A human rights activist and erstwhile Chairman of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State, Comrade Celestine Akpobari, has called on the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to build tourist centres in the state
Akpobari, who made this call in a statement on Saturday in Penang, Malaysia, pointed out the financial values of touri.
He said the move would improve local delicacies and the state’s Internally Generated Revenue, IGR.
Noting how positively tourism has impacted other countries like Malaysia, Akpobari said such feat could be achieved in Rivers if the government harnesses the natural endowments on the state.
He emphasized the importance of local delicacies which would be provided through tourism.
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“On the streets of Penang in Malaysia, what I saw is amazing just because the Government of Malaysia has developed the tourism potential of this small city called Penang.
“What we called buka in Nigeria is flourishing here, if you look at the street from the beginning to the end, you can see ordinary people providing local foods.
“Tourists leave their hotels to come to the street and eat the local food. I don finish one bow now, very local, very tasty and very nice food.” He said.
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He, therefore, urged Governor Fubara to emulate the Malaysian government and build tourist centres in places like Kono and Opobo, among others in the state to attract tourists from Nigeria and every part of the world.
“This is the kind of thing I want Governor Fubara the governor of Rivers State to do in Rivers South East. I’m sure Ikuru beach is one of the best in Africa. Kono beach, Opobo all those territories, if we can develop it and bring tourists to those areas, in the evening, this is what our local food vendors will do.
“This is what we want in Rivers South East. When Gov. Fubara will open that green city of Rivers South East across the street, every part of Rivers South East,” he added.