In his remarks, the Hon. Harry highlighted that it was the first time that a sub-national branch was hosting the CPA Africa Region Conference. He indicated that the experience had given him the opportunity to witness the depth of human capacity that was available on the continent. Hon. Harry also expressed his gratitude to the Governor of the Rivers State, who in 2004, in his capacity then as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, had offered to host the CPA Africa Region Conference in 2010. When Gambia could not host the 2009 conference, the sub-national branch of the Rivers State was able to step-in to host the conference.