abuse

RIVERS State Government has read out a seeming riot act to social, political, and religious organisations that take delight in defacing public and private buildings with posters of different shapes, sizes, and colours.

The riot act came on Friday as Judith, wife of Governor Chibuike Amaechi , was tackling the legislative arm of thye state government for a special court on child abuse. She pushed for such a court  during an advocacy visit to the state House of Assembly on the passage of the child rights bill.

However, the state government has banned indiscriminate posting of posters on walls, building and public places in Port Harcourt and its environs.

This was part of the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting, held in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Thursday.

Commissioner for Information, Ibim Semenitari, who made this known said the ban became necessary in view of the culture of cleanliness which is being planned in the emerging Rivers State.

“For the kind of state we are building, we no longer want posters all over the place”, the Commissioner emphasized as she stated that a “no poster campaign” would soon be embarked upon in the state.

The information boss pointed out that henceforth, any group or persons whose posters are seen on the walls or at bus stops would be traced and be made to suffer some discomfort explaining that the policy is aimed at ensuring a clean environment.

Semenitari who stressed the need for residents of the state to cultivate the culture of keeping the state clean especially in the spirit of the new Rivers State, said  the State Executive Council also approved the payment of compensation to property owners at the Rivmall area and those within the four keps at  the Eleme Junction inter-change.

She hinted that the issue of  next year’s budget was equally discussed with a view to ensuring early submission and passage and expressed the hope that government would be able to deliver the 2010 budget to the people early next year.

Commissioner for Culture & Tourism, Marcus Nle-Eji, who briefed on the Executive Council position with respect to the 2009 CARVIRIV, said the event which promises to be colourful would kick-off on the 12 th of December 2009 with the opening of the African Village, directly opposite the Liberation Stadium, Elekahia.

Nle Ejii said the 9-day event that is aimed at showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the various ethnicities that make up the state, would be rounded off on the 20 th of December with a thanksgiving service.

The culture and Tourism boss enjoined all Local Government Areas to be fully involved in this year’s carnival, promising that government would encourage artists who participate in the event.

In the mean time, Mrs. Amaechi said that such court will try and prosecutes individuals and groups who violate the rights and privileges of the child.

“It is very imperative that children between ages 0-13 be protected from all forms of abuse because they are a venerable societal development group, we must dignify their rights at this age”.

While making her submission before the lawmaker called for the domestication of the act in line with the African context and challenge.

According to her, “there are peculiarities in the expectations and implementation of the child rights act across the various continents, we must take cognizance of the experience within Africa and challenges in Rivers state”.

The governor’s wife who disclosed that if a child is groomed on a proper foundation, he or she will be able to discharge their responsibility to the society.  “If the foundation is right early, then the child will be upright, we must put the foundation right on time because it is a major factor in getting the society right”.

Narrating her experience on child development, she called for proper over hauling of the education sector to meet the challenges and expectations of the society “I think it will be nice that a major right and privilege of the child includes education and literacy because, this is a major barrier to societal development. Put this into consideration education of the child is a necessity.

Responding, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Tonye Harry, thanked Mrs. Amaechi and stated that her submission will be considered in the final document of the child right acts.