The Cross River State Governor, Ben Ayade, has advanced two conflicting issues for the cancellation of the popular Calabar Carnival.
The governor had announced the cancellation of the event over what the government attributed to COVID-19 pandemic and the new Covid-19 variant Omicron in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
However, Ayade during an interaction with journalists on Wednesday, December 22 in Calabar admitted that the Carnival Calabar was not a profitable venture, adding that the state loses more than it gains from organising the yearly carnival.
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According to him, as a maritime state with a lot of natural resources and a good climate, Cross River had no business being poor.
“I took over a state that was basically a civil service state, happy with dancing on the streets during the Christmas periods in the name of carnivals which does not really yield much to the state.
“Experience has shown that the money we spend on hosting the carnival is far more than whatever comes into the state after it.
“Unfortunately, it is difficult for many people to see the big dreams of the governor and prefer the filling of potholes, planting grasses, hosting carnivals and paying salaries.
Ayade’s earlier stance on Calabar Carnival
Recall that the state commissioner for tourism, Eric Anderson, on November 29, said the carnival was going to hold but would be restricted to the UJ Esuene Stadium because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The suspension was announced during a meeting at the State Executive Council Chamber that was attended by carnival band leaders, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Eteng Jones Williams, members of the State Executive Council, local government chairmen from the 18 Council areas of the state.
He cited the health concerns arising from the outbreak of Omicron as well as prevailing security situation as one of the reasons for the suspension.
“I will not as a governor and leader compromise the lives and safety of the citizens for the fleeting and excitement of the carnival,” Ayade said.
Before announcing the suspension, Ayade had subjected the decision to popular votes, following which majority of the stakeholders voted the carnival be suspended
