Give priority to Badagry roads, tourism stakeholders urge Ambode

WITH the discovery of oil in Badagry, a pristine  slavery route destination, Badagry in Nigeria, tourism stakeholders have called on Lagos State Government to quicken the infrastructural upgrade of Badagry link roads to boost development and promotion of tourism.

The organisers of the Badagry Convention and Visitors Bureau disclosed during a recent Fam-Trip by a 15-man team of journalists under the aegis of Association of Nigerian Travel Journalists (ANJET) to revalidate the efforts of the body to open the historic town of Badagry for international tourism and investment opportunities.

Mr Fatai Shokunbi, the BCVB chairman, who also doubles as chairman of FAMS Embassy Suites, the Bureau is a collaborative effort of the Lagos State Government, the Badagry Local Government as well as members of the organised private sector operating in Badagry, said accessibility (good road) is key factor in tourism promotion.

“The bureau was established to showcase Badagry as a tourist destination for tourists and visitors alike to come and see the heritage sites. Also, it was established to make sure that people come here and see what Badagry has to offer.

“What the Lagos State government is planning for Badagry is laudable.

I believe the government means well for the town but I also worry over how soon these projects will take off. The proposed sea port and petroleum refinery are all good infrastructure for Badagry with a bigger prospect to grow the tourism industry. I’m speaking as a businessman, not a politician.

“However, I’m concerned about the state of roads leading to the town and I’m saying this because we know there’s a lot of work to be done towards attaining that status we all expect Badagry to reach. It’s not just fixing the roads when a prominent politician is about to visit the town as has been noticed of late; maintaining the roads has to be a routine procedure because roads are important for businesses to thrive.

“Government needs to do more. Government has to find a way through evolving and enacting policies that will encourage people outside the country to come in and invest. This is how an economy grows anywhere in the world. I know for sure that there are many Nigerians abroad who want to come home and invest, but the harsh conditions are      a huge drawback. Incentives have to be provided as it is being done in Ghana for businesses springing up in that country. Presently, the running costs for hotels are not encouraging,” Shokunbi said.

Also speaking during the tour, the secretary of the Badagry Convention and Visitor Bureau, Mr Ashamu Sewanu Fadipe, said the aim of the bureau is  to take tourism to the next level by creating opportunities for the people and business community in  the town.

“In line with this mandate and in the light of the recent developments in the form of the deep sea port and petroleum refinery lined up for the town, we on our part have also lined up a host of MICE programmes for next year 2017. These projects, we believe are tailored to raising the profile of Badagry as a Meetings, Incentive, Conference and Events destination which is also a build-up to the ultimate goal of sensitizing the minds of the people and business community of what is coming ahead for them by way infrastructural development.

“Let me also seize this opportunity to point out that Badagry alone has eight islands located on its lagoon overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. We have been engaging the state government on this matter so that they can decide on what to do with them. Some are entirely uninhabited while others are perfect for eco-tourism and bird watchers,” Fadipe stressed.