Amaechi offers N3bn lifeline to writers, culture workers

[SunNews]

By SOLA BALOGUN and HENRY AKUBUIRO

Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Amaechi, has pledged N3 billion for the completion of a multipurpose creative village in support of writers and culture workers.

The proposed creative village, which is expected to encourage artists and writers, will be commissioned before Port Harcourt City is celebrated globally as UNESCO World Book Capital 2014.

According to the governor, who spoke yesterday during the opening ceremony of this year's Port Harcourt Book Festival held at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt, the creative village will encompass a writers resort, library, hotel, exhibition hall and theatre complex. He hinted that the state government had sought a portion of land from the Nigeria Air Force to enable it build the proposed village.

Also, an ultra modern theatre named after former Miss World, Agbani Darego, would be  ready for commissioning by December this year.

Meanwhile, Amaechi has berated his critics and all those who are causing political disaffection in the state. He said his mission was to end the era of godfathers in Rivers State, adding that all those political retirees who had endlessly stayed in the corridors of power in the state should endeavour to find other jobs to do.

He condemned the impunity with which political office holders were looting the treasury, adding that he was ready to name those who had stolen public money, and that he was ready to be challenged by whoever felt he had stolen from the treasury.

The governor tasked creative writers to always ask leaders questions on their stewardship. He wondered why no one had written or asked questions about N2.3 trillion fuel subsidy money  stolen by oil marketers. He stated that he was not averse to criticism and that people in positions of leadership must always be accountable for their actions.

 

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