By George Odok
Calabar – Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Thursday inaugurated the `Calabar Municipal Garden’ which will serve as the 2016 Calabar Carnival village, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
Ayade said that the village was chosen because it was central and accessible to residents and tourists.
The governor said the village would serve as venue for funfair and market for Christmas shopping.
He said that adequate security measures had been taken to safeguard tourists and fun seekers at the village.
The governor said that this year’s carnival would be used to highlight the issues of climate change.
“It is to the glory of God that we have witnessed the first and second dry run of the 2016 Calabar carnival.
“I wish to declare the 2016 Calabar carnival village open to all. The 2016 carnival will be better and bigger.
“We have put in place more innovations that would meet the taste of our esteemed tourists.
“I wish to assure all those coming in for the carnival of adequate security.
“Calabar carnival is the largest street party in Africa. It is time for the world to visit Calabar again for that fun fair.
“Calabar carnival is 12 years; the festival had continued to grow from strength to strength.
“We are happy because it had also promoted unity and created strong relationships between the state and the international community,” Ayade said.
NAN reports that the 31-day festival begins on Dec. 1.
Already major roundabouts along the carnival routes had been decorated with sparkling colours, while shops and buildings are being painted with blue and white to reflect the state colours.
