On making Lagos a tourist destination

am writing this letter to the Lagos State governor because I know that Lagos is blessed with abundant natural resources. I am further motivated because it is a peaceful city devoid of terrorism and banditry, a development which can promote tourism.

The advantages of tourism, as a foreign exchange earner, over other revenue generating indices, are already known and too numerous to mention here.

The scope of tourism I am envisaging is one which will transform the city and possibly make it more popular or at least as popular as Dubai. It is going to be a 10-year development plan that would see to the development of many tourism sites within the city or some sites spread across the various local government areas since they are not far apart.

In view of the gigantic nature of the project, the state’s internally generated revenue alone cannot accomplish the huge task. But there is no need for worry as reading about the Dubai experience will give the governor the necessary confidence needed to start this massive revenue generating project.

It is a known fact that Dubai is one of the seven emirates in United Arab Emirates, but was not blessed with oil wealth as its sister emirates and, therefore, was not as rich and popular as others. Yet, with determination they are where they are today.

Success or development is not a citizen of any country neither is under-development an inheritance of a certain group but a product of one’s mindset and not thinking outside the box. Europe, USA, China and the Asian Tigers became industrialized when they decided to say no to the old ways of doing things.

I am aware that Governor Jide Sanwo-Olu came into office with certain promises for Lagosians. That notwithstanding, this emancipation project could be taken side by side with his initial promises to the people since the money for this project is expected to be sourced through banks.  The borrowed money, I assure you, will be paid comfortably when the dividends of tourism start yielding results.

There is no telling what both government and Lagosians stand to enjoy from a tourism driven economy which is permanent as against an oil dependent economy which could dry up after a while. The first concrete step to actualizing this project is to pay an official visit to the King of Dubai who should acquaint the governor with the consultants that planned the city and the blue print for the project. The Lagos project does not necessarily have to follow the same pattern as Dubai. Both the chaotic Lagos traffic and city transportation would be x-rayed under the project. I hope this idea will be considered.

Ogwuche Matthias wrote from Nasarawa State.