The Anambra State government has pledged to collaborate with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) in developing an eco-friendly Green City Project of the corporation in the commercial city of Onitsha.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism Anambra State, Chief Tony Onyima, gave the pledge when he led a 3-man delegation to NTDC secretariat in Abuja.
The Director-General of NTDC, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, while addressing the 3-man delegation from Anambra State described the Green City Project as a unique platform for Nigeria’s Eco-tourism credentials with bio-fuel refinery for conversion of waste to wealth; demonstration farms; botanical gardens; hotels; housing estate; sports facilities; industrial parks; solar farms; water parks and health malls.
Mbanefo explained that the project, when fully developed, will create 20,000 jobs in two years and bolster Nigeria as a preferred destination for the growing eco-tourism market.
She disclosed that the Green City Project, which was earlier scheduled to take off in Abuja, was cancelled due to Abuja Centenary project.
The NTDC boss noted that the strategic imperative of the corporation was to rebuild the NTDC through skills acquisition and capacity building for the staff, growing the tourism value chain for revenue generation and job creation via domestic tourism.
She said: “The reason we are promoting domestic tourism is to empower the local government to create jobs. But the local government can only create jobs with the support from Federal Government by helping them to market their tourism potentials. We are here to support you and make sure that tourism in Anambra State is a huge success, generating revenue for the state and creating wealth for the people in the state.”
Mbanefo was optimistic that Nigeria would overcome the current security challenges saying that “terrorism is not peculiar to Nigeria alone. A lot of countries like Israel, Egypt, Iran, United Kingdom that are more technologically advanced than Nigeria have been dealing with terrorism. Their press does developmental journalism, hence their tourism doesn’t suffer.
She assured that the corporation will create awareness for people to participate in tourism-related activities in Nigeria.
While thanking the delegation for their visit, she expressed her readiness to visit Anambra State during the Igboukwu New Yam Festival.
Chief Onyima reacting to Mbanefo’s address said: “For the green City project, Anambra State is the best place for the project because Onitsha can give you the entire refuse you want. We are eager to see the project come home because that is where it belongs.
He noted that the state government has a robust developmental programme in the area of agriculture and tourism, saying that plans were underway to amend an Act that would officially list Anambra as an oil producing State.
While disclosing the intent of the State government to build a refinery and airport, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism noted that the government has awarded a contract worth N4.5bn for the construction of road leading to the refinery which would specialize in drilling Aviation fuel.
Onyima called on NTDC to assist the state government in the registration and classification of hotels, saying that the state would soon be agog with cultural activities like beauty pageantry by 1st October and Odenigbo Carnival in December, in collaboration with the private sector.
“Tourism is one of the enablers behind our developmental programmes and it cannot materialize without having a tourism framework. In terms of hotel registration and classification, we need expertise from NTDC to classify and register them.
“We are planning for cultural activities and by October 1, we will start major beauty pageant. In December, we will agog the city with Odenigbo Carnival. It will be one week of continuous fun which will be achieved in collaboration with the private sector.
He further revealed that the government was constructing a five-star hotel at Agulu Lake and Ogbunike Cave Resort to boost tourism and attract tourists in the State even as he sought the collaboration of NTDC in achieving this laudable projects.
“Apart from these, we have the biggest thing happening in tourism. We are putting a five-star hotel at Agulu Lake to be ready by December. Ogunike cave is a UNESCO Heritage site but we have acquired the land around it which is about 100 hectares. We want to develop Ogbunike Cave Resort.
According to him, “The Nollywood started in Anambra, so we want to take the ownership back, but we cannot do it alone. That is why we are seeking NTDC’s collaboration. So, we call on you to open your doors because we will come back several times. This, we pray, is the beginning of long lasting relationship.
Left-Right: Honourable Commissioner of Information, Culture & Tourism, Anambra State, Chief Tony Onyima, Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mrs. Sally Mbanefo and Ag. Director, Administration & Supply Department, Mr. Boniface Chukwueku Eboka in a green city project power point presentation during a courtesy call on the Director General by the Anambra State government to the corporate headquarters of Corporation in Abuja.
Left-Right: Director, Information, Anambra State, Barrister Emeka Ohuoha, Director General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, Honourable Commissioner of Information, Culture & Tourism, Anambra State, Chief Tony Onyima, Director, Tourism, Uzo Oguagha in a group photograph during a courtesy call on the Director General by the Anambra State government to fast track the green city initiative at the corporate headquarters of Corporation in Abuja.
Left-Right: Ag. Director, Administration & Supply Department, Mr. Boniface Chukwueku Eboka, Ag. Director, Marketing &Promotion Department, Mrs Fibi Ikilama, Director, Information, Anambra State, Barrister Emeka Ohuoha, Director General , Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, Honourable Commissioner of Information, Culture & Tourism, Anambra State, Chief Tony Onyima, Director, Tourism, Uzo Oguagha, Ag. Director, Hospitality& Travel Trade Department, Mrs Mariel Rae-Omoh and Director , Planning, Research & Statistics, Mrs Angelina Garba in a group photograph during a courtesy call on the Director General by the Anambra State government to fast track the green city initiative at the corporate headquarters of Corporation in Abuja.