The Cross River State Authorities has initiated building on a N4 billion leisure centre at Tortugal Island, Marina Resort, Calabar, aimed toward enhancing the state’s tourism sector and income streams.
Ojoi Ekpenyong, Managing Director of the Cross River Tourism Bureau, said this throughout an interview with the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday.
Ekpenyong famous that the undertaking, pushed by personal sector funding, is a strategic transfer to reinvigorate the state’s tourism enchantment.
“The leisure centre, as soon as accomplished, is anticipated to create roughly 250 everlasting jobs, with about 700 employees concerned in its building and growth phases,” Ekpenyong said.
The ability will characteristic a variety of sights, together with lounges catering to totally different buyer segments, a youngsters’s arcade, and facilities for water sports activities actions.
Ekpenyong emphasised the undertaking’s potential to attract worldwide guests, positioning it as a key asset in restoring Cross River’s repute as a number one hospitality vacation spot.
“This undertaking isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about reclaiming our identification as a state recognized for its hospitality. We count on the centre to generate no less than N10 million each day, which is able to considerably enhance the native economic system,” he added.
Along with the leisure centre, Ekpenyong revealed that plans are in movement to concession the Qua Falls resort in Akamkpa to a non-public operator, aiming to reinforce the location’s financial viability.
“Qua Falls is an ecotourism asset, and we’re finalizing discussions with a non-public entity to handle and develop the power,” he stated.
What to know
These initiatives are a part of a broader technique by Cross River State to draw funding and tourism, leveraging its wealthy pure and cultural sources.
The leisure centre and the Qua Falls concession are seen as pivotal in positioning the state as a number one vacation spot for each home and worldwide vacationers.
In a associated growth, the development of the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Freeway started in March 2024.
The undertaking, awarded to Hitech Development Firm Restricted, is being executed beneath an Engineering, Procurement, Development, and Financing (EPC+F) association. This mannequin shifts a lot of the undertaking dangers onto the contractor, whereas the federal authorities offers counterpart funding.
The primary section of the freeway, spanning 47.7 kilometers from Eko Atlantic to Eleko in Lagos State, marked the graduation of the undertaking. In Could 2024, Works Minister David Umahi introduced that building within the South-South states of Akwa Ibom and Cross River would begin following the completion of the procurement course of.
The freeway’s building will progress concurrently throughout numerous sections, with deliberate begins in Sections 3B and 4 in Akwa Ibom, and Part 3A in Cross River.
Furthermore, the 477-kilometer Calabar-Southeast-North Central-Apo Abuja Superhighway is ready to attach Calabar to Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa States, culminating in Apo, Abuja.
These infrastructure developments are anticipated to enhance Cross River’s tourism initiatives, enhancing connectivity and additional boosting the state’s financial prospects.
