News Agency of Nigeria
Gov. Otu injects N18bn into Cross River tourism

Gov. Otu injects N18bn into Cross River tourism

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By Akpan Glory

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has approved the release of N18 billion to boost tourism infrastructure and reposition the state as a leading destination in Nigeria and West Africa.

The state government said the fund would be used for the rehabilitation and upgrade of key tourism assets, including the Obudu Mountain Resort, Kwa Falls, Marina Resort, and the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism Development, Mr Thomas Ikpeme, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Ikpeme said the investment forms part of the administration’s tourism transformation agenda under the “Season of Sweetness” initiative.

According to him, the state will launch “Experience Calabar” tours and set up a Heritage Market to promote arts, crafts and local culture.

“A key component of this initiative is the government’s strategic investment in Axari Towers.

“This will guarantee the hosting of major events and increase bed capacity in the state as it prepares for the 20th Anniversary of the Christmas Festival & Carnival Calabar this December.

“This move is expected to stimulate the local economy, create jobs, attract global tourists, and deepen private sector involvement in the tourism and hospitality value chain”.

The adviser added that the government had acquired two CRJ 1000 aircraft to complement the existing Boeing 737s operated by the state-owned airline, Cally Air, in partnership with Aero Contractors and ValueJet.

He also said that the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC) and the Calabar Cultural Centre were undergoing upgrades to attract conferences and business events to the state.

Otu said the initiative was aimed at creating jobs, attracting investments, and promoting local culture through tourism.

“This is not just an investment in infrastructure; it is an investment in our people, our culture, and our future,” the governor was quoted as saying.

The government said the initiative would improve access, accommodation, and activities across the state, while also enhancing human capacity and community-based tourism. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

FG, partners unveil 20m capacity fish hatchery in Cross River

FG, partners unveil 20m capacity fish hatchery in Cross River

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By Christian Njoku

The Federal Government in collaboration with development partners has established a model fish hatchery in Calabar, Cross River, to accelerate pisciculture and food security in the country.

The hatchery is designed with an annual 20 million fingerlings production capacity, a fully functional laboratory, classrooms and a research centre.

The facility was jointly funded by the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Cross River Government, and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Others include the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project for the Niger Delta (LIFE ND), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Feed the Future Project, among other private sector collaborators.

Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, who inaugurated the facility on Thursday, said that apart from adding to food security, it would also serve as a hub for employment and income generation for youths and women in the aquaculture subsector.

“The South-South region holds a significant position as Nigeria’s oil and fishery hubs, motivating the provision of this facility to build the capacity of fish farmers and enhance productivity through research activities.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu is committed to advancing the nation’s agri-food system through technology and innovation for job creation, youth empowerment, and poverty reduction,” he said.

Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River, said that the model fish hatchery project was conceptualised to address the challenges of unavailability and inaccessibility of juveniles, which were identified as impediments to fish farming.

Represented by Mr Johnson Ebokpo, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Otu said the production of fish feeds at low cost would bring down cost of production.

According to him, it will also enhance sales and bring additional profit to fish farmers.

He appreciated Kyari for providing conducive environment for all the interventions the state had received from foreign organisations.

Mr Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator, LIFE ND, described the project as a testament to effective collaboration, adding that it would encourage youths to embrace agriculture in the Niger Delta.

Sanni noted that while the project was expected to create jobs, wealth and enhace food security in the Niger Delta and Nigeria, it would also revolutionise aquaculture in the state.

Also, Dr Ben Odoemena, Chief of Party, USAID Feed the Future Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services, said 20 million juveniles stood for about N1.6 billion that would be injected into the economy of Cross River annually.

Odoemena said if properly maintained, conservatively, the hatchery would inject about N60 billion into the state  economy annually. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Benson Ezugwu and Peter Amine

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