By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
Akwa Ibom state government has said that plans are underway to develop, redevelop, sanitize and expand existing tourist centres in the state in order to reinvigorate the tourism sector in the state.
It has also said that its last Christmas carnival held in 2018 attracted more than 1.5 million visitors to the Christmas village in Uyo.
Commmissioner for Tourism Mr Orman Esin told correspondents in Uyo yesterday that plans have already been concluded to expand and redevolope Ibom Plaza and Unity Park, two major tourist centres in Uyo that have witnessed dwindling fortunes in recent times.
Esin who expressed regret over the deteriorating condition of the plaza and increase in criminals activities in the facility said that his ministry would soon submit a memo to the State Executive Council on expansion, redevopement of the plaza while the termination illegal trading activities there would be done in such a way inorder not to destroy the businesses and income of traders already there.
“Across the bridge is the park where people parked their vehicles climb over the bridge to the other side. The idea now is that you can not access this place except you are coming through mall . At the back of the mall you have a sit out . This is how we are going to remodel the plaza.
“The car park we have there already will be expanded into the land where the old Uyo market used to be. The idea is for people to park their cars there and walk across the bridge into the mapped and then to where they can relax with their families.” The commissioner explained.
He said that perimeter fencing of the Unity Park remained a priority in order to provide security and ensure the safety of tourists with the ultimate aim to seek for a private investor on the two tourist centres.
The commissioner further said the Ibom LeMeridian Hotels has witnessed a boost with a new management even as the hotel for the first time since inception remitted N200 million to the state government as annal profit.
On the annual Christmas carnival, Essien maintained that though the event has proved successful in recent times, government was being cautious of the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and the recent EndSARS protest in the country and would soon come out with a decision on the matter.
It would be recalled that a former Governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, who initiated and constructed the two facilities had called on the state government to do something urgent to sanitize the plaza and develop the Unity Park, housing the Ibibio museum and where the history of the peoples of the state is protected.
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