The Federal Government and the Rivers State Government on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance the Renewed Hope Cultural Project, an initiative of the Federal Government designed to expand the country’s creative economy sector.
The MoU was signed at the Government House, Port Harcourt, where Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara reaffirmed his commitment to the speedy execution of the Oyorokoto Beach Resort project, pledging to ensure it is fully developed to make the state a tourism hub in Nigeria.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Onwuka Nzeshi, and made available to journalists.
Fubara disclosed that in the last three years, the state government had invested significant resources in expanding the tourism sector because of its desire to develop leisure spots, create jobs and diversify the local economy.
“We have invested in expanding the tourism sector of Rivers State. Some months ago, the project for the new Tourist Beach, which we embarked upon in partnership with Landmark, kicked off.
“They’ve already started their work and, from what they promised, by this December, the first phase will be unveiled and made ready for public use,” he said.
According to the governor, some aspects of the Renewed Hope Cultural Project were part of what his administration had in mind when it initiated the Ngo-Atlantic Oyorokoto Road project in Andoni Local Government Area of the state.
“It is a project that will open up that axis of Rivers State. The Oyorokoto Beach is one of the best beaches in this country.
“Today, I can tell you that all over the internet, I’ve been seeing pictures of elephants, lions and other sorts of wildlife that are being showcased as part of the tourist attractions on that new road,” he said.
Fubara observed that infrastructure development is not just about building roads, bridges and hospitals but also about building an economy for entertainment and relaxation.
He said in Europe and some Middle Eastern countries, such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, economies are not only boosted by good roads but also by the hospitality industry created to provide comfort and relaxation to tourists.
“If not for this crisis in Iran, the closest tourism destination that everybody yearns for is Dubai, to go there and enjoy. So what we are trying to do here is, if we can’t go to Dubai, let’s provide our own Dubai in Rivers State.
“If we can’t go to Qatar, let’s provide our own Qatar or Spain in Oyorokoto,” he said.
Fubara assured that Rivers State would not only sign the agreement but also ensure that something tangible is delivered within the next four months.
He thanked the Federal Government for selecting Rivers State as one of the key states for the project, adding that both parties to the MoU would work as partners in progress.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, signed the MoU on behalf of the Federal Government, while the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Culture, Mr Ishmael Tomonialadeokuma, signed on behalf of the state.
In her remarks, Musawa described the project as timely, adding that it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s desire to ensure collaboration between the Federal Government and the states in expanding the country’s creative industry.
According to the minister, the main goal of the project is economic diversification and expansion, as well as job creation.
She hailed Fubara for what his administration has done in the area of art, culture, tourism and the creative economy, describing it as “very vast.”
“I’m very glad today that we have signed this MoU on the Renewed Hope Cultural Project. It is a project that spans across the arts, culture, tourism and creative industry. It is really to catch up with what you have already done in the state.
“It is to see what we can do at the federal level to support you so that we can use it as a tourism, cultural and creative hub, as well as an arts space.
“Mr President wants us not to work in silos but to work together with the different subnationals to see how the Federal Government can support all your efforts in the state,” she said.
She continued, “We have to collaborate and share our vision with the state. It is not complete if the FG does not collaborate with Rivers State. In fact, it is one of the low-hanging fruits.
“So, I’m very glad today that we have signed this MoU on the Renewed Hope Cultural Project. It is a project that spans across the arts, culture, tourism and creative industry. It is really to catch up with what you have already done in the state.
“It is to see what we can do at the federal level to support you so that we can use it as a tourism, cultural and creative hub, as well as an arts space.
“In coming into Rivers State, I can see that there is a huge, diverse culture. Rivers State is one of the low-hanging fruits. There is infrastructure, there is access, and you have a number of international flights that come into Rivers State.
“Our hope is that Rivers State, with the sort of idea and vision that you (Gov. Siminalayi Fubara) have, we can work together to make sure that Rivers State becomes a huge expression in making Nigeria the cultural and creative hub of Africa.”