Akpan Umoh
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Akwa Ibom State, Mr Orman Esin, on Saturday said that the net income generated by kiosk owners and other businesses at Christmas Village within 30 during the carnival last was about N2.5 billion.
Speaking during a press conference to herald the 2020 Christmas Jamboree in Uyo, the Esin stated that last year’s festival provided jobs for no fewer than 2, 450 people at the Christmas Village.
”The Christmas festival added to the economic strength of the state within the period. By January people were able to pay school fees, pay house rent and do all manner of things. I know of three persons who showed to me what they were able to achieve from the Christmas village.
”I believe that the activities at the Christmas village are not just about entertainment and popularity but also to ensure that people are gainfully employed within the period to enable them live well,” Esin said.
According to Esin, the state government has approved the 2020 Christmas festival, noting that the ceremony will be performed under strict adherence to the COVID-19 safety protocols.
He added that in order to avoid overcrowding and maintain social distancing, government has allocated 11 hectares of land for the construction of the 2020 Christmas Village as against 4.5 hectares in 2019.
”So, the State Executive Council has approved that the 2020 Christmas festival should hold, but with strict observance of the Covid-19 safety protocols.
”For the 31 days we will have everyone who comes to the Christmas village fully masked. In with NCDC guidelines facemask will be compulsory, the kiosks, stages and stalls will be spaced, and hand sanitizers provided at various places. Strict hygiene will be the order of the day,” he said.
Esin said that other Covid-19 safety measures have been put in place such as less activities, spacing of stages, hand washing and aggressive testing of visitors to the Christmas village.
The commissioner said the event was open to partnership with the private sector and multinational oil companies, adding that there would be advertising and branding opportunities.
He said the state was passionate about improving on its tourism potentials hence would use the 2020 Christmas festival to consolidate on the economic and commercial gains of the 2019 edition which was adjudged the biggest in the country.
Esin assured the people that adequate security arrangements had put in place within the Christmas village and its surroundings to ensure protection of life and property.