The Cross River State Government on Tuesday said preparations were in top gear for this year’s Calabar carnival and festivals beginning from December 1, 2105.

Mr Kenneth Akler, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Event Management, told journalists in Calabar, capital of Cross River.

He said that it had become necessary to confirm that the event would hold on schedule.

“Yes, we are going to do the festival; we are going to do the carnival.

“Government is planning to review some of the activities of the carnival in order to make the event more interesting and worthwhile.

“We are trying to create something new from the old order in a bid to make the event more interesting to tourists.”

According to him, the theme of this year’s event, ‘Climate change,’ was designed to showcase the vision of the government and tailor the carnival to the state’s environment.

The governor’s aide said the children aspect of the carnival had been modified to include: ‘wonders on the wheels’ and ‘carnival tree planting.’

He said that about 10 countries had indicated their interests to participate in the carnival.

Also speaking, Mr Gab Unah, the Director-General, State Carnival Commission, said that Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River had increased the prize for the best band in this year’s carnival.

According to Unah, the prize has been increased from N20 million to N50 million.

He stressed that economic benefit was paramount for the state in its carnival plans and execution.

“It is our own oil well for now. So for us, the most important part is the commercial aspect. And this we are doing through participation of multinational companies.”

He called on tourists and citizens of the state to brace up for the best carnival the state had never witnessed. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Ayade.

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