Abia State Government has approved the first phase of the retrofitting of the Arochukwu Waterfall as part of efforts to unlock the tourism potential of the state and position it as a major destination in Nigeria.
The initiative is expected to not only boost the State Government’s Internally Generated Revenue but also create employment opportunities and stimulate economic activities in host communities.
The Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu who disclosed this on tuesday, while briefing journalists on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting, said the initiative is designed to enhance visitor experience and attract both local and international tourists.
Prince Kanu explained that the initial phase of the project would focus on critical infrastructure, including entrance gates, souvenir shops, a town stand, bush bar, and convenience facilities to improve accessibility and comfort for visitors.
“In a strategic move to boost the tourism potentials of the state, council has approved the first phase of the retrofitting of the Arochukwu Waterfall in Ibom as part of efforts to enhance the tourism value of the waterfall as a tourist site.
“This first phase will cover the development of key visitor infrastructure and this includes entrance gates, souvenir shops, town stand, bush bar, and convenience facilities to improve accessibility and comfort, as well as overall tourist experience for visitors”, the Commissioner said.
He further revealed that other tourist sites across the state would also benefit from similar upgrades, particularly the historic Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia.
The Commissioner noted that the move follows an agreement between the state government and relevant authorities to transform the National War Museum complex into a world-class tourist attraction.
“Other tourist sites in the state, including the famous Ojukwu bunker, will undergo renovations and retrofitting to bring it to international standards.
“This follows the agreement with the state government through the State Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Arts, as secretary-general of the National War Museum, to make the Ojukwu bunker a world-class tourist attraction”, he said.
