The capital city of Cross River, Calabar, is wearing a new look ahead of the commencement of the 2023 edition of the annual Calabar Carnival scheduled to begin on Friday.
It was gathered that in the bid to ensure seamless movement, the state government was putting finishing touches to the rehabilitation of major streets and roads in the city, while the drainage system was being desilted, with waste managers also working round the clock to rid the streets and roads of waste.
The lawns on major roads and streets, especially on the carnival’s routes, have received the attention of landscapers and the aesthetics of the city have been further enhanced with the reactivation of street lights, while the junctions have been adorned with lights and Christmas decorations and the Millennium Park has been transformed to signpost the commencement of the carnival.
Mr Austine Cobham, the Executive Secretary of the Carnival Commission, had recently disclosed plans to make the 2023 edition the best ever.
Mr Cobham had disclosed that four countries: South Africa, Brazil, Turkey and Egypt, would participate in the carnival.
He further said that 26 states of the federation had also indicated interest to be part of the carnival.
He assured that adequate arrangements had been put in place to ensure security of lives and property before, during and after the festival. (NAN)