Lagos partners BACCIMA to boost tourism in Badagry

Adeola Ogunlade

LAGOS State Government has restated its commitment to partnering the business community to promote tourism in Badagry Division.

Its Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yusuf, stated this while receiving members of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA) led by the President, Alhaji Fatai Shokunbi, at her office in Alausa, lkeja, Lagos.

She said the Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led administration was willing to promote a win-win partnership and collaboration with relevant stakeholders towards advancing the frontiers of industries, mines and agriculture as enablers to the economic growth and development of the state.

Mrs. Akinbile-Yusuf assured the delegates that state government would work with the chamber as the voice of businesses in Badagry Division.

Shokunbi thanked the Ministry of Tourism for its consistency in supporting the successful hosting of tourism events, festivals and workshops on the Badagry corridor.

Read Also: Hit and run driver arrested in Lagos

Shokunbi said BACCIMA’s objective for the visit was to deliberate with the ministry on partnership opportunities and the role the business community in the Badagry Division could play in achieving the goal of the Sanwoolu led administration to make Lagos state the most desired tourist destination in Africa by the end of 2022 with emphasis on the Badagry axis.

He said the role of the private sector could not be overemphasised in the development of tourism, and the government must harness the potential of the business community for the socioeconomic development of the state.

The founding Director-General, and a retired permanent secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Ashamu Fadipe, while commending the efforts of the Commissioner, appealed to her to help facilitate collaboration with relevant agencies to build jetties and terminals along the Lagos-Badagry waterfront.

He stressed the need for the establishment of a Craft and Souvenir Village in Badagry, harping on the importance of training and re-training of tourism practitioners in Lagos State while looking forward to the establishment of a Government approved Institute of Tourism in Lagos.

The Director Communications Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Mr. David Opeyemi Oke appealed to the Commissioner to speed up the implementation of the Lagos State Tourism Master Plan, with Badagry in mind as the Tourism Hub of Lagos State.

He also appealed to the Lagos State Government to revisit and see to the completion of the abandoned Tourism Projects in Badagry, such as The Vlekete Slave Trade Museum, Marina Reclamation, Slave Route Project at Gberefu Island and the Point of No Return to mention a few. Opeyemi also pleaded with the Lagos State Government to extend the Lag Ferry Services to Badagry.

He stated that the Lag Ferry Services will help in facilitating trade for SMEs in Badagry Division and help also making it a lot easier for tourists to access the various destinations in Badagry.