Special Adviser to the Kogi State Governor on Culture and Tourism, Barrister Lewis Tokunbo Asubiojo has indicated that the State Government is strategizing to up the ante in its internally generated revenue through culture and tourism.
Ojo who stated this in an interview in Lokoja said the tourism potentials of the State that have been lying fallow are about being explored as investors have started indicating interest.
According to him, now that Government is looking inwards for other sources of revenue tourism becomes the immediate alternative as the State has a lot to offer in that regards if it’s potentials are explored.
He said the Mount Patti and the Confluence Beach Hotel were of topmost interest to about two investors who have visited the sites.
The adviser indicated that the Governor’s blueprint in the new Direction Agenda has promised a lot in the area of culture and tourism which is attracting them.
“We have gotten not less than two investors that have visited the Mount Patti, the confluence Beach and lots of others but we have not yet concluded or reach an agreement.”
He said the Government is trying to develop the tourist sites in collaboration with the private partners sector.
“We want it to be private sector driven’
According to him nothing tangible was achieved by previous Government in tourism in spite of numerous potentials in the sector.
“The position is that the Governor has the political will to develop the sector. He is actually interested in developing it and people have been invited.
“As at the time we came on board Tourism compendium was not in place, the Atlas was not in place and the law to drive the ministry was not there.”
According to the adviser the bill that will make the development of the sector possible was recently passed by the house of Assembly adding that it is just waiting for the assent of the Governor.
“There are some fundamental things that have to be done before investors can come in, you know when they come they would like to see what we have on ground and as soon as they find out that we are ready for them they will key in.
“The Government on its own part is doing all the necessary arrangements to deal the deal. In all of these money is needed.” Honorable Asubiojo said the much talked about Confluence Beach Hotel was a sham as it was badly handled.
“If you go into the infrastructure that is there you will know that the building has a lot of defects as the entire place is always flooded during rainy season.”
He said for the place to be useful once again it requires a total overhaul because there are leakages everywhere.
If you have been there in recent times during the last rains you will understand. The structure is empty. There is going to be complete overhauling of that place because there in too much defect. Don’t be surprised if that place is pulled down.
Credit: ConfluenceUpdate.com
