RSTDA To Partner RSSDA On Tourism

Following the well
planned outlay of agricultural farms in livestock, structures, crops and other agricultural displays at the Rivers Songhai Farm Initiative, the Rivers State Tourism Development Agency, (RSTDA) has indicated interest in partnering with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) with a view to tapping the tourism potentials of the SRI.
The chairman, RSTDA, Hon. Vincent Erinwo, who revealed this to our correspondent in Port Harcourt in an exclusive interview, Monday said the SRI by all standards is a tourism destination.
He said people were visiting the farms in their numbers despite the fact that the farms have not started making money from tourism.
“RSSDA is still earning money from the farm not on the fact that people visiting there go for tourism purposes.
He said most people visit the farm due to the agricultural bent of the SRI even as he said their income was mainly derived from sale of agricultural products.
On plans by the tourism agency to explore the potentials of the Songhai farms in relation to generating revenue, the RSTDA boss said as soon as a new government comes on board in the state, that synergy would be created.
According to him, the manner in which the plantation, grass cutter, cassava, birds and other livestock farms were arranged was a tourists’ delight to behold.
Erinwo emphasised that despite the fact that the SRI which is wholly managed by the RSSDA was purely an agricultural outfit, its tourism potential to complement needed revenue should not be over looked.
“It is a tourism destination, but now it is managed by RSSSDA.
“For sure it is a tourism destination and people are trooping there and having their food and meat needs satisfied yet it has the potential of being a double revenue earner,” he said.
He said though the revenue accruing to the SRI from fish, plantain, meat and accommodation was a welcome development, adding tourism to its menu would turn the fortunes of both agencies of government around.