2023 Calabar Carnival: We are 100% ready – CRS Info Boss
The Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Erasmus Ekpang says the government of Cross River State is one Hundred Percent ready to host the world in this year, 2023 Carnival Calabar, tagged: “Carnival for the Season of Sweetness”
Hon. Erasmus stated this on Monday during a World Press conference at the Ernest Etim Press Centre, Calabar to brief the media on the preparedness of the government for this year’s yuletide state event.
He said, “Governor Bassey Edet Otu since coming on board, May 29, 2023, has rejigged the state civil service, reconstructions MDAs. I want to say that Prince Bassey Otu’s administration operates a very open policies for journalists, you can attest to that, he has been here by himself”
“Recently the state Executive Council has approved the implementation of some projects, including emergency intervention works on roads and drainage in Calabar Metropolis. Council has also approved the remodeling of the State Library complex”
“As the image maker of the State, Hon. Ekpang noted that Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s administration operates an open-door policy for journalists”
He said, “Under my watch, the Capital is beginning to take a new shape. Cross River State is ready for the Season of Sweetness, Calabar Carnival, our security is in top shape”
The commissioner further asserted that the Governor Bassey Otu-led administration will continue to provide a level playing ground for all Journalists to perform their legitimate duties.
Thereby Assuring that “The Media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, should necessarily partner with Government to guarantee good governance”
“Under my watch as the Chief Image Maker of the State, my team and I are pursuing a robust rebranding program under the Peoples First Mantra of Governor Otu targeted at restoring Cross River State to the best destinations for business and leisure”
“We can’t do it alone, we certainly need the support of the Media to deliver creditably as symbiotic partners”
“The more reason why you operate an open door policy which means you are always available 24 hours for any clarifications, suggestions, and ideas before going to Press to avoid misinforming the society”
“Governor Otu since coming on board on May 29, 2023, has rejigged the State Service, restructured the MDAs, embarked on the massive infrastructural renovation of critical offices, adopted the use of hardcore cement for road rehabilitation and reconstruction, restored the 32-day Calabar Festival with varying Season of Sweetness innovations. The ripples effects of all these are glaring and impactful”
“Moreso, the State Executive Council just recently approved the implementation of some key projects, including emergency intervention works on roads and drainages in the Calabar metropolis”
The commissioner also said, “Along Murtala Mohammed highway, ndidem iso road and Marina resorts Gully erosion”
“Council also approve the contract award to refurbish remodeling and upgrade of the state library complex”
“Towards government efforts in improving livelihood and productivity of the citizenry, council granted approval for a 400million counterpart funding for the Agro processing Productivity enhancement and livelihood improvement support project facilitated by Ministry of international Donor coodination”
“An executive bill for the re establishment of state college of agriculture and forestry Obubra was also approved by council for tramission to the State legislature.
This is to boost availability of middle level manpower in agriculture and forestry as well as assist in the state re afforestation program”
“Council also ratify the composition of a 15 man State policy review committee headed by Ntufam Fidelis Ugbo and Associate Prof Barr. Jake Otu Enya as secretary (Eminent personalities)
According to the commissioner, he confirmed that the state executive council had earlier, approved an Aviation training academy to commence at Bebi Airstrip.
The commissioner also stated the the council also approved funds for Canival Calabar.
“As you are already aware, His Excellency,Governor Otu a few weeks ago, presented the 2024 Budget of N250 Billion to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval.In recognition of our commitment and determination to change the face of our State,the sum of #154Billion was set aside for Capital projects while N96 Billion was earmarked for recurrent expenditure. Indeed the ‘people’s first budget’ Better days are indeed ahead of us”
“Harp on the fact that there is no society without challenges including crime and criminalities.The ability of Government and the Media to interface regularly is key in key to keeping our dear State in good light”
“Cross River State is ready for the Season of Sweetness CALABAR Festival.Our security situation is in top shape,the Security Officials are ready,Our tourism offerings are fully rebranded .Let me specially invite you all to savour the best of Cross River State hospitality” the commissioner assured.
Executive Secretary, of Cross River Carnival Commission, Mr. Austine Cobham, in his contribution says, “Carnival Calabar 2023 is going to be an opportunity to set a new record for our carnival and set a mark to prove to the world the carnival is running twenty years already, except for the two years we lost to COVID-19 and based on the mandate of the governor we are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that we have the most itch free carnival ever recorded”
Briefing on the schedule of the carnival, he said, “For events proper, our heat periodise from 26th December which we are expecting 26 states so far in confirmation to partake of our cultural parade with 18 LGAs of the state in attendance.
He said, “The 27th of December, we will be having the children’s carnival a come back after 10 years”
Every government has a driving force, critically the last government saw the children’s carnival content as not being child-friendly, so, many visiting parents and companies pulled out of the carnival because their bias was children the new government said can we now bring back this children carnival with proper censorship of content”
He said, “The DJs will not play the F songs for children, the choreographers will not do twerking, and all of that, these are interfaces that we’ve had we all the band leaders to make them understand that children’s carnival will be 100% censored”
He further assured that, “Any DJ who plays any out-of-order music for the children will be arrested and charged for child rights. That is why it sparked our confidence that we are going to have the best child show ever recorded in Cross River State” Austine stressed.
He further stated, “The mother carnival is on the 28th of December and it’s going to absorb the international aspect and everything about the carnival. On the 29th of December, the Bikers Carnival will be held and on the 30th of December we will have a street party in the Marian stretch”
Air wise, the government is working the modalities to ensure that our airline sleeps in Calabar and wakes in Calabar from the 1st of December, to ensure that the issue of cancelation of flights or no flights should not be there throughout the festivity period”
State Security Adviser, Navy Commander, Ambassador Patrick Bassey Odiong(Rtd) says, “For this carnival, security has been set up, security is on top gear. We are standing by every other security you can think of. We have the capacity and tenacity and we’re ready,” said the SA.
On his part the state Commissioner of Police, CP Gyogon A. Grimah, who was represented by DSP, Igri Ewa, Deputy PPRO says,
“Security is a holistic issue that involves all citizens, in this 21st century, modern policing entails citizens, the police will do their part which is what the command is doing, that is why the synergy from the commissioner of police is what is producing the positive results for the state because we synergies with community leaders, youth leaders, traditional rulers and then all citizens are being encouraged to form vigilante groups in their locality” the commissioner assured.