CALABAR – The Cross River State Government has clarified regulations restricting photography and videography at the State Library Complex, citing public order, asset protection and user welfare amid rising holiday traffic and festival-driven visits.
In a press statement dated December 18, 2025, the Ministry of Information said unregulated filming at the recently reopened facility had disrupted learning, congested spaces and exposed public assets to misuse.
The Commissioner for Information, Erasmus Ekpang, stated that while the library remains a public institution, certain sections operate as managed spaces to guarantee sustainability, orderliness and protection of government property. Government emphasized that the guidelines were not a ban on access but a control measure to preserve quiet study conditions, reduce noise and prevent overcrowding that could undermine the library’s core mandate.
According to the statement, unrestricted photography had increasingly interfered with research activities, created distractions for readers and complicated the management of shared facilities within the complex. The directive now requires individuals or groups seeking commercial or organized photography to notify management and obtain formal approval before filming in designated areas.
Officials warned that failure to regulate activity could impose long-term costs on government through accelerated facility damage, higher maintenance spending and reduced service efficiency at a key public institution. From a governance perspective, authorities argued that allowing unchecked filming would amount to neglect of duty, exposing public assets to exploitation while privileging content creation over collective educational use.
The ministry stressed that ethical governance demands balancing openness with responsibility, especially where public infrastructure serves vulnerable groups such as students, researchers and children. Government also acknowledged citizens’ concerns, clarifying that the rules were not punitive but aimed at making the library more accessible, serene and beneficial to all users.
As Cross River enters the peak of the 2025 Calabar Festival season, officials said the regulation reflects lessons from increased visitor pressure on public spaces during major cultural events. The Calabar Festival, marking the 20th anniversary of Carnival Calabar under the theme “Traces of Time,” is expected to attract thousands of tourists, creatives and diaspora visitors into the state.
Activities scheduled between December 26 and 31 include the Cultural Carnival, Parade of Bands, Junior Carnival, Bikers Carnival, Nyoro Ekpe Cultural Parade and New Year fireworks. The government-led celebrations, promoted by the Ministry of Information, have positioned Cross River as a major cultural destination, boosting hospitality, transport and creative economies.
However, the surge in visitors has also raised ethical questions about the use of public facilities for commercial gain versus public service obligations. Policy analysts note that without clear rules, public institutions risk becoming informal event venues, shifting costs of tourism promotion onto facilities not designed for heavy commercial activity.
From the citizens’ perspective, some content creators fear the regulation may limit creative expression and reduce opportunities to showcase public spaces during the festival season. Government countered that prior approval processes protect both creators and users, preventing conflicts, congestion and selective access that could marginalize ordinary library patrons.
According to the ministry, ethical public management requires that no group monopolies shared spaces to the detriment of others, regardless of economic or promotional value.
Officials also linked the regulation to broader reforms under Governor Bassey Edet Otu’s “People First” agenda, which emphasises sustainability, order and institutional integrity.
The administration highlighted parallel investments in tourism, agriculture, aviation and social programmes, arguing that strong rules are necessary to safeguard gains from public spending.
In the long term, authorities said failure to enforce standards could erode public trust, as citizens may perceive government as unable to protect common assets from misuse.
Conversely, they warned that poorly communicated restrictions could fuel perceptions of exclusion, underscoring the need for transparency and consistent enforcement. The ministry pledged continued engagement with the public to refine implementation, insisting that ethical regulation must remain responsive, fair and aligned with international best practices.
Truth live news reports that as Cross River balances festive exuberance with institutional discipline, the photography guidelines have become a test case for how government manages competing interests in shared public spaces.
The state urged residents and visitors to cooperate with library management, stressing that responsible use today preserves access, quality and opportunity for future generations. Government concluded that development is not only about expansion and celebration but also about restraint, order and respect for the collective good in times of growth.