Bauchi — The Federal Government has pledged to support development of tourism sites nationwide, as part of efforts to reposition the agricultural and tourism sectors toward attaining its Seven-point Agenda.

Minister of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Senator Bello Gada, who said this in Bauchi, shortly after an inspection visit to Yankari Game Reserve, said "the Federal Government would accord tourism the necessary impetus it deserves, so that it would add to the country's main source of revenue as currently obtained in countries such as South Africa, Egypt and Morocco, which depend solely on the sector."

He described the economic meltdown as a blessing in disguise, arguing that the crash in the world financial market had gingered government at all levels to explore other sources of revenue, to reduce total dependence on oil. Gada recalled the positive impact of both agriculture and tourism to the nation's development before the discovery of oil, and expressed regrets that both sectors were neglected, saying the situation must be reverted.

He commended Bauchi State Governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, for his huge investment in tourism, assuring that the Federal Government would soon announce a package to complement his efforts on tourism.

Responding, the state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Babayo Gamawa, stressed the urgent need to diversify the economy to make dependence on oil less attractive.

Gamawa, who expressed the state government's willingness to partner the Federal Government in the development of agriculture and tourism, said all staff of former Yankari National Park have been absorbed into the state civil service.