The Federal Government said President Muhammadu Buhari administration has spent $9 billion on the building of infrastructure across the country.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, stated this during a press briefing in Abuja Sunday to herald the 61st Meeting of the UNWTO-CAF, which is due to start today and run through Wednesday, June 6, 2018.
The minister contended that whatever pockets of criminal acts that existed were being addressed squarely, insisting that ‘four years ago, hosting this event in Abuja would have been a pipe dream, considering the level of insecurity.
He said, ‘‘Nigeria is safe and secure for its citizens and for foreign tourists and investors. Whatever pocket of criminal acts exist are being addressed squarely. Four years ago, hosting this event in Abuja would have been a pipe dream, considering the level of insecurity, noting ”Remember that Boko Haram carried out many deadly attacks in this capital city. That is now history.”
He explained that the increased infrastructural development had helped improved the rate of foreign investors coming into the country, adding that 166 foreign delegates, 26 ministers and 332 Nigerian delegates have confirmed their attendance.
He said this has led to Nigeria’s ranking as the 24th globally on the ease of doing business, especially with visa processes, which had been made easier for investors.
“All the necessary preparations have been made to ensure this. The main committee and the many sub-committees are working tirelessly to make this event a huge success. We also expect an impressive attendance.
”As at today, we have confirmation from 166 foreign delegates, 26 ministers and 332 Nigerian delegates, excluding the gentlemen of the press. Several delegates have arrived and many more are expected in today,” he said.
He noted that the theme of the meeting, ” Tourism Statistics: A Catalyst for Development”, fits well into Nigeria’s quest to improve on its tourism statistics for planning purposes and the ultimate development of its tourism.
Mohammed thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his invaluable support, without which this event would not have been possible.
In his remarks, Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization, UNWTO, promised that the organization would help Nigeria and Africa develop their culture and tourism industry.
Pololikashvili, who listed easy access to visa, investment, connectivity and, sound aviation system as some of the key drivers of tourism, said tourism had huge potential to generate enduring development opportunities in Nigeria and Africa, if managed well.
He described Africa as UNWTO’s top priority in the area of tourism and investment promotion.
According to him, some of the top agenda of the UNWTO for Africa include poverty alleviation, climate change, education and skills development and financing. “There are broad impact of tourism for the benefit of societies and its people, and promoting tourism as a priority in national agendas,
The UNWTO Secretary-General commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration for keying into tourism as one of the sectors for economic diversification.
He said tourism was gaining weight as a development opportunity for the whole continent, with its vast diversity of nature, culture and its greatest vehicle for development.
‘‘We will assist Nigeria and Africa to develop their culture and tourism industry. There are broad impact of tourism for the benefit of societies and its people, and promoting tourism as a priority in national agenda.
‘‘I think by making visa easy, attracting investment, connectivity and good aviation system are some of the factors that drive tourism development,’’ he said.
It will be recalled that Nigeria, last year, won the right to host UNWTO-CAF conference, which is the gathering of all African Ministers of Tourism, principal executives of the global tourism body and other stakeholders in the tourism sector.
Pololikashvili said Nigeria had lots of tourism potentialities to show to the world, adding that the meeting would serve as a platform to showcase the country as continental tourism hub.
