UYO
Akwa Ibom government is to resuscitate tourists sites and beaches in the State, geared at boosting Tourism for increased Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
To this end, the government is planning to shore-up profile of the numerous Tourists sites, Tourism facilities and waterfront beaches criss-crossing the coastal areas of the State from Ikot Abasi to Uta Ewa to Obolo to Ibeno and to Nwaniba Marina waterfront, among others.
Already, a renowned beach development consortium in Nigeria – Landmark Africa, has been invited for discussions with the State government on modalities for the development of the Ibeno Beach Waterfront, while relevant stakeholders and host communities of the Ibeno Beach have given endorsement for the development of the Beach due to inherent benefits and prospects.
The State commissioner for culture and tourism, Sir Charles Udoh, made these known recently, during the first-ever EXCO Ministerial Briefing and End of Year review, which took place at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Uyo with Governor Umo Eno and other members of the State Executive Council in attendance.
Udoh who was taking stock of the achievements of his Ministry within the 2024 fiscal year and prospects for the 2025 financial year, disclosed that Tourism is a leading revenue earner oiling the machinery of government in most climes therefore Akwa Ibom State Government will leave no stone unturned in the sector towards increasing its internal revenue yields.
The Tourism boss reiterated that Akwa Ibom has the longest coastline of 129km, with great opportunities for job creation poverty alleviation and wealth creation, adding that these inherent opportunities will be harnessed in the coming year 2025, to shore-up the internally generated earnings of government.
Udoh emphasised that in addition to the development of beaches in the State, government will also undertake the resuscitation of the endowed Tourists sites in the State which are scattered in different local government areas of the State including: the Tourism hub in Ikot Abasi which hosts the 1929 Anti Women-tax War Museum, the Bridge-of-no-Return, the Amalgamation House and the Lord Fredrick Lugard’s residence.
Disclosing that these will be pursued vigorously in the coming year, Udoh said other Tourism facilities will be rehabilitated and assessed to boost Tourism in the State such as the Ibom Icon Hotel and Golf Resort, which will be rehabilitated as well as other hotels in the State, which will be graded and placed in government Tourism online domain: www.discoverakwaibom.com for ease of access by tourists and visitors to the State.
On achievements in the year ending 31st December 2024, the Akwa Ibom culture and tourism helmsman enlisted the ongoing Christmas Unplugged Season 2.0; the recently concluded 17th edition of the Akwa Ibom Christmas Carols, the ongoing perimeter fencing of the Unity Park with installation of solar panel lightings geared at strengthening security around the Christmas Park arena.
Other strides recorded by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism within the period under review included: 2024 China-AID Training Seminar on Tourism capacity for English-speaking African countries, attended by 4 staff of the Minsitry; participation in the Youth Innovate Africa programme, sponsored by Master Card/UNDP; Review of the Maintenance contract for Ibom Hotels, Unity Park, Ibom Plaza and Ikot Ekpene Plaza.
In addition, Udoh enumerated the restoration of a 179 years old Slave Boat at the Ibom Resort Marina, Nwaniba WaterFront through PPP arrangement; ongoing Destination Akwa Ibom online marketing campaign; participation in the African Food System Summit in Rwanda to boost Agritourism as well as discussions with Landmark Africa for the development of Ibeno Beach, among others.
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