CALABAR – Landlords in Calabar have expressed discontent with Governor Bassey Otu's directive to enhance the aesthetics of their properties along the carnival routes.
Recall that the governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Emmanuel Ogbeche, urged residents to beautify their homes for the upcoming 32-day Calabar Carnival and Yuletide festivities.
The directive specifically targets residential houses and businesses within the Calabar metropolis, emphasizing the need for repainting to refresh the appearance of the state capital. However, landlords are asserting their financial constraints, stating that they lack the resources for immediate property renovations.
Chief Wilson Etete, a landlord on Marian Road, voiced this dissatisfaction, suggesting that for the directive to be effective, the government should provide financial support. He pointed out the discrepancy in the governor granting Ten Million Naira to select hotel and business owners, who already have ample resources for renovations, while issuing orders to landlords without similar financial assistance.
Over the past two weeks, the city has undergone sanitation, decoration, beautification, and the installation of lighting and plantings in preparation for this year's Carnival Calabar. The discontent among landlords underscores the importance of considering the financial implications for residents when implementing such directives.