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With N3.5b, Nasarawa Plans To Turn Farin Ruwa Waterfalls To Tourism Nest - Travel - Nairaland

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With N3.5b, Nasarawa Plans To Turn Farin Ruwa Waterfalls To Tourism Nest by LePhilippe(m): 1:23am On Feb 25, 2007
The Nasarawa State government’s initiative to diversify the economic base of the state and tap the abundance of nature to make life better has started working. Under the supervision of the National Tourism Masterplan, the Farin Ruwa Tourism Project is laudable to say the least.

Farin Ruwa (white snow) Eco-Tourism Resort project in Nasarawa State is no doubt a gigantic project and endowment from nature to the state. That blessing from nature is what the state government has discovered and intends to tap for the good of the state. It will be a source of great economic revival for Nasarawa as it plans to sink N3.5b to make the waterfall a source of revenue in job creation and means of relaxation for fun seekers.

Discovering nature’s wonders
Dr. Franklin Adejuwon, the Project Director captured the plan as follows: "This a masterplan whose time has come. For too long our tourist potentials have been under-utilized. Farin Ruwa will re-invent Nasarawa State and by extension, Nigeria as a major tourist destination when completed."
The falls are a beauty to behold and breathtaking. Tumbling down 150 metres, it is a cascade of three falls 50 metres wide. The potentials are overwhelming, as it is located just 210 km from the federal capital, it promises to be the tourists’ dream.

He further noted that: "It is a mega project that ideally cannot be the sole responsibility of the State but that of the federal government as well which will benefit immensely through image making for the nation and other invisible income. We expect the project to enjoy the assistance of international bodies too."

Wonder to UN
According to a World Bank representative who recently paid a visit to the magnificent falls: "This is a hidden treasure and one of the wonderful sites I have ever visited. I hope Nigeria will take advantage of this wonderful gift of nature and preserve it for full tourism advantage."
As a testimony to its potentials, It has been listed as a tourist site in Nigeria by the United Nations World Tourism Organization report

Consequently, the Nasarawa State government is leaving nothing to chance in actualizing the benefits of this landmark tourism site as part of its drive to generally overhaul the state’s economy. The initial funding of the project has been by the state.

Nigeria’s biggest
"The State government’s dream is to transform the falls into an international eco-tourism resort. It would be the biggest tourist attraction destination in Nigeria when completed", the Nasarawa Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Lantana Ahmed noted.

At the moment, visitors have already started coming to Farin Ruwa to relax during weekends and festive periods. To make sure they come in greater numbers, the state government has commenced a project of constructing the roads to the falls, bring electricity and other necessary facilities there.
Much of the surrounding environment is light forest, which makes it ideal for eco-tourism. When completed, it is expected to attract international, regional and domestic visitors.

Farin Ruwa in history
The colonial masters stumbled on Farin Ruwa Falls in the 1950’s. A catering Rest House was established in Gur Hill at Marhai village close to the fall in order to exploit it commercially. To protect its rich heritage, the colonial administration gazetted it and named it Marhai Forest Reserve. However, despite this early development, Farin Ruwa was consigned to the backyard until the creation of Nassarawa State in 1996.
In 1999, Governor Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu visited the falls and ordered the construction of access roads. Today it is located in Farin Ruwa Development Area under Wamaba Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

It is presently one of the best falls in Nigeria and indeed Africa, with a height of 150 metres and a width of 50 metres at the peak of the rainy season.
It derives its name ‘white snow’ from the force of its turbulent and gushing waters.

UN is interested
"The state, federal government and the United Nations are collaborating to see its success. It is purely a private sector driven project. What gives it an edge is its proximity to Abuja International Airport. Abuja is fast becoming an international conference city so, it would provide an opportunity for businessmen, politicians and tourists to relax after a hectic day in Abuja. It is only 1 hour 30 minutes drive from Abuja," said Adejuwon, who has been involved in a good number of tourist’s projects both locally and internationally.

To make sure it is a success, AIMS Consultants Limited Lagos have been contracted to handle the construction of the Farin Ruwa project which should begin in September this year. Already, the satellite mapping of the area, which spans 15 kilometres, has been completed and the design of the project is in full gear

According to Mrs. Ahmed, "the objective is to build an internationally-accepted Eco-Tourism Resort that would generate local currency, foreign exchange, create employment, alleviate poverty and preserve and conserve the ecosystem".

A consultant’s Farin Ruwa dream
According to Amin Moussalli, MD, AIMS Consultants: "Facilities to be provided include restaurants, wave pools, open air theatre, a lake, mini zoo, recreational areas, a golf course and a helipad. We want to make it a place for total relaxation. N3.5 billion has been earmarked for the first phase of the project. It is not just a fall but cascades with three falls, two times higher than the Nitel building in Lagos "
He says that to protect the natural environment, vehicles would not be allowed into Farin Ruwa: "We want to keep it as natural as possible."

Indeed, a trip to Farin Ruwa promises to be a trip to nature itself. It would boast a mini zoo, a butterfly garden, a lake and animals strolling about on the premises.
"The vision for the area is that Farin Ruwa will in all aspects promote sustainable eco-tourism by providing a range of activities, facilities and experiences that preserve and enhance the social and cultural environment of the people."



http://www.sunnewsonline.com/images/nassarawa-08.jpg
Re: With N3.5b, Nasarawa Plans To Turn Farin Ruwa Waterfalls To Tourism Nest by iice(f): 5:56am On Feb 25, 2007
Wonderful. . .i'd love to see the butterfly garden
Re: With N3.5b, Nasarawa Plans To Turn Farin Ruwa Waterfalls To Tourism Nest by Ferlie(m): 5:57am On Feb 25, 2007
hmmm- fuckers nest very soon.
Re: With N3.5b, Nasarawa Plans To Turn Farin Ruwa Waterfalls To Tourism Nest by LePhilippe(m): 4:19pm On Feb 25, 2007
Great news, I can't wait to see further developments!!

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