Brass—The Amadabo of Sambo Ama in Twon Brass Kingdom of Bayelsa State, HRH Samuel Sambo has urged Governor Douye Diri to diversify the revenue sources of the state by investing more in tourism.
Sambo said the over-reliance on oil revenues will not change the fortunes of Bayelsa, adding that the state can invest in other sectors to improve the living conditions of the citizenry.
Sambo in a statement released to journalists on Tuesday urged Diri to develop Bayelsa’s beaches, mangrove forests, and colonial relics into real tourist centers that would attract the world to the state.
“We have sandy beaches, beautiful mangrove forests and several colonial relics in most of our communities. We can bring the world to Bayelsa if we get our acts together.
“I therefore appeal to the Bayelsa state government to invest more in tourism by beautifying the Okpoama beach, the Akassa Slave Tunnel and Light House as well as the White Man’s grave in Twon Brass,” the statement reads.
According to him, tourists from different countries would pay fortunes to visit these monumental sites if only the relevant government authorities can partner with respective communities in the state to develop these places into tourist attractions.
The monarch added that the building of the late Adaka Boro in Kaiama, the Edubanom Forest Reserve, the Peace Park and the Ox-Bow Lake can also increase the international tourism receipts of the state if properly managed.
He stated that while the government is making efforts to connect the three senatorial districts by road, it can also start investing heavily in tourism.
Sambo opined that the Bayelsa state government can replicate the feats of world-renowned tourist havens if it starts investing in tourism now.
“The Maldives, Seychelles, Santorini, and other tourist destinations are coastal environments like ours. We can, in the near future, replicate the same here and boost our economy if we start now,” the traditional ruler stated.
