Plateau State alone can contribute N120 billion to the national coffers if its tourism potential is maximized, Chief Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), has said.
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“With its rocks, the natural falls, the weather and many other tourist attraction centres, Plateau can contribute nothing less than N120 billion in tourist funds to Nigeria,’’ Runsewe to reporters in Jos.
The NTDC boss, who is in Jos for a `National Peace Week’, organised by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the NTDC and Plateau Government, said, however that exploring the potential was not possible without peace in the troubled north central State.
He pointed out that Plateau was always the destination of foreign and local investors, as well as foreign and local tourists until peace took a flight and scared everyone away.
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“As a body, we have always scheduled our conferences here; at a time, every other year, the Federal Government held conferences in Plateau. That is no longer the situation.
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“What we are targeting is a Plateau that will, in the next four to five years, add value to tourism. The sector is a crucial money spinner and the pillar of many economies worldwide,’’ he said.
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Runsewe said that it was the resolve to restore peace to Plateau and consolidate on the gains so far made, that the NTDC chose the Christmas season, which was “a season for love’’, to meet stakeholders and work out ways toward permanent peace.
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“Where there is insecurity and rancour, tourism cannot thrive, hence the need to explore all the options toward ending the violence on the Plateau,’’ he said.
He said he had found out that the generality of people wanted peace so as to live their normal lives, stressing that the goal of the programme was to encourage the people to come together and do the right thing.
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According to him, the NTDC has resolved to join hands with President Goodluck Jonathan and the government of Plateau to bring back peace in Jos and its environs by sending the message of peace to the communities, interest groups, as well as religious and political leaders.
Runsewe, however, observed that the situation in Jos was not as bad as the picture painted, and advised information managers to always be on the positive side while reporting on security issues.
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However, long programme shall involve various meetings with traditional rulers, youth groups, as well as religious and political leaders.
Also in the programme are Lawn Tennis and Golf tournaments, a major peace concert, as well as interactive sessions with stakeholders,
Organisers of the programme will also plant a “Peace Tree’’ at the Plateau Peace Square located at Catering Rest House donated by Plateau Governor Jonah Jang.
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