How Lagos is consciously building infrastructure to drive tourism

Lagos state government is consciously investing huge resources to develop an enduring infrastructural architecture that would ensure that the State’s tourism potentials are fully harnessed for all-round economic growth and development.

Akinwunmi Ambode, Lagos state governor, stated this at the Lagos Tourism Summit, held at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, with the theme- ‘Destination Lagos: Towards A Sustainable Tourism-Driven Economy'.

Ambode said the plans, concepts and executions of his administration are deliberate and well thought-out to make the highly populated mega city-state culturally attractive and artistically functional.

“As a government, we are conscious of the fact that infrastructure, security, stability and partnership with all stakeholders are fundamental ingredients for tourism development. We have channelled a lot of resources into creating an enduring infrastructural architecture for the business of tourism to thrive,” he said.

ALSO READ: Lagos commissions Bus Terminal but the buses will arrive in 6 months time

He said his administration was not unmindful of the fact that for the State to match up with other leading world tourism destinations like Miami; São Paulo; Dubai, Singapore and Tokyo as well as African cities such as Cape Town, Cairo, Marrakech and Accra, the right infrastructure has to be put in place.

The emergence of the Lagos Tourism Master Plan

The Tourism Master Plan is focused on Six (6) key sectors;

1. Culture and Heritage

2. Film, Art and Entertainment,

3. Business Tourism,

4. Nature and Adventure,

5. Medical and Wellness,

6. Beach and Leisure.

“In order to do this successfully, we must first build a solid infrastructural architecture that will endure. It must be safe and secure; it must provide functional and diverse venues for the arts, culture, festivals, creative industry, recreation and wildlife; and it must constantly and productively engage with its critical stakeholders."

“So when you see us reclaim 50 hectares of land at the Oworonshoki end of our lagoon; when you see us clear a whole stretch at the Badagry and Epe Marina; when we insist that our prime waterfront must not be taken over by shanties and slums; when you see us embark on some ambitious road, fly-over and modern bus terminal constructions; we are preparing the grounds for a major source of employment and prosperity", the governor concluded.

John Dramani Mahama, former President of Ghana, in his speech, said Lagos has the potentials to emerge as a foremost destination for tourism development in Africa.

Recently, the state government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture hosted the 2018 edition of its annual Boat Regatta Funfair.

The boat regatta which is open to the public as a cultural and entertainment funfair is meant to showcase part of the State’s rich aquatic cultural asset, being a festival that is common to the traditional coastline communities.

Governor Ambode had vowed in 2015 to explore the tourism potentials that exist within the state by making the state more tourism and commerce friendly.