Anambra to make Ogbunike, Ogbaukwu Caves tourist destinations

The Anambra Government says it has concluded plans to develop the infrastructure at the Ogbunike and Ogbaukwu Caves and raise them to international standard to make them tourist destinations.
James Eze, the Chief Press Secretary to Anambra Governor, Willie Obiano, made this known to the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka on Thursday.
Eze said that tourism had the potential of boosting the state internally generated revenue, adding that government was investing in the sector.
He said that the well-planned package for the growth of tourism in the state would yield revenue for the state and develop the host communities.
The chief press secretary said that the state would tap the potentials of tourism and create jobs for its teeming youths through the sector.
NAN reports that the Ogbunike Cave in Oyi Local Government Area of the state is located in a valley blanketed by tropical rain forest.
The collection of caves has been in use over centuries by local people for whom it has particular spiritual significance.
This spiritual significance is still apparent as the “Ime Ogba” celebration is undertaken every year to commemorate the discovery of the caves.
Descending into the valley where the caves are located is a lengthy walkway made up of about 317 steps constructed by the state government in the mid-1990s.
The main cave consists of a massive structure with a big open chamber of about five metre high, 10 metre wide and 30 metre long at the entrance.
It has ten tunnels at the main chamber leading to different directions and is occupied by a large colony of bats of various sizes.
The Ogbaukwu cave and waterfall in Owerre-Ezukala, Orumba South Local Government Area of the state is a naturally carved rock formation in the form of an arena.
It covers a large dry and sandy area which forms a natural beach around the Ogba waterfall.
He said the governor had also approved the construction of concrete footpath to the heart of the caves to make them accessible to tourists.
The chief press secretary said that Obiano had approved the construction of the roads to the cave.
He said that the Ojukwu Bunker in Amork community in Ihiala would also be developed for tourism purposes.
He said that the Team Light–up Anambra would ensure the installation of street lights on roads leading into the caves and Ojukwu bunker.
Eze added that Anambra was blessed with lots of historic sites like the Igbo-Ukwu excavation centre, Nri ancestral kingdom and Obu gad, among others.
He said that two 30-seater buses would operate shuttle services to the tourism locations to make visitors have safe access to the sites.
The CPS called on the residents to cultivate the habit of relaxation and excursion to appreciate the gifts of nature in the state.
He urged the residents to key into the development mission of the present administration so as to reap the dividend of democracy.