Cross River State Commissioner for Tourism, Art & Culture, Chief Ewa Robert Abubakar, has asserted that given its natural ambience and efforts put in place to enhance tourists sites, the state will remain a leading tourism destination in the country.
Ewa stated this recently during the continuation of his statewide familiarization visit to Tourists sites in the state.
Accompanied by his Management team on-the-spot assessment to ascertain the level of preparedness of the sector to host global visitors this Christmas and Carnival season, the Commissioner maintained that the state will have more to offer especially in Ecotourism.
While interfacing with the Management of the Conservation Society of the Mbe Mountain (CAM) and the representatives of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) at Bamba Community in Boki Local Government Area, Ewa noted that Cross River is comparative advantage in tourism development and reputed to be the leading tourists destination in Nigeria.
The Chief Tour Guide commended the efforts of CAM and WCS for the unity, hard work, peace and understanding they have brought to bear in the management of the State's Forest Reserves as well as the protection of Nature's treasures in Cross River State and hailed them for their dedication despite the challenges from the community like pressure from Timber dealers, hunters, banana and cocoa farmers which hinders their smooth operations.
He called on CAM, WCS as well as all communities within the Reserve area to collaborate with the State Government to create an enabling environment for publicity and marketing of nature because according to him Eco Tourism cannot be achieved without the Mbe Mountains and other Reserve sites managed by them.
Responding, Mr. Peter Ngbe, Chairman CAM, stated that WCS and CAM are working together, because of their common love for nature, to preserve the forest and some of its natural potentials which are very rare.
He appealed to the Commissioner to ensure the development of infrastructure in the Wild life and Reserved areas so as to encourage tourists to the site and solicited for assistance to sustain their services.
As part of the familiarization tour, the Commissioner and his team proceeded to the Buancho forest to inspect the collapsed One kilometre Canopy walkway and the Drill Rehabilitation Center.
The entourage thereafter proceeded to the Obudu Mountain Resort where they inspected the Utanga Safari Lodges, the Water Park at the bottom hill, Becheve Nature Reserve as well as the Cable car terminals
