In a bid to boost its Internal Generated Revenue(IGR), the Oyo state government on Wednesday declared its intention to explore the potentials of tourism in the state.
Speaking while receiving delegations of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) led by its National President, Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, the Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Tourism, Hon. Akeem Ademola Ige said the state government is working to ensure that the state is conducive for tourism business.
Hon. Ige while receiving the NANTA delegations alongside Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Makinde, Prof. Musibaudeen Adetunji Babatunde said the state is celebrating the recent award bagged by governor Makinde
as the best performing governor in the area of Security and youths empowerment.
He noted that the award lends credence to the fact that the governor is putting in efforts within his capacity to ensure safety and security for local and foreign investors in the state.
He also stressed that the state government under the leadership of Governor Seyi Makinde felt the pulse of the NANTA during the heat of the Covid 19 pandemic which resulted in a relief of 75% reduction of tax payment by the agency to the state government purse.
Ige noted that Oyo state is blessed with tourist attraction sites saying that governor Makinde’s administration will ensure that all untapped potentials in the tourism sector will receive the government’s attention with a view to generating revenue for both the government and stakeholders in tourism sector.
He urged members of the agency to tap into the natural ambience of Ado Awaye Lake and turn it into a profitable venture for the state and themselves.
He also called on the association to woo tourists from different part of the world in order to boost the economic capacity of the state.
Hon. Ige also appealed to the delegation to work within their capacity to flush out fake and dubious characters who are defrauding unsuspecting members of the public by going about parading themselves as travel agents.
In his contributions, Prof. Musibaudeen Babatunde said Engr. Seyi Makinde led government is currently working on the economic expansion of the state.
He further said that no economy can develop in an atmosphere of insecurity as the government is doing everything to support the association.
“We are also working on the infrastructure aspect to make sure that the state regain it is lost glory in all ramifications, I promised you that Governor Makinde will give your association all the necessary supports needed to make your business thrive and I believed also that this will enhance the economic growth of the state because we have seen the potentials in tourism sector and we are ready to tap it to boost our IGR. Prof. Babatunde said.
Earlier in her address, the National President of NANTA, Mrs. Susan who was accompanied by Erelu Funmi Rotiba and other members of the agency, appreciated efforts and commitment of Governor Seyi Makinde led administration in promoting and creating an enabling environment for tourism sector to develop.
She used the opportunity to plead for logistics vehicle and a befitting zonal headquarters for the NANTA members.
She said the Headquarters will be a training ground for interested upcoming youths that love to venture in travel and tour business saying that it is important to train the youths that have interest of the job at heart than promoting quackery.
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