One of the key promises he made to the people when assuming office as governor on May 29, 2011, was to make Imo State the tourist hub for the South-East geo-political zone. And less than two years in office, Governor Rochas Okorocha seems to have taken practical steps to redeem his promise.

Apparently aware of the key role that good roads play in the promotion of tourism, the governor first embarked on massive road construction and reconstruction in almost all the communities in the state, a development which has reduced the number of hours spent on travelling from one part of the state to the other.

Subsequently, the Okorocha-administration built a Freedom Park in Owerri, the state capital where pressure groups in the state, associations and individuals could come to express their views on government policies and programmes without fear of victimization or molestation. Today, that facility has assumed the status of a tourist centre, even though it was not originally planned to be one.

A widely travelled man, many of his fans say the governor appreciates the importance of tourism as a tool for job creation and revenue generation. This apparently explains why he has turned the Imo State Hotel to a tourist site. An art theatre known as 'Bongo Square', has been built inside the hotel's premises, and almost every day, hundreds of visitors throng the theatre which also serves as a centre for projecting Igbo culture and tradition, to admire the numerous artefacts on display.

But of all the tourist centres in the state, the one that is dearest to the governor's heart is the Oguta Wonder Lake, now renamed Imo Blue Lake of Treasure given its potentials to create wealth and job opportunities. The lake of treasure is a unique lake, which is just 45 minutes drive from Owerri, the Imo State capital, and 27 kilometres from the ever-busy Owerri-Onitsha highway.

The governor says his ambition is to turn the lake into one of the best tourist centres in the world. He may not be far from achieving his aim against the backdrop of the modern structures his administration has so far put on the ground there. For instance, the lake of treasure now boasts of a multi-million naira conference centre, and staff quarters. The conference centre has over 200 rooms and a beautiful car park. It has facilities to host local and international workshops and seminars. The state government has just laid the foundation stone of a five-star hotel to complement the existing motel there.

A movie village is under construction within the vicinity of the lake, and the governor believes the film village would provide Nigerian actors and actresses an enabling environment to amply develop their skills. Patience Ozorkwo and Nkem Owoh, two popular members of the country's highly rated Nollywood family are leading members of the committee charged with the responsibility of executing the project. The state government also plans to create a beach at the lake of treasure, as well as procure over 10 speed boats to ease transportation problems in Oguta. An annual boat regatta festival which is expected to draw visitors from within and outside the country is being planned to hold at the lake in the nearest future.

The Imo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mrs. Ugochi Okoro, whose ministry would be relocated to the Oguta Lake, informed LEADERSHIP that the state government intends to make the place one of its revenue generation centres, adding that several other facilities would be put in place around the lake, to make it a world-class tourist centre.

Governor Okorocha says the relocation of the culture and tourism ministry to Oguta, is to ensure proper monitoring and management of the facility. A police post is to be established within the centre, to protect lives and property.

Some people who spoke to LEADERSHIP, say the Oguta lake project, is symbolic of Governor Okorocha's commitment to project execution relative to his predecessor, Ikedi Ohakim.

http://allafrica.com/stories/201209110114.html