*Abia State government needs to reacquire Ojukwu’s Bunker

It is a known fact that there is a change in narrative in the governance of Abia State. For once in the history of the state, good governance in Nigeria is mentioned side by side with the state, kudos to Governor Alex Otti and his team.

However, while the state has seemingly taken a giant leap for the better in different areas of governance, and also seen improvement in the  business clime through the government’s solving of energy problems and social infrastructural decay, one key area seems  not to have a clear vision on the way forward. This is the tourism industry.  

In the South East, Abia State is the most endowed in terms of viable tourism assets, both natural and man-made, that could translate into massive job creation, and direct economic benefit for the people, especially in host communities where these assets are domiciled in.  The key phrase here is ‘viable tourism assets’. Unfortunately, so far, the state government has not gone in this direction. All the state’s plans towards tourism development sounds good on paper, impressive to read about, but nonviable in the long run, and ultimately unsustainable.  Tourism is not about thinking big, but thinking smart.

In the month of  May, there was a report in Leadership newspaper and other media that the state was embarking on a  medical city project. Governor Otti was quoted to have told journalists during his monthly media interaction that in the next two or three years, the state will build a Medical City to boost health tourism. He said: “It will take us time to complete. In other two or three years, it will be completed. When we do, it will attract and discourage health tourism abroad.”

While not discouraging the state from developing world-class medical facilities, apart from the huge financial outlay, medical tourism is not solely dependent on the health facilities in a place, other ancillary services like accommodation and so on, are inclusive. In the past ex-Governor Rotimi Amechi of Rivers State and Senator Godswill Akpabio tried building such facilities in Rivers and Akwa Ibom States, nothing was heard of these plans. It does not mean because of this, the plan in Abia State would not succeed, however, it is worth noting medical tourism is not solely dependent on the health facilities of a place. So, using it as a peg for tourism development is unrealistic.

There has also been a report that the state, with its partners, plans building a world-class amusement park in Aba. For a state lacking in any standard amusement park facilities, building such is a plus and would definitely help the economy. But while doing that, the state should look at the bigger picture of a holistic master plan for tourism development.

There is also news about embarking on registration of hotels. It is not clear whether it is for the purpose of classification and grading or just to have an inventory of the number of hotels and tourism operators in the state. While it is a good idea to have a record of operators in the state, but if it is for the purpose of grading and classification, it is too early and the state does not have the capacity and expertise to embark on that.

How can tourism in Abia State be developed?  The first is for the state to develop a master plan, taking an inventory of all tourism assets in the state and know the viable and nonviable ones.

Having taken an extensive tour of some key tourism sites in Abia State, it is clear that  the area the state has a comparative advantage is in monuments and heritage tourism. These can be developed for local and inbound tourists.

Of Ojukwu Bunker, Okpara’s Building and War Museum

In Ojukwu Bunker located  in Okpara’s House and the War Museum all in Umuahia, the state is sitting on a tourism gold mine that could generate up to 500,000 visitors per annum. This is a conservative estimate. It currently does not do up to 5,000 annually and many of the visitors are school children. To think of the multiplier effect of having 500,000 tourists a year on a city like Umuahia, the city will be transform as we saw happen in Calabar with the annual Carnival Calabar.

This writer has had an extensive tour of Genocide Museum in Kigali and Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg. In these places there are always long lines of visitors queuing to go in. Tourists go to these places to look into the dark history of these countries. These histories are presented not with the aim of creating resentment for a group, but a part of history of these countries’ development towards nationhood. These museum generate huge revenues. That is the kind of place Ojukwu Bunker ought to be.

However, in the case of Abia State, Ojukwu Bunker has been leased to a powerful political family from Umuahia by a past state government for so many years. This family has done little to improve the place and develop it into a standard tourist site. If the current state government is desirous of developing tourism in the state and understand the enormous potential of the building and bunker, why not enter into an dialogue with the family and reacquire it for greater public good? With that place and the War Museum, which incidentally was listed as one of Nigeria’s Seven Wonders, major tourism activities could be built around them with the right narratives.

Enyimba Hotel Aba project conundrum

The Enyimba Hotel Aba has become a conundrum that has not been solved by past governments in Abia State. The hotel project was started by the late Dr. Sam Mbakwe, the first civilian governor of the old Imo State (Imo and Abia States) about 40 years ago, unfortunately, he could not complete it before he was removed by the military junta. The size of the hotel complex, location and facilities could attract an international hospitality company to manage and provide the state with a five-star hotel. While talks about building a world-class amusement park in Aba is on, Governor Otti should also solve the Enyimba Hotel complex conundrum.

Ex-Governor Ikpeazu brought some experts to look at the building. According the report, the integrity of the building was still intact then. So, a world-class hospitality facility could still be developed there. Alternatively, if the uncompleted hotel building is no longer strong after more than 40 years, it should be demolished for a fresh structure.  

Abia State and Slave Route tourism

Arochukwu has one of the best preserved ancient relics that capture vividly the story of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade era. So, why is the place not developed for international tourist visitors?

All through the West African coast, places like Arochukwu exist and draw huge number of international visitors to these destinations. They are the main-stay of tourism in these countries.  In Benin Republic Ouidah the old slave port is a thriving tourists destination.  Ghana’s Elmina Castle in Cape Coast is a big draw for tourists. Goree Island in Senegal also has large number of tourist visitors.

Here in Nigeria however,  the only known place  for slave relics is Badagry. Lagos has been investing and promoting Badagry. But in Abia State with this huge historical endowment, there are no meaningful efforts to promote Arochukwu as a tour site for tourists and potential investors. If promoted and developed,  it could be a hit with blacks in the Diaspora.

One could go on and on. What Abia State needs in tourism is not gigantic ego projects, but smart thinking to create viable tourism products that would impact on the citizens positively.  Let the state pluck the low hanging tourism fruits before embarking on the big projects.