The Niger State Government on Thursday disclosed that it is working out a concessional agreement with a Canada-based tourism developer for the development of Gurara Waterfalls, with the potentials of creating over 2,000 jobs for its people.
While speaking at an event to mark this year’s World Tourism Day at the Gurara waterfalls, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Jonathan Tsado Vatsa, stated that another tourism industry firm from South Africa has also indicated interest in partnering with the government to develop the falls and other tourism sites in the state
According to Vatsa: “The Canada based tourism developer and promoter, Mohammed Sani-Abu of the Festival of Africa and Caribbean Culture, has opened discussions with the government to develop towards developing tourism sites in the state, including Gurara falls.
“And they have agreed to use local content and employ youths from the local communities around the sites.”
Vatsa assured the people that the government would give the necessary supports to all genuine investors who want to invest in the state.
Speaking in an interview with journalists, Sani-Abu described Gurara falls as a national asset that could generate lots of funds for the state if properly harnessed.
He said: “Our target is to create over 2,000 jobs for the local communities and the state when the site is fully developed, because there are job opportunities in 25 areas, including security, game reserves, agriculture, casinos, hotels and other hospitality areas.
“My vision is to transfer what I have seen in North America in terms of tourism sites to Niger State.
|There are many sites that look exactly like Gurara falls in North America that have been fully developed to become world tourist destinations.
“This is what I want to do in Niger State.
“For now, the Gurara falls is money wasting away and the state government needs to know that it can actually make lots of money, generate employment and promote the arts and culture of the people.”
Sani-Abu said further that as an indigene of Niger State who has 35 years experience in tourism promotion and development industry, he is duty bound to give back to his communities in whatever way he could.