-as FCT Minister reiterates commitment to open up Abuja as a tourism destination, even as FTAN calls for investors in tourism destination development in Abuja to tender interests
By Renn Offor
The Nigerian tourism ministry has successfully hosted its second Presidential interim Committee on Tourism (PCT) with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, presiding over the meeting, all in its effort to eliminate the various limitations that has mitigated against the development of the tourism in the country even as several issues of concerns were raised.
A look at the outcome of the PCT meeting gives a glimpse of hope for the ailing tourism in the country.
Top among the issues raised was the question of Commercial Banks not giving tourism investors access to loans and where they manage to give, the issue of 28 per cent interest rate on short term.
The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele was not on seat to respond.
The issue of the tourism fund was also looked at. The Vice President was against any form of tourism levies but he maintained that the current $20 tourism levy which has been in place should be sustained and should be used for tourism development at low interest rates. The fund is already in operation for foreign tickets.
Mr. Tomi Akingbogun, President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) drew attention to “the need for stimulating domestic tourism of the country” when discussions seemed too focused on attracting foreign tourists; a gesture which the VP appreciated.
The Vice President also approved the participation of “FTAN in the committee on ease of doing business in Nigeria”, even as he gave nods to efforts geared towards tourism destination development in the country.
Alhaji Muhammad Musa Bello, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) who was also in attendance, in his remarks requested to be inundated with all past documents on the obstacles that had hindered the development of tourism destinations in Abuja.
The minister went on to promise that he “is committed to open Abuja up for investors”.
Mr. Akingbogun, went to the call for papers from people who have interest in tourism investment in Abuja to come up. He extended the call to especially those who might have rejected projects in the past.
“We are focusing on National children’s zoo, Abuja, Jabi lake and any other low hanging fruits,” the FTAN President explained.
According to him, all papers should be soonest to the FTAN email: ftansecretariat@yahoo.com.
