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INTERVIEW: Our Ambition is to make Cross River State a Leading Destination for Culture and Tourism in Africa – Otu
INTERVIEW: Our Ambition is to make Cross River State a Leading Destination for Culture and Tourism in Africa – Otu
October 25, () – Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River State speaks in this interview with a select group of Journalists on his plans to build a sustainable tourism economy, improve aviation connectivity, promote Carnival Calabar on the global stage, and enhance peace through cultural exchange. Janefrances Chibuzor was there for
Does Cross River State have concrete plans to generate sustainable revenue, create jobs, and derive lasting economic benefits from tourism
Some countries depend on tourism for their livelihoods. Cross River State is blessed with natural assets, and we must build on these advantages. Consider Obudu Mountain Resort, the monoliths in Ikom, our masquerades, and rich cultural heritage. We can develop these resources into economic value.
Almost every sector has a value chain, and tourism is no exception. We are working to develop these value chains and ensure that the structures we build are sustainable. We are not building just for fun.
We have modernised different areas, and people are already earning from these activities. We are adding creativity and innovation to strengthen the sector and create an enduring ecosystem where people can live, work, earn salaries, and build their futures.
Our ambition is to make Cross River State a leading destination for culture and tourism in Africa.
What are your long-term plans for Cally Air, including fleet expansion and possible air connectivity between Calabar and Obudu
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We take aviation very seriously. Cross River occupies a strategic position along the Gulf of Guinea, an area that has served as a trade route for more than 600 years.
The Federal Government’s coastal road project under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda could strengthen the economy and improve the visibility of this historic route.
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We need reliable flights into and out of Calabar because our development partners, private-sector participants, and conference visitors come here regularly. As these activities increase, aviation becomes even more important.
We therefore decided to upscale the aviation sector. Today, we have well over seven aircraft flying. We are working to ensure that mobility supports the development we want to achieve.
Obudu also has significant tourism potential, but aviation infrastructure is highly regulated. We must meet strict requirements before moving to the next stage. We are following the necessary process to obtain the required approvals, while regulatory flights are being conducted at the airstrip.
We are also undertaking major remodelling of the facilities at Obudu Mountain Resort. We believe these efforts will position the destination better to receive visitors.
What is the timeline for obtaining the required operating approval for the airline
The timeline is not entirely in our hands because there are examinations and regulatory conditions that must be met. The regulators control that process.
Our team is working around the clock. Those who work with me know that we take our key performance indicators seriously. Everybody is expected to do their job on time, and we remain committed to the process.
What informed this year’s carnival theme, “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny”
The theme has been three years in the making. If you look at what is happening around the world, the challenges are serious. We see neighbours killing one another, unnecessary wars, and children being orphaned because of conflicts.
None of us will live forever. Every generation has its time to play a role and then leave. There is no need to spend the short time we have fighting when we should be living together in peace.
Carnival Calabar brings people from different parts of the world together. We expect people from Russia, Ukraine, and other places to come here. They are coming in the spirit of love, not to fight. We want them to experience unity and return to their communities with the message that there is no need to quarrel or destroy one another.
Infrastructure takes years to build, and destroying it affects future generations. Our previous theme was “Shared Prosperity”. When prosperity is shared fairly, without unnecessary exploitation, there is a better chance for peace. There will always be negative conduct that the law must address, but many people suffer from conflicts they had no part in creating.
Our message is that we should live in peace and rethink our collective destiny.
What are the benefits that hosting the carnival brings to the people
The benefits are economic and connected to hospitality, which is part of our strength. We clearly need more hotels because the carnival is expanding. We are also looking at carnival roads and other facilities that will help us accommodate more people.
We have foreign visitors, diaspora bands, and countries interested in participating with their own bands. International artists are also showing interest.
We are no longer building something for Cross River alone. The carnival has grown beyond the state, and the world is coming to participate. We are introducing new measures to respond to the expectations of participants and visitors.
We are also introducing real-time voting. Everybody will be able to follow the results, helping to address concerns about cheating and making the competition more transparent.
Greater participation will encourage people to take more interest in their bands. When a band wins, the achievement and its value will increase, and people will become prouder of their cultural identities.
Look at the brands associated with Manchester United and Arsenal. We want to build that kind of recognition around our cultural bands. This is a living cultural experience, not something people simply watch from the sidelines.
As the event grows, we expect more opportunities for Cross Riverians and a positive impact on the economy.
How will online voting improve transparency and participation as the carnival attracts international competitors
We have gone international, and we must recognise the cultural needs of the different groups participating. Transparency is very important, especially when you bring people from around the world into a competition.
Full participation will raise the standard of the contest. Cross Riverians must also be ready to improve their performances to match the skills of those coming from other places.
We expect participants from Brazil, Trinidad and Tobago and elsewhere, including formidable teams with considerable experience. Our cultural heritage is a continuum, and when different traditions come together, they can produce something remarkable.
I believe Cross Riverians will be happy with what we are building. Our economy will also benefit, and there will be opportunities for people across the creative industries to engage and earn.
With anticipation rising for this year’s festival and major artists expected to perform, how prepared is the state to accommodate visitors? Are additional flights or ticket rebates being considered during the peak travel period
If you have followed our carnival and festival over the years, you will see that we have continued to upgrade them. Every year, we introduce new elements and activities to take the events to the next level.
This progress has not happened by accident. We carry out due diligence and make preparations to ensure that the events run smoothly. Last year, despite the number of visitors, I was not aware of any major negative incident. Many people regret missing the festival, and we want to make this year’s experience even better.
We expect significant interest. Almost all the hotels in Calabar are nearly fully booked, so we are exploring other accommodation options to provide additional space for visitors.
Security is also important. We want visitors to feel safe, enjoy the environment, and leave with positive experiences. We are planning side events and other activities to keep people engaged throughout their stay.
Regarding flights, those decisions largely rest with commercial operators. However, the state can help make journeys smoother and more convenient. We always work towards that, and I can assure you that nobody should be stranded.
Davido is expected to be here, alongside other artists and side events that will complement the festival. We want visitors to leave satisfied and spread the word about Cross River State.
Hospitality is one of our strengths. I do not want anyone to miss the festival and regret it for a long time. We will continue moving forward.
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