The Rivers State government has reiterated its intention to boost tourism potential of the State .
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of culture and tourism, Barrister Tomonialadieokuma Ishmael stated this at a one day Discover Bonny ” Stakeholders Dialogue” organized by the Bonny Chamber of Commerce in Finima Bonny local government area.
Barrister Ishmael said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciated the socio-cultiral and economic potential of tourism, which informed his decision to create road to Bonny in order to ensure that blue economy is guaranteed.
According to him, Bonny is peaceful ” as a government we will ensure we push tourism potential of Bonny to the world, bearing in mind that it will boost the IGR of the State,” he said.
” Keep singing the song of Bonny, media campaign should be sustained, Bonny is safe, and can now be assessed through air, sea and land “
He however said his observations would be communicated to the Governor and assured he will comply to the benefit of Bonny Kingdom.
The Head of Bonny Council of Chiefs ,Se Alabo Dagogo Wilcox represented by Se Alabo Abel Affoni in his remarks emphasized that Bonny has a lot of potentials to be showcased to the World
Also speaking the President of Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Mrs Constance Nwokejiobi stressed the need for Stakeholders to come together to support the tourism ecosystem of Bonny.
Mrs Nwokejiobi said Bonny has a vision to transform Bonny with the connecting islands within into a global premium tourism hub.
She explained that the Stakeholders Dialogue is the second phase of the programme powered by the Bonny Chamber of Commerce,.which intends to bring hoteliers and other Stakeholders together to ensure that it succeeds.
On his own part the Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council Comrade Paul Bazia -Nsaneh said the NUJ will deploy various platforms to ensure proper reportage of tourism.
Paul Bazia -Nsaneh said more trainings would be organized for Journalists, particularly those who cover the tourism beat so they can be abreast with coverage of events that are tourism related as regards Bonny to ensure it’s potentials are showcased to the world.
” Reorientation of journalists is paramount, they require capacity development for better performance”
Stakeholders at the panel agreed that all hands must be on deck to ensure that the tourism potentials of the Bonny Island are projected to the World.
Participants at Panel include , the Permanent Secretary Ministry of culture and tourism, Barrister Tomonialadieokuma Ishmael, Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council Comrade Paul Bazia -Nsaneh, Dr Emi Membre- Otaji, Ambassador Phil Roberts, with the President of Bonny Chamber of Commerce Mrs Constance Nwokejiobi as the moderator.
The programme with the theme: Bonny Island Transforming into a Premier Global Tourism Destination has NUJ , Renaissance Africa Energy company and NLNG as partners.
E-signed
Ijeoma Tubosia Ph.D
Secretary NUJ Rivers State Council