By: Carolyn Ugbor
In his avowed resolved to transform and digitalize Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) for seamless, effective and efficient service delivery, the Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has entered what could be seen as a transformational ground breaking Tourism initiative partnership deal with banking and finance Giant, Sterling Bank Consortium.
The deal was sealed during the signing ceremony in the Ministry's headquarters in Calabar, Wednesday.
Chaired by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Chief Ewa Robert Abubakar and witnessed by other heads of MDAs in the tourism cluster along with other esteemed representative from Sterling Bank Consortium, the event concretise the over 3 months discussion the State initiated with the Consortium.
Speaking during the brief ceremony, The Commissioner for Tourism, Art & Culture Chief Ewa Robert Abubakar lauded Governor Bassey Otu for the bold initiative to digitalize the sector, describing the event as memorable and answered prayers under People's first mantra in the season of sweetness.
He explained that the exercise would contribute significantly to the growth and anticipated development in the tourism sector that would in turn boost the State's Gross Domestic Product.
According to him, "we are moving beyond dancing and Cross River State is blessed with natural ambience and potentials which are yet to be tapped. This partnership deal with the Consortium will drive the process that will increase the tourism traffic and the financial benefits that will come from it activities would be humongous," he added
While presenting the project overview Dr Henry Oyemachi Chairman/CEO ICT Health Solutions Limited, stated that prior to the inauguration, Governor Otu had expressed interest in making his governance to be close to the people and that was why they brought the digitalization of the processes.
"He wanted the activities of the MDAs to be felt by all through technology which will cut across all MDAs," he added.
He applauded the Commissioner for taking the lead to adopt and to run with the Governor's vision and Mandate concerning digitalization as well as becoming the beacon for others to follow.
Mr Henry revealed that a digital platform that will enable all citizens of Cross River State to assess all government services beginning with the Ministry of Tourism where people can explore the rich tourism heritage and potentials of the State will soon be up in the web.
Speaking further Chief Godwin Iyaola, the team lead of the Consortium, posited that any patriotic citizen that he is, owes the state a duty to play a role towards its advancement to become a greater place especially with a Governor who is passionate about human developing.
He pledges his total commitment to ensure that the project works in the Ministry and solicits that all hands on deck to make it work so as to serve as reference points to other MDAs.
Also Speaking the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Eme Affiah who presented the Modus of Operations to the partner, commended the effort of the Consortium for the collaboration, revealing that the Ministry was set and well equipped to make the tourism development initiative work.
