Cross River garment factory to discourage capital flight

Ben Ayade of Cross River has said that the state’s garment factory would reduce capital flight but provide job opportunities to many when it commences operations on Dec. 15.

Ayade said this while unveiling the theme of the 2015 Calabar Carnival at the 2015 Akwaaba African Travel Market Dinner in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of this year's carnival is "Climate Change."

The governor said the establishment of the factory would reduce the money being spent by the state government to import various costumes for the festival.

Ayade said that the building of the factory would also create employment opportunities for many citizens.

He said that the carnival was not just about culture and entertainment but would be used to showcase the huge business potential available in the state.

Also speaking, Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, Chairman, Calabar Carnival Bands Association, commended the efforts of the past governors of the state for sustaining the carnival.

"The Calabar Carnival started from the era of Gov. .

"When Duke was leaving, we thought it would be the end of the carnival; but Gov. on assumption of office took it to the next level.

Earlier, Mr Gab Onah, the Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, said Nigeria should look inward by exploring its tourism potential to boost foreign earnings.

Onah, who revealed that this year's carnival would attract more than 50,000 participants, noted that it would help to improve the livelihood of those living in the state capital.