http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/special/10830133752.htm

Donald Duke, governor of Cross River State, has succeeded in putting the State on the path to greatness through several unique projects

For any foreigner who has been to other parts of Nigeria before visiting Calabar, it will be very difficult for him or her to believe that Cross River State is a part of the same country. There are striking differences between Calabar and other major towns in Nigeria. The first impression the foreigner gets as he or she drives into Calabar is the orderliness that pervades everywhere. Residents of Calabar go about their daily routines in an orderly and disciplined manner unlike the situations in other towns which are characterised by hustling and bustling.


http://www.newswatchngr.com/editorial/allaccess/special/10830133552.htm

Newswatch: Tourism seems to be the jewel or the crown of the Cross River State. Can you tell us a bit more about it?

Duke: Three years before we assumed office, we sat down to draw up a blueprint on where we should be in twenty years. We did a study of our state to identify areas we have a comparative advantage. We identified two primary areas-agriculture and tourism. In agriculture, you know our people are agrarian in nature. We have large arable land, we have wide climatic regions of the mangrove/rainforest of the south to the semi-Savannah in the northern part, then we have in some parts of the state, the semi-temperate region.

Thump up for Gov. Donald Duke.
I've not been there but I do hear of his achievement how he was able to make Cross River state a tourist centre.
Obong your name implies that you are from this state then you must be proud of the governor.
Kudos to the Governor.

Yes, im from cross river akwa ibom states. I'm very impressed with the governor because of his clear vision and capacity to make it happen

So aren't you coming home to invest?

i already invest, but i want to invest even more. maybe even go for politics one day

Good you.
Cross River is now a centre of attraction in Nigeria because of the tourism and she will attrct investors no doubt about that.
But the only broblem we have in Nigeria politics is that no continuity.
After Donald, will his successor build on what this man has done?

Thats the biggest issue.But duke is a sensible man and will likely support someone with sense enough to continue what he did

who told you Cross River is that orderly?Maybe you go to the orderly parts.Check out Etim Edem Motor park area,udua watt area and eta agbor area,you will see how far....

What's wrong with Etim Edem, Urua Watt etc

Every large city has such areas and as such their presence does not define the city.

What defines a city is the direction it is headed, the postive strides it has made and above all, the spirit and attitude of its citizens

Calabar is really one heaven of a place.

Once that Tinapa project is completed, Cross river in general and Calabar in particular should see a big boom in their economy. Pay attention ppl.

well,I thinki the hype about Calabar is overdone,period.

When you live or stay in other parts of this country, then it becomes clear that the hypes is not too much.

Tourist destinations grow on hypes...because people will always talk and add salt and pepper towhat they have heard or seen.

But that Cross River is the best place to be in Niigeria is an incontrovertible fact

Nigeria´s shining tourism haven thanks to the governor who not just talks but displays real love to our country in realising his ambitions


I do really have great respect for the governor in Cross River state



















FOR THOSE INTERESTED MAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR ON THEIR WEBSITE OF THE PROJECT WHICH IS TO BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR (Phase 1)

httP://www.tinapa.com


PHASE 1

The development of Tinapa will be in phases. Phase One will include specific components that will form the foundation of the development of a leisure tourism market in Nigeria . These components are:

* a shopping complex comprising:
o four wholesale emporiums
o 100 retail outlets
o a food court with take-away outlets and
o a communal sitting area
o an administrative centre
o parking for approximately 3,000 cars and coaches
* an “entertainment strip” leading out of the shopping complex which will include:
o a casino of international standard
o five restaurants
o a cinema complex with cinemas ranging from 104 to 340 seats each
o a games arcade and ten-pin bowling alley
o a children's play area
o a fisherman's village comprising three themed bars, a themed nightclub and an arts and crafts village
* 300-room budget hotel
* support services and amenities such as a sick bay, management offices, etc.
* a warehouse cluster with five warehouses
* Leisureland / Waterworld facility
o Wave pool
o Standing wave surfing
o Lazy river ride
o Water slides
o Picnic area
o Children's pool and children's play area
o Tennis courts
o Volleyball courts
o Change room facilities
o Lifeguard tower
o Kiosks
o Management offices



PHASE 2

Phase Two of the project will include the following:

* a hotel and conference complex including:
o a 200-room branded international four star hotel
o a conference centre with a main ballroom seating up to 1,000 delegates
o three boutique stores of 50m 2 floor space each
o a business centre
o a fitness centre
* expansion of leisure and entertainment facilities to include:
o water sports facilities
o a quad biking track
o an archery range
o a clay pigeon shooting area
* expansion of cultural and education components to include:
o ten additional stalls with craft making area; and
o a fisherman's wharf
o expansion, restoration and upgrading of the existing Old Residency Museum in Calabar

PHASE 3

Phase Three will include the following components:

* accommodation facilities including:
o a 150-room branded international four-star hotel
o a luxury beach lodge with 30 letting units
o a luxury bush lodge with 30 letting units
* agritourism in the form of a tropical fish farm
* ecotourism in the form of an exotic bird aviary

Yeah, I've known about his achievements for a while. Too bad the project has been pushed back twice at least. hopefully it will be done by March 2007.

I am pleased to read about this development in Cross River State. Duke deserves the kudos for his vision in transforming the state into an international destination. And with its deep rooted history in the state, Cross River State will emerge as one of the shining beacon in the country. I am so glad that I grew up in Calabar. Very fond memories that I have of that area.

Those from CRS/Akwa Ibom state, please identify yourselves.

http://nigerianmemories..com/

Well i Thank the CR'S Gov So much for the realization of the existing dream of TINA PA, but i think the Etakpo Park an Udua wad should be well constructed an cleaned up,an tries an flowers should be planted all over, since they are in the heart of the City,especially the Park where most people first landed when getting into CRS.when you leave or travel to Lagos Or Port-Harcourt you find out that CRS is not even an half developed.