Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi; being conducted round the Ikogosi Warm Spring Resort by the General Manager, Mr Gbenga Adewale; during the Governor’s tour of facilities at the resort, in Ikogosi-Ekiti…on Monday
Ekiti
State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has decried the poor state of the
Ikogosi Warm Spring Resorts, owing to deliberate abandonment of the
facility by the immediate past administration.
Governor
Fayemi who visited the resort on Monday, as he commenced a week-long
tour of project sites and infrastructure across the state, said the
dilapidated state he met the resort could have been averted if
government had shown a little consideration for tourism development
and continuity of projects that have direct impact on the people.
Speaking
with journalists after inspecting the Resort, Governor Fayemi
expressed displeasure at the management of the tourist centre in the
last four years despite the huge investment which his administration
committed to the revival of the resort in 2013.
He
said the immediate past administration did not care about the tourism
centre which could have improved the revenue base of the State.
“You
knew the state this place was at when I left in 2014 and the
patronage it enjoyed from all and sundry from across the country.
What I have met this morning is our heritage in ruin, it is our
commonwealth in destruction, and it is unfortunate that we had a
government that cared less whether this tourist attraction is left
like this.
“This
is not just an attraction; it is also a revenue earner for the state.
The little I have seen, all this could have been avoided if this
place had been properly managed. This was a first class place before
we left, now everywhere is in shambles. Entities like this should not
be left in the hands of government to manage”, Fayemi said.
The
General Manager of the Resort, Mr. Gbenga Adewale, while conducting
the State Governore Fayemi round the tourist centre, cited government
neglect for the situation.
Adewale
informed the community has been without power supply for the past
four years, adding that the Resort did not get any
intervention fund from the immediate past administration for its
running hence the dilapidated state of the facilities.
He
disclosed that more than 20 rooms and the conference hall are
currently inhabitable owing to different issues.
Dr
Fayemi who noted that the resort now hardly enjoys patronage because
of its state of dilapidation assured that his administration would
ensure that Ikogosi warm spring resort returns to its pride of place
as a first class tourist attraction in Nigeria.
The
Governor equally disclosed that efforts were in top gear to
resuscitate Gossy Water Bottling Company which is now off market. He
stated this after inspecting facilities at the water bottling company
located within the community.
He
said: “Ekiti State may not be a very rich state, but the little
money we have must be put to more profitable use. We shall ensure
that this resort return to its position as a destination
of choice for tourism. Efforts are also in top gear to resuscitate
Spring Water Bottling Company.
“Aside
making life more pleasurable for our people, these two entities also
generate revenue for the state and also provide employment for our
people. So, we must do something and fast too, to ensure we put them
back to life”, the governor added.
The
tour of project sites also saw Fayemi visit Ekiti State Technical
College, Ado Ekiti which is currently being renovated in partnership
with the World Bank.
Other
project sites and infrastructure visited by the Governor include:
the Ikogosi-Erijiyan road; Igbara Odo Water works; Igbara
Odo- Ikere road; Ilawe –Ikere road; Public Works Department Ado
Ekiti; Ureje Dam in Ado Ekiti and the Oba Adejuyigbe Hospital in
Ado-Ekiti.
Others
are: Agric Olope market, Federal Housing Estate; Fountain Hotel,
State Teaching Hospital Ado Ekiti, Gully erosion at Crownbiz-
Ilokun road, Jimoh Aliu road, Ekiti Parapo Pavilion and Adunni
Olayinka Civic Centre.
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