Tourism

THE Lagos State House of Assembly has urged Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure the full implementation of the Tourism Law as passed by the House since 2018.

This followed debate on a motion during the plenary on Tuesday to commemorate the 2022 World Tourism Day.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that World Tourism Day is celebrated each year on Sept. 27 to spread awareness about the importance of tourism and its impact on the society.

The House urged the governor to direct the state’s Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, to create the Tourism Agency since it had already been established in the Tourism Law.

The Chairman, House Committee on Tourism Arts and Culture, Mr Fatai Oluwa, who raised the motion, said if this agency was established, it would encourage provision, improvement and marketing of tourism facilities in the state locally and internationally.

Oluwa noted that the purpose of 2022 celebration, themed ‘Rethinking Tourism’, was to focus on reviewing and redeveloping tourism after Coronavirus Pandemic.

The lawmaker said Lagos State being the Centre of Excellence, hopes to ensure that tourism potential is explored in every area of the state.

“The House of Assembly passed the Lagos State Tourism Agency Law 2018 to develop and promote the state tourism investment.

“This aims to enhance revenue generation for the State. Unfortunately, this Law is yet to be implemented,” he said.

In his contribution, the Deputy Majority Leader, Mr Noheem Adams, said the main objective of the World Tourism Day was to celebrate and sensitise the world on the long term planning and development of tourism.

Globally, Adams said tourism had been found to be lucrative and impact positively on the lives of the residents and users of tourist destinations.

He urged the government to pay more attention to tourism development in the state.

Also speaking, Mr Adewale Temitope noted that Lagos State had a lot of tourist sites.

He said these sites were tools for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and most countries had used tourism as sources of financing government.

On his part, Mr Victor Akande said tourism helped to create jobs and boost income generation.

Akande noted that through tourism, foreign investors could be attracted, thus creating economic value for the state.

The House had adjourned sitting till next Tuesday after a voice vote by members present. (NAN)

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Tags: Adewale Temitope Babajide Sanwo-Olu Fatai Oluwa Noheem Adams Victor Akande