The Rivers State Government has declared an emergency on the development of culture and tourism potentials in Rivers State.

Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi made the disclosure yesterday at the auditorium of the Rivers State House of Assembly, while declaring open, a two-day tourism summit, organized by the state Ministry of Culture and Tourism under the theme, “Tourism and Economic Development, the challenges of sustenance in Rivers State”.

The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Eng Tele Ikuru said that the move was to fully explore the enormous tourism potentials in the state as an alternative revenue base to the monolithic oil economy, thereby eliminating crime in the state through job creation.

He described the summit as a veritable platform for experts and stakeholders to make meaningful contributions for the government to key into, and assured that government would fully implement the recommendations of the summit

In his speech, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Nabbs Imegwu, said the summit was a manifestation of the dream of transforming Rivers State tourism potentials through an interface with stakeholders.

The commissioner disclosed that the government had concluded plans to upgrade the Port Harcourt zoo and also establish a new one with modern facilities.

In his remarks, the chairman of the event, Prof E.J Alagoa, said Nigeria has remained an endangered specie in creativity management, despite abundant potentials in that direction.

The Prof Emeritus, however, rated Rivers State high among the comity of states in terms of culture and tourism development.

Taneh Beemene