The Minister for Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Senator Bello Gada has said that the Federal Government will support the development of tourism sites across the country, as part of efforts to reposition the agricultural and tourism sectors toward attaining its seven point agenda.

Senator Gada who stated this in Bauchi, shortly after an inspection visit to the Yankari Game Reserve said the Federal Government would accord tourism the necessary impetus it deserves so that it would add to the country’s main source of revenue as currently obtained in countries such as South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, which depends solely on the sector for revenue.

He described the economic melt down as a blessing in disguise, arguing that the crash in the world financial market had gingered government at all levels to explore other sources of revenue, to reduce total dependence on oil.

Gada recalled the positive impact of both agriculture and tourism to the nation’s development, before the discovery of oil, and expressed regret that both sectors were neglected, saying the situation must be reverted.

He commended Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda for his huge investment in tourism, assuring that the Federal Government would soon announce a package to complement his efforts on tourism.

On his response, the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Babayo Gamawa stressed the urgent need to diversify the economy to make dependence on oil less attractive.

The Deputy Governor who expressed the state government’s willingness to partner with the Federal Government in the agricultural development and tourism, also said that all staff of former Yankari National park have been absorbed into the state civil service as part of state government’s commitment to empower the people.