For the first time in the history of this nation, the Senate has risen beyond and above the fulcrum of its major charter of processing bills being sent majorly by members of the executive and public, but has raised up the banner by identifying the tourism sector of the economy as a potent sector which should not only be harnessed, but must be enhanced.
To the 8th Senate, one of the fundamental deficits of the tourism sector is the dearth of up to date legal framework for the sector and without which there could be no concerted progress achieved.
Hence, the 8th Senate instead of waiting for members of the public to initiate the bill, geared up as an entity and started stoking a national revolution and reconfiguration of obsolete provisions and reformation of archaic laws which have bogged and shackled the tourism industry in Nigeria.
The arrowhead of the revolution, distinguished Senator Matthew Urhoghide backed by the members of the Senate Committee on Culture and Tourism firstly initiated the National institute of Tourism Bill ( 2017 ), NIHOTOUR, which had passed the second reading and the Senate subsequently held a Public presentation for the Bill.
Senator Matthew Urhoghide and the entire Senate Committe on Culture and Tourism deserve commendation, reckoning and a big pat on their backs for proving to the nation that it has not made them a committee members just for the fun of it, but for the glory of the nation as demonstrated at the Public Hearing of the NIHOTOUR Bill.
Confirming that this Senate meant business, instead of allowing the unconscionable remarks by a few ignorant fellows who did not understand the import of a public hearing and who came to make uninformed contributions at the event, the Committee has also ensured the successful passage of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Bill at the second reading preparing it for a public hearing.
It is gratifying that the Senate Committee Chairman on Tourism and members are not leaving any stone unturned at ensuring that proper legislative process accorded the bill as attested to by Senator Urhoghide who sponsored the Bill to re-initiate the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, NTDC to Nigeria Tourism Development Authority, NTDA.
At the resumed debate on the bill, Tuesday, the bill sponsor, Senator Urhoghide, said that it sought to repeal the controversial Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation Act 1992 and enact the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority 2017.
This initiative of Senator Urhoghide is not only epochal, but it is an admirable advancement that will place Nigeria tourism in the front burner of development and necessitate attention being dwelt on it by the government.
Senator Urhoghide should not only be commended for this move, but should be honoured at the end of the day if the Bill metamorphosed into an Act.
For, Nigeria tourism would have advanced beyond the present fit and jerk, slow motion and epileptic movement if we have had visioners like Senator Urhoghide and present members of Tourism Committee in the saddle.
Senator Urhoghide is subtlety setting up a revolution in the tourism industry. A legislative revolution that will make Nigeria tourism assume its proper position in the economy of Nigeria. A revolution that will pave the road to fortune for Nigerians and Nigeria. A revolution of development that will stoke the tourism sector to serve the country and the citizens in the area of wealth mobilisation, employment generation, community development and socio – economic empowerment.
Senator Urhoghide and other members of the Senate Committee who are poised to reform the dead, archaic and grossly anachronistic decree or law that has been the misleading the sector into oblivion need the support of all.
and then