The Abia State Government says it has started engaging with the Federal Ministry of Culture,Tourism and National Orientation, on how to refurbish the dilapidated tourism sites belonging to the Federal Government.
The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism and Entertainment, Justice Martins, popularly known as J.
Martins, made this known while interacting with newsmen in Umuahia on Tuesday.
The News Masters reports that the interaction was part of activities to mark World Tourism Day in 2023, which is celebrated on Sept. 27.
He said that the state government was keen on refurbishing those sites in the state, even if it meant the Federal Government maintaining some level of ownership.
Martins said that the state government was already in touch with the minister, adding that efforts were on towards achieving the set goal.
The popular singer said the major tourism sites including National War Museum, Umuahia, Ojukwu Bunker, Umuahia National Museum of History, Aba, and others being controlled by the Federal Government are in a sorry state.
According to him, we want to put them in order so that we can boldly tell the world that we have those sites in Abia.
Martins said that the government would work closely with investors to bring hospitality and leisure to the state as well as make it the number one tourism destination in the country.
He said that the government would build roads, infrastructure, security, electricity, others as well as creat jobs for the host communities.
Martins who described Dr Alex Otti as a fun-loving governor, said that the government would establish leisure parks in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia.
He said that the government would soon start certification of hotels in the state, stressing that part of the intention was to market those hotels to the world.
The entertainment crooner said that World Tourism Day serves as a reminder of the immense impact that tourism has on the world, both in terms of global connections and the local economy.
He said: “Under the leadership of His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti, Abia is positioned to drive a regional and national tourism growth.
“The government is poised to strive to position Abia as a safe destination of choice for quality entertainment, leisure and tourism.
“This little drop can already be seen in the lightning up of major Abia cities within the past few weeks and remedial works on connecting roads within the cities.”
He enjoined all, including the media, to join hands with the governor in rebuilding the state.
