The Ekiti State Policy Development Committee set up by Ekitipanupo, a think-thank of professionals, has canvassed for N1bn to develop tourism in the "Fountain of Knowledge."


According to the committee, there is a need to float a recurrent tourism funds pool to be known as Ekiti State Tourism Development Fund to finance the development of tourism projects in the 16 local government areas of the state.

The committee said there was a need to invest that much in the tourism sector in Ekiti to turn the state into a world-class tourist destination and generate foreign exchange into the coffers of the state to make it less dependent on allocations from the Federation Account.

In a report submitted to Governor Kayode Fayemi by the committee, a copy of which was made available to journalists on Thursday, the Ekiti professionals also recommended the restructuring of the state Tourism Board.

The committee recommended that a total sum of between N500m and N1bn was expected to accrue to the fund annually from the state government, local government councils, banks and financial institutions, multinationals and other companies.

Others expected to contribute to the fund are the Education Trust Fund, government contractors and consultants, foreign and local donor agencies, individuals and others sources.

The committee recommended, a restructuring of the State Tourism Board recommending the establishment of the Ekiti Tourism Development Corporation to reflect the new economic approach of government with the body to operate as a full autonomous agency of government.

The committee called on the state government to create the necessary enabling environment to attract large inflow of foreign and local tourism investors.

The panel report described Ekiti as easily accessible from about six states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory in addition to the availability of an airport less than 40 minutes away from the state capital.

It also recommended that government should not invest more than 30 per cent equity in any joint venture project, noting that the major investor would have paid all necessary cost of land and infrastructure.

The report urged government to grant incentives to tourism investors, including the guarantee of investment loans, tax relief to investors, joint ventures with investors and the grant of land to tourism practitioners at concessionary rates.

The committee also identified agriculture as a catalyst to stimulate the industrial development of Ekiti State, saying there was an urgent need for policy intervention to boost the industrial base of the state.

The harnessing of the state agricultural and mineral resources, it added, would generate employment for the people of the state, urging government to address the problems of poor road network and non-availability of industrial layout.

http://odili.net/news/source/2011/feb/18/810.html

Beautiful idea, but I believe this is a true example of the adage "putting the cart before the horse".

Have they fixed our roads? Have they build multiple roads that can connect the multiple cities/ villages in Ekiti state? That should be our number one concern. Quick communication yields faster business.

Who cares about tourism right now? Fayemi, what is our priority, hmm?

interestingly it really looks good on papers but implementation,foul.

coolgb:

interestingly it really looks good on papers but implementation,foul.

Why do you say that? Or why do you think so?

N1billion for Tourism ko, $1 billion for Tourism ni.

Do they think they are talking to Fashola??

Look Gov. Fayemi doesn't care about that one at all. Now that he is finally in the Goverment House. He has to begin paying "taxes" to our Taskmaster in Lagos State. "Olori Oko fe je mbe"


Fayemi is starting to show Ekiti people what he is really made of. They have started sharing the allocation.

No problem sha. Plus PDP, plus ACN. God will deal with all of them.

d past will be d key to d present

jensinmi:

N1billion for Tourism ko, $1 billion for Tourism ni.

Do they think they are talking to Fashola??

Look Gov. Fayemi doesn't care about that one at all. Now that he is finally in the Goverment House. He has to begin paying "taxes" to our Taskmaster in Lagos State. "Olori Oko fe je mbe"


Fayemi is starting to show Ekiti people what he is really made of. They have started sharing the allocation.

No problem sha. Plus PDP, plus ACN. God will deal with all of them.

Amen o!

lol are you an anti-fayemi?

idi ileke hav u been to ekiti recently u go pity d pple,i wud rather join d al-qda dan passing thru dat ijan road again

coolgb:

idi ileke hav u been to ekiti recently u go pity d pple,i wud rather join d al-qda dan passing thru dat ijan road again

Define recent? and why should they be pitied?
I've been home recently and my experience is def not familiar with yours. ok!

Ileke-IdI:

Amen o!

lol are you an anti-fayemi?

I've been part of the Pro-Fayemi crowd for the past 3 years. Shouting their praises up and down. Now they have gained power, and have all started "acting a fool."

Fayemi almost single-handedly chose the candidates to represent Ekiti in the upcoming elections. He even told the ACN delegates of Ijero that if they don't support his chosen candidate, they will see no dividends of democracy during his governorship. Will a good leader say things like that.

100 days into his office and I've completely given up hope on Fayemi. I know one thing for sure - FAYEMI IS NO FASHOLA.
Fayemi will fail, and the PDP will have the last laugh. And Ekiti people will have no choice but to run to the People Destroying People party for relief.

I'm tired just thinking about it jor. Maybe I should go sleep.

jensinmi:

I've been part of the Pro-Fayemi crowd for the past 3 years. Shouting their praises up and down. Now they have gained power, and have all started "acting a fool."

Fayemi almost single-handedly chose the candidates to represent Ekiti in the upcoming elections. He even told the ACN delegates of Ijero that if they don't support his chosen candidate, they will see no dividends of democracy during his governorship. Will a good leader say things like that.

100 days into his office and I've completely given up hope on Fayemi. I know one thing for sure - FAYEMI IS NO FASHOLA.
Fayemi will fail, and the PDP will have the last laugh. And Ekiti people will have no choice but to run to the People Destroying People party for relief.

I'm tired just thinking about it jor. Maybe I should go sleep.

awww eya, it will better my bro

Fayemi uttered those words? So how is he any diff from Oni ?

Why Tourism? Why not, say, 1 billion for Agriculture? Or 1 billion for Education? It seems Tourism is the silver idea every other state government comes up with these days.

^^^ My sentiments exactly. I'd be really happy if it was 1bn on road development. It's really excruciating, try traveling on that road. Infact, I believe there's only one interstate that connects one town to another.

These people need to face the problems of Ekiti and stop delusional dreams.

Pick one area where you have comparative advantage, thoroughly dominate it. Anything else is useless.

What are the tourist attractions in Ekiti state?


Somebody tell me.

PhysicsHD:

What are the tourist attractions in Ekiti state?


Somebody tell me.

Are you serious? Oh no he didnt!

There's a lot. . . . it might not me westernized, but the state is very luscious in my opinion.

One of our fave attraction is that river (forgot its name). . . . cold on one side, warm on the other.

^-- Ikogosi warm spring is all I know about off the top of my head.

That, and copious amounts of marijuana. . .

lol, I just asked a question.


What about that Ogedengbe guy?  (Ekiti parapo liberation army) Any monuments to him? museums? etc.




But if there is only a spring or river as a tourist attraction, perhaps the focus on tourism is misguided.

^^^

Ogedengbe is from my home state, Osun.

PhysicsMSTP, pleas dont make that mistake again

Most Ekitis are rascals, just like Aigbofa and Ileke . Ogedengbe couldnt have come from such a rascally group of people

fstranger3:

^^^

Ogedengbe is from Ogbomosho

PhysicsMSTP, pleas dont make that mistake again

Most Ekitis are rascals, just like Aigbofa and Ileke . Ogedengbe couldnt have come from such a rascally group of people

Ogedengbe is from Ilesha, I think.

P.S We are not rascals

Aigbofa:

Ogedengbe is from Ilesha, I think.

I know that!

I know my history

fstranger3:

^^^

Ogedengbe is from my home state, Osun.

PhysicsMSTP, pleas dont make that mistake again

Most Ekitis are rascals, just like Aigbofa and Ileke . Ogedengbe couldnt have come from such a rascally group of people

rofl

Aigbofa:

Ogedengbe is from Ilesha, I think.

P.S We are not rascals

I see.

Well, what are the tourist attractions in Ekiti, since that's out of the picture?

Ogedengbe is an Ileshaman, yes. It is Fabunmi who is popular amongst Ekiti.

Though Western Ekiti borders Ileshaland, and many of the towns there are primarily of mixed Osun/Ekiti origin. After the war, Fabunmi became a king in Osun rather than in his hometown in Ekiti, iirc.

^^^

Another Ekiti Yoruba rascal

PhysicsHD:

What are the tourist attractions in Ekiti state?


Somebody tell me.

Have you ever seen a mountain of cow $h!t?
If not, head to Okiti.   I ain't going though. Can't stand the stench.

until states are 'forced' to generate their own revenue the seriousness of states carving their own niche will be a mirage

fstranger3:

^^^

Another Ekiti Yoruba rascal

LOL

You can't be serious.

PhysicsHD:


I see.

Well, what are the tourist attractions in Ekiti, since that's out of the picture?

Well, too bad you don't like rock climbing. Some people live for it you know.

fstranger3:

^^^

Another Ekiti Yoruba rascal

Rascals and troublemakers all. . .but damn proud of it.

asha 80:

until states are 'forced' to generate their own revenue the seriousness of states carving their own niche will be a mirage

Might be true. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Onlytruth:

Have you ever seen a mountain of cow $h!t?
If not, head to Okiti.   I ain't going though. Can't stand the stench.

Lol. Comparing the smell of Ekiti to that of any part of Igboland is a losing proposition for you  

I travelled by and saw those rolling green Efon Alaaye hills recently. Beautiful countryside I tell you! Especially those misty hills before the Esa oke junction. I'll camp on those hills if they can get a good resort up there. Four season kinda look

But Folks are right, they need good roads, water and electricity first.

Onlytruth:

Have you ever seen a mountain of cow $h!t?
If not, head to Okiti.   I ain't going though. Can't stand the stench.

at least they can go to lagos and become the governor and live like indigene

can you or your family

they can go to abuja and most part of the north,.,. can you do the same

can your family do the same

certainly not,.,.,

Kilode?!:

I travelled by and saw those rolling green Efon Alaaye hills recently. Beautiful countryside I tell you! Especially those misty hills before the Esa oke junction. I'll camp on those hills if they can get a good resort up there. Four season kinda look

But Folks are right, they need good roads, water and electricity first.

You are absolutely right.