The Akwa Ibom government says it has approved N900 million annually for the maintenance of tourism facilities in the state.

The commissioner for culture and tourism, Anieti Udofia, disclosed this during a media briefing on Friday in Uyo.

“More than N900 million is approved annually for the maintenance of tourism facilities, including golf courses, Unity Park, Ibom Plaza, Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort,” he said.

Mr Udofia said the state government was pursuing an integrated tourism strategy anchored on infrastructure development, destination marketing, cultural promotion and private-sector participation.

He identified the ARISE Palm Resort as one of the state government’s tourism projects, describing it as the transformation of an erosion-prone area into a major tourism facility.

Mr Udofia said the facility hosted the state banquet on September 23 and was expected to be inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu later in the year.

He said the Ibom International Hotel and Convention Centre was nearing completion, while the state government was undertaking interventions at major tourism facilities, including Unity Park and Ibom Plaza.

“Unity Park is undergoing further development, including the expansion of walkways, construction of Ibom Kitchen and additional toilet facilities, installation of a sub-power station and renovation of its museum,” he said.

Mr Udofia said maritime infrastructure was also being developed to support both transportation and tourism, with ferry services planned to connect Uyo and Calabar.

He added that the ongoing construction of the ARISE Shopping Mall behind the Convention Centre was designed to complement tourism and commercial activities around the Tropicana environment.

The commissioner said the complete renovation of the Ibom Hotel and Golf Resort had also been approved, with electrical and furnishing works forming part of the project.

He noted that the establishment of a full-fledged tourism commission, following the signing of the enabling law, would strengthen regulation of the hospitality industry and improve standards.

Mr Udofia said the state government was implementing destination-marketing initiatives and working with private-sector partners to increase tourism footfall, while efforts were underway to identify and preserve tourism sites. 

(NAN)