Lagos state commences disbursement of N1bn loan to tourism stakeholders

Lagos State Government has begun the disbursement of a one billion naira capital investment loan promised to stakeholders of the tourism industry to help drive the sector after experiencing a fall due to COVID-19.

Some of the disbursement was done by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Mrs Folashade Jaji to the beneficiaries on behalf of the State Governor at the maiden edition of Lagos Tourism, Hospitality, Arts and Culture Economic Summit, LATHACE which held in Lagos on Thursday.

The event organised by the federation of tourism association of Nigeria (FTAN) Lagos State Chapter, in collaboration with the state Ministry of tourism arts and culture was graced with stakeholders across Nigeria and some African countries.

The Governor, who spoke through the SSG, at the event appreciated the organizer for partnering with the State Government in ensuring the sustenance of the tourism and recreation sector.

Speaking on the theme for this event “Public-Private Partnership for Sustainable Growth of the Tourism, Arts and Culture Industry for a Greater Lagos”, Sanwo-Olu said that the choice of the theme attests to the importance which his administration attaches to a public-private partnership.

He said that though the tourism and recreation industry in Nigeria contributes approximately 6% to the GDP, there are still opportunities for growth in the sector which could be strengthened through collaborations with the private sector to harness its full potentials.

He assured members of FTAN that the present administration would continue to leverage on meaningful partnership with the private sector towards achieving “A Greater Lagos” which he promised residents of the State.

The governor said his administration has put in place policies and strategies that would enhance the opportunities available to advance the State’s tourism potentials, just as efforts are being put in place to discover more tourism sites and also bring the existing ones to international standards.

 “The synergy between government and private sector investors and entrepreneurs will ensure steady and sustainable growth of the tourism and recreation sector in Lagos State.

“There are opportunities available for private investors and entrepreneurs to develop tourist sites and it is my privilege to inform you that UNESCO has certified “Sungbo Eredo” in the Epe Division as a World Heritage site which can be developed to boost tourism potentials in Lagos State.

” We also plan to establish a Film City in the State and the State Government has secured 100 hectares of land for this purpose with preliminary plans presently ongoing.”

The governor urged FTAN and other discussants at the event to leverage on the platform provided by the Summit to advance the tourism sector by coming up with strategies that would aid the development of Lagos State Tourism and provide a guide on how to domesticate tourism sites in the State and bring them to international standard through the involvement of the private sector.

Revealing some efforts of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture in promoting synergy with the stakeholders, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf stated that the State Government approved 50 per cent rebate for the practitioners in the payment of their operating license fees to the State Government for the year 2020.

She stated that the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries of the N1 billion loan shows that the initiative is not only real but transparent and sincere on the part of the Ministry.

“Those applying for a loan could receive as much as N30 million depending on the nature of the organisation applying. A Special Desk would be created in the Ministry to attend to issues pertaining to the loan.”

On his part, the Lagos State Chapter Coordinator of FTAN, Mr Gbenga Sunmonu earlier, promised that the Association will double its efforts to increase its contributions to the State’s GDP, create and recreate wealth through the promotion of domestic tourism and creation of volunteers for different aspects of Tourism.

“This Summit is designed not only to bridge the communication gap between all the identified agencies but a good opportunity for the agencies to showcase and advocate their expectations from industry players, have direct communication with the operators and make efforts to solve issues arising from the stakeholders.”

Other stakeholders in the Lagos State Tourism sector who spoke at the Summit also advocated strong public-private partnership as a needed synergy that would fast track investment into the sector and aid the rapid development of key tourism sites across the State.

The stakeholders comprise Hotel owners, tour operators, tour guides, investors, FTAN among others spoke at a Summit organised.

Recall that Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu approved 1 billion Naira as seed capital for the revival of the sector after the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemics on the practitioners of the tourism and hospitality industry operating in the State.

Suzan O