Custodian Decries Govt’s Neglect Of Ogbunike Cave

The custodian of Ogbunike cave in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra, Ifeanyi Onwuegbusi, on Sunday decried government’s neglect of the tourist site.

Onwuegbusi told newsmen that with proper attention and funds injection, the cave and its entire site were capable of generating substantial revenue and had the potential of boosting tourism.

He lamented that in spite of its potential, governments had looked the other way and left the Ogbunike community to maintain the site.

He said that the cave which had existed as long as the community, had only witnessed the support of government in the last military dispensation.

The only visible sign of modernity at the cave site are two toilets, built on the approach to the cave our correspondent reports.

“Well,  the state government gave a little support and that was during the last military administration when it constructed 315 steps to facilitate descent into the cave.

“Apart from this toilet built last year, in my mind, I will say that one toilet is enough; they would have built a hall where people will relax and buy one mineral or any other thing if they have any opportunity”.

Onwuegbusi said that in order to attract government’s attention to the wasting site and to enhance its development as a veritable tourist site the Ogbunike community offered 22 hectares of land around the site to government to facilitate tourism.

He expressed regret that since the offer was made, government only gazette the land and kept the document in the archive, noting that it was unfortunate that such a gift was not fully appreciated.

Onwuegbusi noted that the cave had been receiving all forms of visitors, adding that UNESCO had selected the cave as one of its heritage sites.

“We are happy for that, but we are really waiting for development to come; we have contributed quite a lot; we have given out land and made other offers.

“People volunteer to come here to protect the place and up to this moment nothing has happened, but we will continue to appeal.

“One day, God will bring somebody who is tourism-friendly to come because the kind of thing that should be built here to bring the place to world standard is beyond the community.’’

Onwuegbusi also called on the private sector to take interest in the cave as it would turn out to be a money spinner.

Our correspondent  reports that the cave has different chambers for the god and the goddess of the cave with several tunnels that could lead one out to Onitsha and Otuocha, among other neighbouring communities.

The cave also boasts of a confluence of two rivers, Ogba and Nkisi, a waterfall powerful enough to generate electricity adequate for Ogbunike community.

In its inner chambers were bats flying all over the place.