By Wisdom Agbonta
After decades of half-hearted attention to the State’s most prized asset (the tourism sector) by previous governments, Governor Godwin Obaseki has set the stage for Edo people to harness the gains associated with the thousands of prized heritage objects scattered abroad, with the proposed N3 billion for the development of world class museums in Benin City, the State capital, in the 2023 Appropriation Bill.
The ground work for the development of the sector started with the launch of the Edo State Tourism Master Plan, a well thought-out document that will guide activities in the tourism sector, mainstream Edo into the global tourism community and open the window for more local and foreign investment in the sector.
Without a doubt, the tourism sector holds out many opportunities for residents of the State and Edo people in the Diaspora and is capable rekindling the economy through investment in support infrastructure such as roads, water, air and rail transportation, world class hotels, museums, conference centers, tourist sites and destinations and allied businesses.
This underscores why the Government of Edo State is very passionate about promoting the sector.
Since assuming office, the Obaseki-led administration has made tremendous accomplishments in establishing structures that have supported the Arts, Culture and Tourism sector such as the revamped Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium and mini-stadia for sports tourism, investment in the Benin Airport to ensure seamless air travels, investor-friendly climate that has attracted ride-hailing companies like Uber and Bolt, as well as the arrival of several hotel and fast-food brands and other related businesses in the State.
The 2023 proposed budget which is christened “Budget of Resilience and Transformation” according to the Governor, is informed by the need to build a resilient and sustainable foundation for the reforms, initiatives and programs that his administration has embarked on in the last six years.
Obaseki said on the floor of the Edo State House of Assembly that the strategic goal of his administration is to utilize arts, culture, tourism and entertainment as the catalyst to promote sustained investment across all sectors of the Edo economy.
At the launch of the tourism master plan, the State government noted that the tourism master plan is aimed at rebuilding the fundamentals of Edo’s economy by harnessing the potential of the heritage, arts and culture of the people.
The Governor explained that the tourism master plan has been completed to promote tourism and will be prioritizing the development of the cultural district.
Therefore, the State Government has made a provision of N2 billon to support the construction of the Benin Royal Museum, and N1 billion for the Benin Cultural District, which will catalyze activities in the sector.
In addition, the war against land-grabbing and the strengthening of the Edo State Security Network for better community policing and intelligence gathering is ongoing and will help in driving tourism in the State.
