The Oyo State International Tourism Summit was held on Wednesday, where Governor Seyi Makinde promised decade-long leases, road infrastructure, power, and other enablers to investors keen on partnering with the state government to develop and reposition select tourist sites in the state.
At the event held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, the Oyo governor particularly identified six focus sites where the state sought investor partnerships.
In what he called the focus six, Makinde said the state sought private investors in the Cultural Centre, Bower’s Tower, and Eleyele Waterfront for the Ibadan zone; Idere Hill for the Ibarapa zone; Iyamopo Hill and Iyake Lake; and Ado-Awaye for the Oke-Ogun zone.
He added that the state also desired private investment in the Eruwa farm settlement in the Ibarapa zone.
Speaking, Makinde said the state looked at an investor entry point of about N250 million, assuring that investors could make 60 percent profit a year and recoup their investment within 10 years.
In particular, Makinde said the state wanted investors that could provide suitable accommodation around the sites so that visitors could lodge for days without the usual practice of seeking accommodation in the Ibadan metropolis.
For some of the sites that have poor access roads, Makinde promised that as soon as investors committed to investing in a particular site, he would mobilise resources to fix the access roads.
Makinde was assured of working with local communities to protect the sites, just as he promised to provide the necessary enablers to facilitate investments in the sites.
Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade-John, also present at the event, stressed the need for governments to forge partnerships and work towards a future where tourism enriches the lives of residents and visitors alike.
She stressed that local communities must be actively involved in initiatives and empowered to share their traditions and heritage.
Ade-John further noted that the communities must be encouraged to be welcoming and caring towards visitors and taught to keep their environment clean.
Also speaking, former governor of Cross River, Mr. Donald Duke, stressed that all efforts must be geared towards marketing culture while seeing tourism as life itself.
The chairperson of the event, Mrs. Onikepo Akande, said that the state was open to more investors to help grow its economy for the benefit of the people.
On her part, President of the National Association of Tour Operators, Ime Udo, said it was imperative for every state to develop its potential in ecotourism and cultural tourism.
She also charged states to work with tour operators to drive investors apart from making efforts to boost access roads to the sites.
Speaking, the Osun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Ojo Abiodun, charged South West governors to be more serious about culture and tourism, especially embracing its potential to tackle joblessness.
The event featured panel discussions on powering tourism in the state, with Mr. Wale Olapade, Dr Gabe Onah, Ms Marina Bland, Mr Ikechi Uko, Professor Jide Owoeye, Mr Tony Jibunoh, and Chief Kunle Adedigba among the panellists.
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