Calabar, the capital city of Cross River, is undergoing a remarkable facelift in preparation for the highly anticipated 2023 Annual Calabar Carnival set to kick off this Friday. The state government is sparing no effort to ensure a seamless experience for residents and visitors, focusing on road rehabilitation, waste management, and overall urban beautification.
Major streets and roads in the city are undergoing final touches of rehabilitation, guaranteeing smooth movement during the carnival festivities. Drainage systems across Calabar Municipality are being desilted, and waste managers are working tirelessly to clear streets and roads of any debris.
Landscapers have meticulously attended to the lawns along carnival routes, enhancing the visual appeal of the city. To further elevate Calabar’s aesthetics, street lights on major roads and streets have been reactivated, casting a vibrant glow across the municipality.
The commitment to organizing the best carnival since its inception in 2004 is evident in the government’s efforts to rehabilitate key junctions in the city. These junctions are now adorned with festive lighting and Christmas decorations, contributing to the overall celebratory atmosphere. The iconic Millennium Park has been transformed to mark the beginning of the carnival.
Decorated junctions include Eleven Eleven, Mary Slessor, Calabar Calabar, Effiete, and Etta Agbor. Mr. Austine Cobham, Executive Secretary of the state’s Carnival Commission, has disclosed ambitious plans for the 2023 edition, aiming to make it the best-organized carnival in history.
Cobham revealed that South Africa, Brazil, Turkey, and Egypt would participate, along with 26 states from Nigeria. Emphasizing the significance of the event, he assured that security measures were in place to safeguard lives and property throughout the 32-day carnival.
This year’s carnival promises to extend its impact beyond Calabar, reaching central and northern parts of the state. New events and the revival of past traditions, such as the children’s carnival after a decade-long hiatus, are anticipated highlights.
To accommodate the influx of visitors, the state government inaugurated additional aircraft for Cally Air, the state-owned airline. Governor Sen. Bassey Otu announced that the Boeing 737, in conjunction with the existing plane, would operate flights from Abuja and Lagos to Calabar during the 32-day carnival, ensuring seamless travel arrangements.
Despite interruptions in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 lockdown, the 2023 Annual Calabar Carnival is poised to make a triumphant return, promising a record-setting celebration that transcends the boundaries of the capital city.
