C'River Assembly Urges Otu To Revamp State's Tourism Sector
By Mark IDRAH
As part of measures to rejuvenate the tourism sector of the state, a resolution urging the Executive to revamp the unique tourism sites spread around the state has been adopted by the Cross River House of Assembly.
Sponsored by the member representing Calabar South 2 state constituency, the motion to that effect was tabled under a matter of urgent public interest asking Governor Bassey Otu to commence the rehabilitation of the Bebi Airstrip in Obanlikwu as well as the various tourism locations depicting the rich heritage of Cross River found across the length and breadth of the state.
Addressing plenary on Wednesday, Hon. Victor Nsa decried the neglect suffered by the tourism sector of the state under the previous administration stressing that the sad episode has left tourism sites in ruins, thereby denying the state huge revenue potential accruing from the potentially viable sector.
According to him, "It is pathetic that our state, which was once the ultimate destination for tourism in Nigeria and beyond is now a shadow of itself as our various tourism sites lie in ruins, arising from years of neglect and systematic decay."
" Cross River was then the cynosure of all eyes as far as global tourism was concerned. Today, the scenario is appalling, the decay is horrific. It calls for collective action to reverse the anomaly."
" We must therefore be deliberate and resolute in the quest to reclaim our pride of place as the utmost holiday destination given our vast tourism potentials which must be urgently rehabilitated to harness the dormant economic benefits needed to beef up our revenue base."
The lawmaker bemoaned the deplorable condition of virtually all the tourist sites across the State, maintaining that "it is time for the state to reactivate its tourism agenda which before now attracted the world to the People's Paradise, thereby generating additional revenue for both government and private sector to accelerate economic growth in the process.
He recalled that Cross River was globally acclaimed for its rich tourist sites, ranging from the Obudu Ranch Resort, Agbokim waterfall, Nkarasi Monoliths, the Marina Resort, Mary Slessor House, Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort amongst others which have been left to rot
Contributing to the debate, the Deputy Majority Leader and Member Representing Abi State Constituency, Hon. Davis Etta, and his Etung counterpart, Hon. Kingsley Ntui dwelled on the urgent need for the present administration to reinvigorate the tourism industry in the state as parts of concrete efforts aimed at boosting the internally generated revenue profile of the state.
Speaker of the Assembly Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, who presided over the plenary noted that the damage unleashed on the sector in the state has resulted in job losses arising from closures of hotels and other related businesses with a negative impact on the economy of the state.
He assured that the 10th Assembly under his watch will collaborate effectively with the Executive in a bid to accelerate the process of restoring the lost glory of the state in key sectors with comparative advantages.
