NTDC SEEKS PARTNERSHIP OF FCT ON GREEN CITY PROJECT Wale Ojo-Lanre jThe Director General, Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation, (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo, has disclosed the commission’s intention of turning Abuja into a foremost tourist’s destination desirable to all Nigerians and foreigners. Mrs Mbanefo who made this known last Thursday in Abuja while on official visit to the Minister of State, Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide said “we are re-energising our efforts and oiling our strategy at getting the best out of Abuja through our domestic tourism initiative.” She described Abuja as “Nigeria’s city of pride. Abuja is the cynosure of all eyes in Africa . It is a city set on the hill which cannot be hidden from the eyes of the world. We, the FCT and NTDC therefore, as the light bearers of this great city, have the singular and onerous responsibility of ensuring that we do everything humanly positively possible to make the city not only maintain its radiance, but to continue to glow brightly for all to see its glory and attract visitors in droves.” Mrs Mbanefo revealed “We at NTDC consider the transformation of Abuja into a mega metropolis as a collective job of FCT and NTDC which is the federal agency charged with the development and tourism promotion in Nigeria . It is on this note that we decided to pay you a visit, rub minds, share with you our plans and tie the relationship of constructive and development engagement on Abuja our city of pride.” She informed the FCT Minister “We have seen the giant strides and efforts which your ministry has been taking and making at improving on what you met on ground. This is not only commendable but should prick the conscience of other agencies and parastatals at looking into areas where they can add value to all what you are doing.” Mrs Mbanefo revealed “We at NTDC have evolved the Abuja Green City Project, (AGCP). This project entails the creation of a tourism site where we will showcase what make Nigeria the best tourism country in Africa. The city will not only be built from waste collected from Abuja and its environs but will also generate 25 thousand jobs.We strongly believe that with this project which we hereby seek FCT collaboration on will go a long way at adding value and reinforcing the progress and development so far made. This is our mission here this day.” Mrs Mbanefo stated that the Abuja Green City is all about “conversion of waste to wealth, revenue generation and wealth creation. We want to showcase to all the ingenuity of how the waste in Abuja can be turned to gold. FCT is a land of opportunity and we are trying to convert our waste to wealth, by developing tourism sector to generate more earning and create more jobs. I believed that as a commission, we have no right to carry out any significant project without tabling it before you, seeking your advice and support about everything we are about to do in the city. This is why your collaboration is necessary and highly important.” And we observed in the past that there is not much level of relationship between NTDC and FCT and we do believe that it should not be like that.” The NTDC boss who frowned at the way people described Abuja as a conference centre said “We are tired of hearing people say Abuja as a city is only a conference centre which is obvious to everyone. We want to progress the transformation agenda of tourism sector through a collaboration with your ministry in making the capital city of most populous nation in Africa continent-Abuja a foremost tourism destination.” In her response, the Minister of State for FCT Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide commended the commitment, innovation, proactiveness and passion with which Mrs Mbanefo has been steering the canoe of NTDC since her appointment “I must commend you for your passion and proactive display of sense of responsibility since your appointment. You have diverted the attention of the public to that corporation and made it more visible on national discourse. Your vision about domestic tourism is apt and proper and I assure you of absolute cooperation and support.” Oloye Akinjide also commended Mrs Mbanefo for the AGCP which she said would be an additional attraction to the grandeur and majesty of the city. “I am happy that someone is thinking right. I am impressed that a parastatal is thinking out of the box at shoring up the beauty of Abuja and in utilising the loads of waste and turning it to wealth. This is commendable. On this, ‘Madam DG’ you have my absolute support and we are ready to collaborate.” Oloye Akinjide remarked that though the Supreme Court judgment has relieved NTDC of the responsibility of hotel registration, grading and classification and bestowed it on the state , “that will not preclude us from tapping and enlisting your expertise and professional competence where and when necessary.” She tasked NTDC to organise forum and shows which should be avenues of showcasing the authentic African values and sartorial uniqueness. “ Not that we showcase these alone, but document the various traditions and authentic African hair styles for our children and unborn generations.” Oloye Akinjide who lauded Mrs Mbanefo’s efforts at carrying along members of the private and public sectors emphasised on the fact that tourism is largely a private sector-driven concern but” I am happy you are doing well on this and I believe you have to do more for the benefit of the sector.”
Posted on: Wed, 19 Mar 2014 07:51:42 +0000
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