The Kogi State Government on Wednesday revoked the Certificates of Occupancy of 367 plots on Mount Patti in Lokoja to allow for its development to a world class tourist site.
The Special Adviser to Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi on Media and Strategy, Mr Jacob Edi, made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in Lokoja on the outcome of the governor’s recent working visit to the U.S.
Edi said the decision to develop the hilltop to a tourist haven was a fallout of series of meetings between the government and some private investors in the U.S.
He said the mountain’s location was too strategic to be allowed to fall into individual hands for residential purposes.
Edi said the all year round good climate and the unusual vegetation the mountain was naturally endowed with had made it compelling for government to convert it to a world standard tourist site.
The media aide said the American investors who had earlier visited the site for a feasibility study had agreed to fund the project 100 per cent.
He said the tourism project which would be executed between this year and 2016, would create many jobs and also enhance the government’s internally generated revenue.
Edi also disclosed that the preliminary design of the project was ready, saying that it would have chalets, a golf course, volleyball and basketball pitches among others.
He added that it would also have cable cars to ferry tourists from the hilltop across River Niger.
The media aide said the tourism project also entailed the re-development of Lokoja town into a modern city with all the areas within 16 miles to the city centre.
According to him, government will not hesitate to demolish houses where it is necessary and that the existing laws guiding such action will be adhered to strictly.
Edi said the traditional ruler, chiefs and other stakeholder in Lokoja were fully involved in the plan and had actually given the government the go ahead.
He said that the governor during the visit also met with some well established farmers and companies to finalise talks on the government agricultural transformation project.
According to him, the talks centred on government plans on large scale mechanised cultivation of rice, soya beans and maize in Bassa, Ibaji and Idah Local Government Areas of the state.
He described the discussion as fruitful, saying that the companies had also agreed to train local farmers in techniques of modern farming. (NAN)
