C'RIVER TOURISM MINISTRY PARTNERS PADIC-AFRICA, PANDRILLUS ON ECOTOURISM

By: Carolyn Ugbor

In a bid to promote Ecotourism in the state, the Cross River State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture has stated its readiness to partner with the Panacea for Developmental and Infrastructural Challenges for Africa Initiative (PADIC-AFRICA) and PANDRILLUS Foundation.

The Tourism Commissioner, Chief Ewa Robert Abubakar, in a joint meeting with the duo held recently in Calabar, posited that the Ministry of Tourism will collaborate with PADIC-AFRICA, PANDRILLUS Foundation and other relevant organizations in the line of Eco-tourism to drive the partnership to a logical conclusion.

He described collaborating with the teams as a low hanging fruit and  revealed that Eco-tourism development is at the forefront of the  Ministry's action plan and promised to use the opportunity to revamp the sector.

Earlier, Executive Director, PADIC-Africa, Dr Martins Egot, stated that the organization is an environmental organization that has been in existence for 15 years.

"Our core interest have been environmental sustainability, working directly with rural and forest communities to manage the forest alongside the communities."

"The Ministry plays a better role in terms of forest management and  synergizing with the teams will bridge the gap between the community and the organizations," he added.

Also speaking, Mr Zach Schwenneker, Drill Ranch Manager, PANDRILLUS Foundation, said that the Cross River Drill Ranch is currently the premium tourism destination in the State which is in collaboration with the United States Government.

Schwenneker, however, lamented the invasion of the forest and appealed to the state government to forestall unwholesome practices that are inimical to wildlife conservation and tourism.