Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson has described the decision of the Rwandan Government to collaborate with the State in harnessing its tourism potentials as a big boost to his administration’s plans to diversify the economy.
Governor Dickson stated this, while exchanging ideas with the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Habineza, who visited him at the Bayelsa House, Abuja.
The Governor, who was full gratitude to the Rwandan Government for the interest to collaborate with the State, explained that, Government was already undertaken a number of projects that will support a thriving tourism industry, noting that, Government was ready to develop the State through viable international and local partnerships.
Represented by the Chief of Staff, Bayelsa House, Abuja, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, he highlighted the proposed deep seaport at Agge in Ekeremor Local Government Area and the airport as projects designed to boost tourism and other business activities in the State.
He also used the opportunity to enumerate some of the tourism potentials of the State to include the rich culture of the people, the Whiteman’s Grave, United African Company’s edifice at Akassa and the sea at Brass with natural waterfalls and waves which empty into the Atlantic Ocean as well as other rivers, creeks, beaches and mangrove forest spread around the State.
Also in attendance was the SSA to the Governor on National Assembly Liaison, Mr. Preye Dressman. The Rwanda Government has asked the Bayelsa State Government to explore its potentials in other sectors of the economy, while also commending the efforts of Hon. Seriake Dickson at repositioning the State’s economy through diversification from oil and gas.
Giving the advice during a visit to the Bayelsa House, Abuja, the Rwandan High Commissioner, Mr. Joseph Habineza stated that unlike Nigeria, Rwanda has no crude oil and gas resources, but depends basically on tourism to power its economy.
He noted that despite the existence of the black gold, Bayelsa State and indeed Nigeria should explore their potentials in other alternative sectors.
According to him, the policy focus of Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in the non-oil and gas sectors is laudable, and could further be boosted by more international collaborations to achieve targets.
Mr. Habineza expressed the Rwandan Government’s readiness to have bilateral arrangements with the Bayelsa State Government, especially in the tourism sector in which the State has comparative advantage.
He urged Governor Dickson to keep faith with the administration’s programmes intended to diversify the State’s economy, noting that it was a viable strategy to develop the State and its people.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
14/11/2013
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