Gov. Otti Urged To Activate Tourist Potentials Of Imo River Source For Increase Revenue

The people of Umudike Community in Umuaku Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia have appealed to Abia state government under the leadership of Governor Alex Otti to develop the Imo River Source and make it a tourist attraction to enhance the revenue generation capacity of the state.

This call was made by the Chief Priest of the community Nze Comos when the Abia Tour Adventure Trip crew led by the Executive Director and founder of Oladayco Exquisite Concepts and Logistics Limited Mrs Onyekachi Onyekachi Atulomah Loveday visited the popular Imo River Source.

Nze Comos said that the Imo River Source is a tourist site that could serve as an alternative source of revenue to the State and the country if developed and well-tapped.

He expressed regret that several attempts were made by previous administrations both in Old Imo and present Abia State without success.

The chief priest said if developed, the site would play host to the whole world and bring development to the area.

Tourism is a social, cultural, and economic phenomenon that entails the movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for personal business or professional purposes.

It serves as a revenue source to both the local government area, States, and countries if well tapped.

Speaking earlier, the leader and facilitator of the Abia Tour Adventure Trip, Mrs Onyekachi Atulomah Loveday said that the purpose of the tour was to discover historical sites in Abia State in order to foster partnership that will increase revenue generation potential in the state.

Atulomah, a former General Manager of Abia Tourism Board said that there are huge economic fortunes in the tourism industry which the government has not really discovered or shown interest.

The former Tourism boss promised that she will make a strong case for the development of the Imo River Source as Tourism Attraction through Nigeria Tourism Development Authority (NTDA, National Commission for Museum and Monuments (NCMM), Abia State government and other relevant tourism development organizations.

Earlier, the Abia Tour Adventure Trip had paid a courtesy visit to the Ochi 1 of Isuochi His Royal Majesty Eze Godson Ironosi Ezekwesiri, to receive his blessings.

The Ochi 1 is said to be the oldest traditional ruler on throne in Abia State has served for 50 years as traditional ruler.

The Ochi 1 used the opportunity of the visit to enumerate various tourist attractions in local government to include, the largest bat colony, warm spring water, adding that the tallest Man know as Giant Alakuku was from Umunneochi which has earned them the name “Home Of Giants” .

The renowned traditional ruler used the opportunity to state that Umunneochi was now safe for investors and visitors alike, appreciating the governor of Abia State Dr Alex Otti and security agencies for their quick intervention in restoring peace and security in the local government.

Abia Tour Adventure trip and her crew also visited the popular Iyi Okoroafor waterfall, Umuogele Amuda Isuochi in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State where calls were made by the community through Amuda President General Comrade Burnley for government intervention.

The facilitator of Abia Tour Adventure Trip thanked Chief Kelvin Jombo, Mr Ifeanyi Okali, founder of ABNTV and RADIO, Tony Steve of Tonysteve360 studio, and Flo FM for their partnership.