Bayelsa state constitutes Tourism Advancement Committee

In its drive to boost tourism in Bayelsa State, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism Thursday constituted a 10-Man Strategic Committee on Culture and Tourism Advancement.

The committee, which has tourism practitioners, development experts, as well as a tourism and travel journalist, will be co-chaired by the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Iti Orugbani with Dr. John Idumange as alternate chairman.

Tourism journalist, Mr. Priye Kiyaramo, is to serve as secretary, while Bishop Mesiah Opusunju, Mr. Dickson Zuowei and Mr. Pius Waritimi are members.

Other members include, Mr. Eyinimi Omorozi, Mr. Solomon King, Mr. Findite Fente, Mr. Tonbara Subai and Lady Ebifamini Ikali.

Announcing the committee, Dr. Orugbani said among other benefits, the cultural and tourism sector, if well harnessed, would be a huge revenue earner to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the state.

The commissioner further stated that he has identified some challenges such as bureaucracy, lack of clear policy direction, non-active involvement of the private sector and poor stakeholders’ buy-in culture as factors militating against the growth of the tourism industry in the state.

“Therefore, in line with the prosperity agenda of the Senator Douye Diri-led administration, we are poised to overcome these challenges and chart a clear roadmap to reposition the tourism industry for full exploitation.

To achieve this aim, we have set up a strategic committee made up of people of high integrity, experience and specialism with passion and the right industry contacts and are ready to make sacrifices for the people and government of the state in the tourism sector.