Senate on Tuesday moved to split
the Federal Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in a bid to reposition
the Tourism sector towards earning optimum national income for the nation.
In a motion sponsored by Senator
Fatima Raji-Rasaki representing Ekiti Central Senatorial district, she
explained that Nigeria’s Culture and Tourism sector runs short of United
Nations standards as a result of unworkable policies of the Federal Government.
She regretted that the much
‘talked about economic diversification’ has not seen Culture and Tourism
becoming the economic hub and employment sector for the teeming youths.
“Aware of the importance and
potential contribution of tourism to Nigeria’s economic diversification and
creation of employment opportunities to the teeming youths and the recognition
of tourism”, Rasaki submitted.
She said the unbundling of the
Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism would provide effective
administration tourism sector.
Senator Mao Ohuabunwa on his part
stressed that it has become necessary for Senate’s intervention, saying, the
nation should learn from Gambia that has developed their beach into a tourist
centre with huge incomes.
“Mr. President, distinguished
colleagues, I support this motion especially as Nigeria is talking of
diversification. We have so many tourism resources and if go to Gambia, they
have been able to develop their beach, unfortunately for us in Nigeria, because
of oil we are not doing anything.”
Senator Gbenga Ashafa stressing
on the importance of tourism, said: “As we all know tourism is a major source
of national income and If you go to Dubai, they have developed their exomomy
through tourism.”
“Take example of Senator Ben
Bruce who has invested heavily in tourism, you discover that he is doing well.
If you look deeper, in Lagos where I come from, it is principally about
fishing. Nigeria can make tourism capital out of it and like Arugungu in Kebbi
State also.’
Barau Jibrin representing Kano
North said Nigeria can not have a robust economy of her dreams without a robust
Culture and Tourism.
“We need to have a robust and
sound economy and that is to say, we should have robustst and sound tourism
economy by having a workable tourism policy.”
“In the Ministry of information,
Culture and Tourism, we need to take away Culture and Tourism aspect for
effective administration of tourism sector.”
Senator Ben Bruce said
Information, Culture and Tourism was too big for a Minister to manage, stating
that Mr. Lai Mohammed may be busy defending the FG, while Tourism sector should
be privately driven.
“Mr. President, distinguished
Colleagues, Information should be isolated from Culture and Tourism while the
Culture and Tourism should be privately driven,” he maintained.
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