On Monday, Hajiya Aishat Barde, the Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change in Taraba State visited Lola Ade-John, the Minister of Tourism, at her office in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, with her team and Mr Ibrahim Pam, the CEO of SUNVILA NIGERIA.
The purpose of this courtesy visit was to establish a relationship between the Federal Ministry and the Taraba State Government and seek collaboration for projects that would encourage local tourism, decrease carbon footprint, and boost the economy of the state.
The proposed project is the “Ecotourism and Natural Resource Management” of the Gashaka Gumti National Park.
Barde emphasised the project’s multiple benefits, including the preservation of biodiversity, the promotion of community engagement, and the enhancement of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
She also mentioned Governor Agbu Kefas’ efforts to ensure security in the state and encourage responsible travel and safety of life within the state.
Ade-John expressed her delight in receiving the delegation and spoke about the need for federal and state collaborations in establishing strategic innovation in the country.
She showed interest in developing projects that promote domestic tourism, such as ecovillages and incorporating bamboo farming and trading into the mix.
The Minister, Ade-John also emphasised the importance of job creation, sustaining local livelihoods, and generating revenue in any tourist project.
Mr Pam, the CEO of SUNVILA NIGERIA, also discussed the various benefits of the project to the state and the country at large, assuring the Honourable Minister that his company acknowledged her concerns.
SUNVILA NIGERIA is a joint venture between Nigerian and Korean corporation that aims to create smart complexes that will provide economic activities in the rural communities of the state after assessing the needs and environmental as well as the social impacts of the project.
Additionally, Barde reiterated the importance of this project to her office, which would provide solutions for mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts and protecting the environment at large.
