We will ensure speedy rehabilitation of Ado Awaye Suspended Lake ―OYSG

THE Oyo State Government on Wednesday assured that the Ado Awaye Suspended Lake will soon be rehabilitated, just as the traditional ruler of the town, Alado of Ado Awaye, Oba Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi appreciated the state governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi for resolving the 34 years old crisis over Alado of Ado Awaye stool.

The State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun gave this assurance at the Palace of Alado of Ado Awaye during the mountaineering exercise to the suspended lake on Ado Awaye Hill (the second of the only two in the world apart from the one at Colorado US), as part of the activities marking the 2017 World Tourism Day.

The Commissioner, who led the management and officials of the Ministry, tourism stakeholders, local government staffers and some chiefs of the town on the Mountaineering exercise, stated that some corporate bodies and individuals have signified interest to partner with the state government to make the suspended lake a perfect tourist attraction.

“We would have embarked on the turnaround of Ado Awaye Suspended Lake and other tourist sites in the state but we are hindered by the paucity of funds. We have advertised for expression of interest and we received positive responses which have been reviewed. We will soon invite those shortlisted for presentation and set the modus operandi for the rehabilitation of all the listed sites and monuments,” he said emphasizing that the cultural tourism sector will soon be a viable source of revenue for the government in view of the engagement of the Public Private Partnership platform.

In his remarks, Oba Ademola Olugbile Folakanmi appreciated Governor Ajimobi for filling the stool of Alado of Ado Awaye in April 2017 after 34 years of vacancy, noting that the governor also fulfilled the aspirations of the sons and daughters of Ado Awaye with the creation of Araromi Local Council Development Area (LCDA), saying that the town had been longing to have a local council for the past 20 years.

“The government and the governor of Oyo State deserve our appreciation. Governor Ajimobi filled the vacant stool of Alado of Ado Awaye after 34 years and he also created a LCDA for us which we had been clamouring for 20years. We want to also appreciate the government for its efforts to rehabilitate Ado Awaye Suspended Lake.

“Ado Awaye Suspended Lake is a world attraction for everyone. Ado Awaye is the centre of Oyo State as discovered during the regime of Gen David Jemibewon (Rtd). We thank the government and the governor for promoting Ado Awaye and promise that we will continue to support government’s programmes and activities,” Oba Folakanmi explained.

Speaking, the Caretaker Chairman of Araromi LCDA, Barr Eyitato Olakunle promised that the council will always make the town conducive and hospitable for tourists.