Nation
Expert Decries Huge Potential Losses Of Tourism Sector To Insecurity
A tourism expert, Dr Samuel Eremie, has decried the huge potential loss to the Nigerian tourism sector, as a result of the insecurity bedevilling some parts of the country.
The tourism development expert stated this in a chat with newsmen yesterday, in Abuja, at the launching of a book he authored entitled “Adventures in Development Tourism”.
He said that the tourism potentials of a country like Nigeria was quite huge, but unfortunately it had become a missed opportunity as a result of insecurity which, he said, had scared tourists away.
According to him, security was a major requirement for a tourism industry to thrive and that Nigeria lacked this at the moment starting from the ocean to the desert.
“There is so much insecurity and even opportunities for tourism that used to abound in this country drawing people from different parts of the country and the world, appeared to have all disappeared mainly because of the insecurity we are facing.
“Nigeria could earn a lot of dollars from foreigners, if they had assurance of their safety, if they go out towards the Atlantic ocean with local fishermen and stayed in fishing villages, where these fishermen dwell.
“Nigeria could earn quite a lot from tourism, we saw that played out in places like Kenya, where communities will host tourists, they go to the village and share the lives and experiences of those villagers and they had money.
“This is why country’s like Kenya are promoting tourism, it is the second largest foreign exchange earner of that country. If you don’t have security, nobody will be ready to spend his money in places that are not safe,” he said.
Eremie, who was a former Agricultural coordinator of the World Bank and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), noted that some tourist attractions like Osun Osogbo and Obudu cattle ranch could not attract due to insecurity.
He further said that if not for the support of international development partners, Nigeria’s plan for agricultural drive could have been at the bottom.
The expert said that Nigeria may not be the best in terms of harnessing and managing its resources for agricultural development, but there was need to stir up these sectors for the overall development of the country.
He called on Nigerian authorities to emulate India, who started small in its agricultural drive with the assistance of the World Bank, to strive hard for the development of its tourism and agricultural sector.
Eremie noted that India quickly learnt a lesson to exploit its agricultural sector potentials to develop the country, adding that Nigeria must also learn lessons from the mistakes of the past.
He stated that the book, adventures in development tourism, does not only address the problems in the tourism sector, but also documents experiences of people in development organisations who worked on the field.
The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC to embark on the water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area, Rivers state
The Group called on the Rivers state government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously as the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people
The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the council to assist in making the project a reality and attracts more developmental projects to the city
This call was on Rhythm 93.7 FM Port Harcourt, Radio program, Talk of the Town, by MOSIEND Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn alongside Mark Ojuka,Chairman of Buguma and Hon Sandra Owunari JP Chairman Obuama and monitored by our correspondent
Comrade Ojuka also called on the Management of Liquidifed Natural Gas NLG to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kala bari communities to improve their health status
He appealed to LNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting the company is doing same in Bonny, abandoning Kalabari communities
“We need contracts, free medical, scholarships and employment including skill acquisition programs for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions ”
On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Ama Ma soldiers the city is more peaceful and investors friendly as the youths of area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area
“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”
He called on the Rivers state to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths
“The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment”
“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence”
Also Speaking, Eastern Zonal Coordinator of MOSIEND Half Hour Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn called for more improve in infrastructures in Kalabari community, especially in electricity
There is little improvement in terms of electricity in Buguma city
He decried the deplorable condition
of Buguma Health Centre, saying that the hospital is near functional
“Our sisters that are pregnant and our sick parents can not access the health centre for a better treatment ”
Describing the Health Centre as an eye saw, he called on Rivers state government and Buguma Local Government chairman Hon William to improve on facilities in the centre and make it more medically accessible to the sick persons in the area
Buguma, Tammy Bruce said is the spiritual headquarter of Kalabari people as such deserve more modern facilities from the government to improve lives
The Coordinator called on government, stakeholders and oil companies to assist and improve the poor infrastructural facilities in area
“We need first class hospitals, qualified medical doctors and nurses in the health centres and hospitals”
On the oil spilled in Obuoma Chairman MOSIEND Obuoma, Hon Sandra Owunari said the spill destroyed their crops and Rivers even polluted their only source of drinking water
She expressed displeasure that Rivers state government did not send any relief materials to the people in the affected community
On Chieftaincy title to women in Obuama, Hon Sandra Owunari said the community do not install Chieftaincy title to women, saying that Chieftaincy title is only reserved for men only in the community
CHINEDU WOSU
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