The governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade has lamented that a lot of people have failed to see his big dreams.
The governor also explained that the annual Carnival Calabar is a waste of resources as the state does not reap the benefits of investing huge resources into the annual showpiece.
He stated this on Wednesday in Calabar during an interactive session with journalists, adding that the state loses more than it gains from organising the yearly carnival.
Governor Ayade said as a maritime state with a lot of natural resources and a good climate, Cross River had no business being poor.
“I took over a state that was basically a civil service state, happy with dancing on the streets during the Christmas periods in the name of carnivals which does not really yield much to the state.
“Experience has shown that the money we spend on hosting the carnival is far more than whatever comes into the state after it.
“Unfortunately, it is difficult for many people to see the big dreams of the governor and prefer the filling of potholes, planting grasses, hosting carnivals and paying salaries."
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