Lalong’s audioAudio Attached
NAN-H-73
Tourism
Abuja, Oct. 4, 2016 (NAN) Plateau Government says it is taking steps to revive the ailing tourism sector in the area following a fact-finding tour of South Africa and interaction with investors.
Gov. Simon Lalong disclosed this to State House correspondents in Abuja on Tuesday after he paid a visit to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the State House.
Lalong said that the state government would take advantage of its market rebuilding efforts to construct shopping malls that would serve as places of interest to shoppers and sightseers.
- Cue in audio
“Plateau is the home of peace and tourism.
“So, we are trying to maintain the peace now; if we have the peace we are going into tourism.
“South Africa is one place that is very renowned for tourism.
“So, we went there to see some of the places and to also create partnership with them (so that they can) come to Plateau and invest in tourism.
“While we were there, we also explored opportunities to visit sites, like the headquarters of Shoprite.
“We need shopping malls in Plateau; we are rebuilding the main market and in addition we are also thinking of having so many shopping malls in the state.
“So, we also took opportunity to go to those areas.
“This week many of them are coming; some of them are even visiting Jos right now to confirm and look at things.
“Possibly we may sign MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding) with some of those investors.’’
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Lalong said his administration had gone far in ensuring ethnic harmony in the state, adding that Plateau was the only state that has inaugurated a bureau for conflict management in the country.
“This is the first of its kind.
“In addition to that, we invited an NGO, Humanitarian Dialogue, through the office of the National Security Adviser.
“They have done it in Plateau, they went to Kaduna and they are back to Plateau.
“I made an application and they are back to Plateau trying to ensure conflict resolution in the southern part of Plateau.
“After that I also made an appeal that they should come to the central zone so that we have a complete arrangement for peace.
“We are not joking with peace,’’ he added.
On the appointment of a Plateau indigene, Joseph Ari, as Director-General of Industrial Training Fund, the governor said President Muhammadu Buhari gesture was a pleasant surprise to the people of the state.
“All of a sudden the President surprised us with that very big appointment.
“I must say that I am very grateful to Mr President but we are still asking for more,’’ he said.
According to him, the appointment will cushion the effect of the removal of Plateau persons from federal administration.
“With this appointment we are also feeling a sense of belonging in this government,’’ Lalong said.
The governor said his visit to Osinbajo was routine and to felicitate with him.
He said that the visit was also to update the vice president, who is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), on the operations of the company. (NAN)
DCU/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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