Abia Seeks Partnership With NTDC

By Chinedu Kalu
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An appeal has gone to the Director General of the National Tourism Development Corporation to make an indepth study of the tourism sites in Abia state with a view to marketing them outside.

Governor TA Orji made the plea at the Government house, Umuahia when he received the Director General of the National Tourism Development corporation, Mrs. Sally Uwaechue Mbanefo.

He said that Abia state is center of tourism in Nigeria as there are many cultural sites in the state that need to be explored.

The Governor said tourist sites in the state such as the Azumini blue River, the Long juju of Arochukwu, the Amakama cave among other sites are tourist potentials that abound in the state for exploration.

He said that tourists from within and outside the state are attracted to the Azumini blue River even without it being developed,adding that because of commercial activities that go on there, the state is planning to build a sea port in the area.

Chief Orji assured the DG that Abia is a peaceful and hospitable place with rich cultural values.

He stated that the proposed Easter cantata being organized by the state government is meant to showcase the rich Abia culture.

In her speech, Mrs. Sally Uwaechue Mbanefo said as the chief tourism officer of Nigeria, she was advocating domestic tourism which aim at encouraging Nigerians to visit tourist sites within the country rather than travelling outside.

She said this was aimed at empowering the grassroots as well as creating jobs for the youths and reducing urban migration.

Mrs. Mbanefo said her visit to the state was to encourage Abia to collaborate with the federal government on how to make the state a tourism site for Nigeria and expressed delight with the tourist attractions in the state.