The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will invest in tourism development as part of efforts to diversify the region’s economy and reduce its dependence on oil and gas.

The Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this in a statement by the commission’s director of corporate affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, and made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Ms Thompson-Wakama stated that Mr Ogbuku made the pledge at the Bonny Island Tourism and Investment Summit, organised by theBonny Island Tourism and Investment Summit,.

The summit, themed “Bonny Island: Transforming into a Premier Global Destination,” focused on developing tourism as a new economic pillar for the kingdom.

Mr Ogbuku, represented by the director of commercial and industrial development, Lyna Okara, said the “Discover Bonny and Orange Economy” initiative would drive economic transformation.

He said the NDDC would support the three-year strategic programme to transform Bonny kingdom and the Niger Delta region into a globally competitive tourism destination.

“This initiative would promote enterprise development, attract investment and create sustainable economic opportunities for both people of Bonny and the Niger Delta,” Mr Ogbuku said.

He explained that tourism is not limited to the hospitality sector but had broader implications for security, communication, finance, education, health and sustainable economic growth.

He commended BCCIMA for mobilising capital, supporting innovation and creating opportunities for entrepreneurs and emerging businesses in Bonny and the region.

“For decades, when the world thought of Bonny, it thought of what was under the water, not what was on top of it.

“Oil and gas built roads, schools and jetties that still put food on tables. Today, Bonny is finding a new path through tourism,” he said.

The NDDC boss said the commission remained committed to sustainable development, economic empowerment, infrastructure, human capital development, and inclusive prosperity across the Niger Delta.

According to him, the commission will continue to partner with economic development institutions and private investors to empower youths, support start-ups and unlock new economic opportunities.

Mr Ogbuku said the NDDC would also support initiatives that promote enterprise growth and strengthen private-sector participation in the region.

In a speech, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, Olayiwola Awakan, said Bonny Island is blessed with numerous tourism attractions waiting to be developed.

Mr Awakan said that private-sector participation was essential to ensure that Bonny’s tourism economy remained commercially viable and did not depend solely on government funding.

In a remark, BCCIMA president Constance Nwokejiobi said the Orange Economy initiative would complement Bonny’s traditional oil and gas economy with a sustainable tourism industry.

Ms Nwokejiobi said the initiative would leverage the kingdom’s cultural heritage, historical sites, natural attractions and hospitality potential to attract tourists and investors.

She said that plans included establishing a tourism concierge platform, an investor partnership framework and a privately driven tourism centre.

“Tourism is Nigeria’s Orange Economy, a creative and service-driven growth engine, capable of diversifying and expanding our national gross domestic product beyond oil and gas,” she said.

The traditional ruler of Grand Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Pepple III, said Bonny had a proud history and remained endowed with oil and gas resources.

Mr Pepple said tourism could provide a second, more sustainable economic pillar for the kingdom, while creating opportunities for residents.

He also said Bonny’s existing oil and gas investments had contributed significantly to Nigeria’s economy.

(NAN)