The present administration in Abia State wants the state to lead others in tourism and it’s mobilising its resources to achieve the goal

Abia, God’s own state, is taking Tourism  development by storm. The state is moving fast to become a tourism haven, and it is laying the  foundation to attract tourists from in and outside the country. Notable tourist attractions of the state include the historic Long Juju of Arochukwu, the Azumini Blue River, the Amakama Wooden Cave, the National War Museum and the Ojukwu Bunker.

The state boasts of the Uluchukwu Cave, the Slave Cells, Ulo Itiri, and the Ulo Chukwu Abiama Cave. The state also boasts of unique and entertaining traditional ceremonies and dances, some of which have gained international reputation. It has many good hotels to back up its drive for tourists.

John Anozie Nwokocha, the state commissioner for information, culture and tourism, said the government has repositioned to fully tap the tourism potentials of the state. It is providing the enabling environment for tourism to thrive in the state. The government, from the onset, had concentrated on construction of new roads and the rehabilitation of old ones to ease movement around the state. “The government has pioneered revolution in road construction as never been done before,” he said.

  The commissioner pointed out that with the provision of infrastructure, investors would be encouraged to come into the state and invest. “We have also ensured that power is fairly reliable in Abia State. There is also security because where there is insecurity, investors will become scared. But I can tell you, unequivocally, that the prevailing security situation in Abia State is good and investors are welcome.”

Nwokocha said transportation is another area the government has given full attention in its two years in office. The aim is to enhance tourism development. “The government embarked on mass purchase and distribution of what we call ‘yellow buses’. As we speak, over 112 of such yellow buses and taxis, fully air-conditioned, have been delivered to the people. If you look at the cities of Umuahia and Aba, you will find these vehicles. Government is assuring that there will be more of such vehicles in the next couple of weeks,” he told Newswatch.

The commissioner said the government was also looking forward to enhancing its internally generated revenue through tourism. “All over the world, outside agriculture, tourism has become the economic hub of many countries. And because Abia State is richly endowed with such potentials, we believe if we harness our potentials as we are now doing, we are going to overtake other states in the country in tourism, including those that pride themselves as the hub of the industry in Nigeria, “

But, the state tourism development is also faced with the challenge of funding. There is no venture, be it private or public, that does not have its own ups and downs, the commissioner said and disclosed that government is considering private partnership to enhance tourism development. Already, some foreign investors have shown interest to partner with the government in developing its tourism potentials. Consequently, an Italian investor has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with the state government to develop the Azumini Blue River in Ukwa East LGA as International Tourist Resort centre.  

Equally, the development of the site of the famous Long Juju of Arochukwu in Abia North has reached an advanced stage. An access road has been provided to link the area and reconstruction and refurbishing of structures in the site have also started, Negotiations have reached advanced stages with local and foreign investors to develop the place as an international tourist centre.

The War Museum, the Ojukwu Bunker in Umuahia and the Amakama Cave are all tourist attractions to behold in the state capital. Nwokocha said this year’s Tourism Day in the state would be celebrated at the Amakama Cave, in Umuahia. The day is meant for the people to showcase their cultural heritage.

Nwokocha said his ministry was also involving many people. “We know that tourism does not mean hotels, caves, museum only. We have cultural dances, we have the Ugwu Abia celebrated annually. It is of international standard. The Ugwu Abia is the equivalence of the Arugungu Festival, the Osun festival and the likes. The festival attracts people from many countries and the government is very proud of it. Abia has one of the highest tourism potentials in the country and can become the nation’s richest state through tourism,” he revealed.

The current Miss Tourism in Nigeria is from Abia State. The state plans to hold a reception for her in the next couple of weeks. The commissioner said his ministry, more than ever before, is focused on promotion of tourism in the state. “By the time we fully tap all the tourism potentials we are endowed with, we will be at the top. As we develop the tourism attractions, we are also providing jobs for the people and generating revenue for the state,” he noted.