BY ONYEKACHI VICTORIA PHILIP
Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has reportedly intensified efforts to develop the state’s tourism sector through a large-scale ecotourism project aimed at positioning Taraba as a major tourism destination in Nigeria.
According to a further report, this new move described as a quiet tourism drive, is centred on agro-ecotourism and heritage development.
As part of the project, the state government has approved the allocation of about 2,500 hectares of land for tourism development in partnership with La Campagne Tropicana Resort Group.
The project is spread across 12 locations in the state, including Jalingo, Ibi, Gashaka, Bali, Kurmi and the Mambilla Plateau axis, where eco-resorts and tourism facilities are expected to be developed.
Taraba State, popularly referred to as ‘Nature’s Gift to the Nation’ is home to prominent tourist sites such as the Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nwonyo Lake in Ibi, Chappal Waddi, the highest peak in Nigeria and other scenic attractions across the state.
According to the government, the project is meant to make use of these natural resources to increase tourism, create jobs for young people, and help the economy grow.
Governor Kefas said his administration remains committed to making Taraba a centre for tourism, peace, and investment, adding that the project would position the state on the global tourism map.
The partnership with La Campagne Tropicana Resort Group is expected to introduce eco-friendly resorts, adventure tourism activities and cultural experiences across the designated sites.
Industry players in the tourism sector have described the project as one of the most significant ecotourism investments in Northern Nigeria, saying it could transform the state’s economy if fully implemented.