By Onyekachi Eze
A bill for the establishment of Imo Carnival Commission and other matters thereto, which is sponsored by the member representing Owerri North in the Imo State House of Assembly, Hon Chukwuemeka Lloyd has received a onerous rejection by the Radio, Television, Theater and Arts Workers Union of Nigeria, RATTAWU, as they matched on a peaceful protest calling for the cancellation of the bill.
Trumpeta Newspaper gathered that the said bill is co-sponsored by the following Hon Members; Ugonna Ozuruigbo, Lugard Osuji, Kennedy Ibeh, Ikechukwu Amuka, Uche Agabige, Uche Oguwuike, and Ken Agbim.
The proposed Carnival bill is said to have passed its second reading in the floor of the House, and being committed to the Committee stage.
The protesters stormed the Assembly complex at the early hours of yesterday with placards which read; “We say no to rape on our culture “; “We say no to carnival Commission bill”; “Omenala Igbo GA Adi”, among other inscriptions.
According to the State Chairman of RATTAWU, Comrade Austine Onwuegbuchulem, the said bill by its contents, functions and purpose duplicates the functions of Imo State Council for Arts and culture.
They said, “a close look at the bill, put in comparison with law no 14 of 1980 will reveal that most parts of the law was simply plagiarized in the bill except for few areas changed for the personal benefits of the sponsors”.
Commenting further, RATTAWU posited that from law No 14 of 1980 establishing Imo State Council of Arts and Culture, the council has been in charge of Ozuruimo festival, National festival for Arts and culture, allied local and international cultural events, to mention but a few.
They prayed for the State legislature instead of concentrating more on the bill, should make the commission a department in Imo State Council for Arts and Culture, or better still change the name to “Imo State Council for Arts and Culture Commission “.
Addressing the protesters, one of the co-sponsors , Hon Uche Oguwuike applauded them for making their grievances known in a peaceful protest.
He opined that even though the bill is on the committee stage, the House will still look into their plights for possible amendments.
