Taiwo Olawale
28 October 2008
Dutse — Determined to develop tourism into a viable part of its economic and social development plans for the state, the Jigawa state government has concluded arrangements to overhaul the tourism sector from 2009.
To this end, the state government is making provisions in the new budget now in the works, for the renovation and preservation of some of the sites identified as potential sources of tourist attraction in the state.
According to the Commissioner for Commerce, Muktari Mohammed, in an interview with THISDAY, the renovation and preservation of the sites would be the first steps towards making the state a major player in the tourism market in the country.
He said, "Jigawa has great tourism potentials. As is being done in all other sectors in Jigawa, we are making efforts to harness these potentials for socio-economic benefits. A comprehensive plan is in place for the overhaul and most of what is needed for the overhaul is being provided for in the 2009 budget."
The commissioner explained that as soon as the budget is processed and passed into law, the tourism potentials of the state would begin to crystallise.
He listed some of the tourism sites and potentials which would receive attention to include the Wawan Rafi sites in Kazaure, the Bird Sanctuary of Baturiya and the Rock paintings of Birnin Kudu.
Speaking on the Birnin Kudu rock paintings, one of the most popular sites in the state, Mohammed explained that the government would soon provide perimeter fence to protect the site while it looks into ways of making it more attractive to visitors.
And on the lack of access to the Baturiya bird sanctuary, he explained that a good access road is in the works and the provision of accommodation is being considered for tourists who would need to be at the sanctuary very early in the morning to see the birds take off.
He expressed confidence that with the planned investment in the sector, the state would soon begin to attract the right kind of attention to turn tourism into good business for the people and government of the state.
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