Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke, said that the state government was planning to privatize the popular Carnival Calabar, an event he described as a big boost to the economy of the state.
Imoke, whose tenure as governor will end next year, urged whoever succeeds him to ensure that the carnival was sustained in the years ahead.
“This year’s carnival is my last carnival as the governor of this state. But I believe it will continue in the years ahead. It has truly become the ambassador event for Africa,” the governor said at the grand finale of the 10th year anniversary of the Carnival Calabar.
According to him, for the first time in the history of the carnival, the state government did not advertise it, yet the crowd that thronged Calabar to witness it was unprecedented.
Encouraged by the success recorded and prospects shown, Imoke therefore said: “We are planning to privatize it,” he said, adding however, that “There must be continuity in leadership which is very critical for us. Once we can do that, I believe we will continue to deliver great performances and improve on what we have already done over the years.”
