RATTAWU, Imo Arts Council protest Carnival Commission bill

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Members of the Radio, Television and Theatre Workers Union, RATTAWU, Wednesday marched to the Imo House of Assembly to protest the Bill for a Law to establish the Imo State Carnival commission, regulate and make carnival culture viable tourist, Cultural and Commercial Enterprise in Imo State and other related matters, now before the House.
The protesters displayed placards with various inscriptions such as: “We say no to Carnival Commission Bill”, “Hon. Members save culture of Ndigbo”, “Leave our duties for us” among others.
Imo State chairman of RATTAWU, Comrade Austin Onwuegbuchulam told newsmen that the union was against the Carnival Bill before the House because according to him, the bill was an alleged repetition of the law establishing the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture in 1980. Comrade Onwuegbuchulam disclosed that the law empowers the Arts Council to carry out activities that promote arts and culture in the state including issues such as carnivals. He said the state government could still realize the objectives of organizing the carnivals through the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.
Also speaking, the chairman, Imo State Council for Arts and Council, Comrade Chinedu Opara disclosed that the Carnival Commission Bill if passed, would duplicate their duties adding that there was no clear differences between the Arts Council Law of 1980 and the Proposed Carnival Commission Bill that is before the Assembly.
Meanwhile the Majority Leader of Imo House of Assembly and member for Ikeduru State constituency, Barr. Uche Oguwuike who received the protest letter on behalf of Speaker Acho Ihim, called on the protesters to remain calm as according to him, the House was poised to ensuring that the needful was done vis-à-vis the proposed bill.
Barr. Oguwuike made it clear that the bill was at the committee stage where members of the Arts Council have opportunity to make inputs during public hearing, noting that the bill in question is not intended to repeal any existing law.

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