The Government of Cross River state, Nigeria has assured residents in the state and tourists coming for the 2016 annual Calabar carnival of adequate security.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ben Ayade on Event Management, Ken Aklah, gave the assurance on Thursday in Calabar, during an on-the-spot assessment of the carnival village

Mr. Aklah, who doubles as the Chairman of the 2016 carnival committee, said Mr. Ayade had introduced a new security outfit known as `Homeland Security’, to boost the existing security network in the state.

He said that the 2015 carnival witnessed some security challenges, but the state government had taken bold steps to ensure that the 2016 carnival was celebrated peacefully.

“We had a few security challenges last year; but this year’s carnival will be celebrated peacefully because Operation Delta Safe has now been extended to Cross River by the Federal Government,” Mr. Aklah said.

The special adviser said that the carnival village was moved from the botanical garden in Calabar South to Calabar Municipal garden with a view to providing more funfair for tourists."

The one month festival will commence on December 1 and end on January 1, 2017.

Gab Onah, Chairman of Calabar Carnival Commission, said that the commission had introduced innovations to the carnival, which include the modification of the Bikers festival, decentralisation of the carnival flag-off route and others.

According to Mr. Onah, this year's carnival will witness increase in international participating countries.

"The city of Calabar and the entire world will feel the 2016 carnival because we are ever ready to maintain and sustain the largest street party in Africa," he said.

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