Rivers State Moves To Develop Tourism Sector

Israel Ngbuelo, the Rivers Commissioner for Culture and Tourism says the ministry has begun new collaborations aimed at opening investment opportunities in the tourism sector.

Ngbuelo made the disclosure in Opobo on Wednesday when he visited the Paramount Ruler of Opobo kingdom, King Dandison Jaja.

The commissioner said that the new partnerships would boost the internally generated revenue of the state.

He said that Rivers had several tourism potential that were tapped, saying,

“we have them in abundance across the 23 local government areas of the state”

Ngbuelo said that the Gov. Siminalaye Fubara-led government was committed to effectively harnessing the state’s tourism potential to boost its economy.

”It is difficult to talk about tourism development in the state without mentioning Opobo town.

“It has a natural ambience and an age-long cultural heritage capable of attracting investors to the state.

”We have also visited the Oyorokoto Fishing Settlement in Andoni, we are looking at modalities for tourism investments in that area,” he said.

In his response, Jaja commended the commissioner and his team for the visit, and promised to support every effort to harnness the tourism potential in the kingdom.

He commended the governor’s initiative towards developing tourism, and said that Opobo had cultural heritage capable of promoting the effort.

”We are ready to work with the government to enhance the Opobo International Festival which showcases boat race, regatta and other cultural displays,” he said.

Mr Enyaada Cookey-Gam, the Chairman, Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, also commended the state government for taking steps towards the development of tourism.

Cookey-Gam said that if optimally harnessed, tourism had the potential to address the challenges of unemployment

NAN