Abia state Government has reiterated its commitment towards sustainable tourism development in Abia.
The Honourable Commissioner for Tourism Arts and Culture , Abia state, Barr. Tony Nwamuo who stated this in an interview with Broadcasting Corporation of Abia (BCA) and monitored by National Ambassador, disclosed that Abia state Governor, Dr. Okezie lkpeazu has done a lot to improve the tourism sector in the last seven years in the state.
Nwamuo who further described the 2022 World Tourism Day theme: “Rethinking Tourism” as apt, noted that it is time to move away from mono product economy of crude oil and diversify, adding that tourism can boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the State and Federal governments as seen in syngapore, South Africa and Kenya among others.
He listed those tourist sites in Abia to include: Azumini blue river, the long juju of Arochukwu, Amakama wonder tree, Uhuchukwu cave, the slave cell (ULOITIRI), Agbagwu slave market site, National War Museum and Ojukwu Bunker among others
In his words ” Rethinking tourism means people can reflect back, rethink and diversity. People can create wealth, earn a living using tourism development also. We are reaching out to companies, Europeans partners to support the efforts of Abia government in tourism development in Abia.
The legal practitioner who also described tourism development as capital intensive, called on the Federal Government, private and foreign partners to support government in the development of the sector in the state.
The commissioner further revealed that the ministry under his watch has created a database for the tourism sector and have been able to register all the hotels in Abia so that they can be able to pay all the levies as required by law.
He highlighted the challenges facing the sector to include lack of interest and non compliance among others by stakeholders among others, adding that the ministry has set up a taskforce to enforce compliance to government directive.
Barr. Nwamuo further explained that the yellow page; a platform that enables one to book the hotel of their choice in Abia at ones comfort zone would also be launched during the event at National War Museum by 10am today.
He called on Abians to support Gov Ikpeazu’s led-administration, noting that the Governor, has done alot to sustain businesses in the state by the provision of peaceful and business enabling environment in Abia.
