Posted by By Isaac Aimurie with agency reports on
Delta State yesterday withdrew its participation from the ongoing Abuja Carnival 2008, following an accident involving some members of its contingent in Abuja, reports the News Agency of Nigeria.
Delta State yesterday withdrew its participation from the ongoing Abuja Carnival 2008, following an accident involving some members of its contingent in Abuja, reports the News Agency of Nigeria.
According to NAN, the accident which occurred near Gwagwalada in the FCT, claimed one life while some members of the contingent were wounded.
"We have been preparing for the carnival in the last five months. It is unfortunate that we have to withdraw because of the situation at hand," a top government source who pleaded anonymity told NAN.
Delta, which won prizes in the last two editions of the carnival protested against what they described as the shabby treatment mented on them by the state officials in the early hours of Friday morning at the Eagle Square, venue of the masquerade fiesta.
Oghene Brume representing Ugheli North local government area told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND that the contingents were given N500.00 instead of the N1000.00 allowance on arrival.
The contingent held the state official hostage for over an hour and sat on the ground as expression of their discontent. Efforts to get reactions from the state officials proved abortive.
However spokesperson for the carnival committee Sanni told LEADERSHIP WEEKEND he was not aware of Delta State's withdrawal from the carnival.
At the boat regatta yesterday at the Jabi Dam in Abuja, Bayelsa State contingents were involved in a boat accident as their boat sank close to shore, though no life was lost.
The annual cultural fiesta had its maiden edition in 2005 attracting local and international tourists. This year's edition however got a budgetary allocation of N350 million for the 3-day show.