The Cross River State Government has approved the release of N18 billion for the rehabilitation and upgrade of major tourism assets, including the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort, Marina Resort, Obudu Mountain Resort, and Kwa Falls.
The approval was announced by Thomas Ikpeme, Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Tourism Development, in a statement on Thursday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Ikpeme said the funding is part of the governor’s “Season of Sweetness” initiative, which seeks to revive the state’s tourism infrastructure, promote cultural heritage, and stimulate economic growth.
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The initiative is central to the administration’s wider goal of repositioning Cross River as a premier tourism destination in Nigeria and the West African region.
“Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has approved the release of N18 billion to boost tourism infrastructure and reposition the state as a leading destination in Nigeria and West Africa.
“The state government said the fund would be used for the rehabilitation and upgrade of key tourism assets, including the Obudu Mountain Resort, Kwa Falls, Marina Resort, and the Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort.
“The Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism Development, Mr Thomas Ikpeme, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday. Ikpeme said the investment forms part of the administration’s tourism transformation agenda under the “Season of Sweetness” initiative,” the NAN report read in part.
Ikpeme noted that the N18 billion allocation would also cover the remodeling of Amber Tinapa Hotel and Studio Tinapa, along with the construction of a new pier harbor to boost waterfront tourism.
Part of the funding, he said, would go toward developing Axari Towers, a project aimed at expanding the state’s lodging capacity ahead of the 20th anniversary of the Calabar Carnival in December 2025. The government’s focus on Axari Towers, he explained, is intended to support the hosting of major events and meet rising demand for hotel accommodation.
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As part of its wider tourism promotion drive, the Cross River State government plans to roll out the “Experience Calabar” campaign and establish a Heritage Market to showcase local crafts, arts, and cultural heritage.
- The initiative also includes efforts to strengthen transportation and business tourism infrastructure.
- The government has acquired two CRJ 1000 aircraft to expand the fleet of Cally Air, the state-owned airline operated in partnership with Aero Contractors and ValueJet, which already deploys Boeing 737s. In addition, upgrades are ongoing at both the Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC) and the Calabar Cultural Centre to attract conferences and major events.
- Governor Bassey Otu stressed that the initiative goes beyond physical infrastructure, describing it as a long-term investment in the people, culture, and economic future of Cross River.
The government expects the transformation programme to create jobs, draw private-sector investment, and promote community-based tourism by enhancing accessibility, increasing accommodation options, and deepening local participation in the tourism value chain.
What great feats for Crossiverians.Sweet Prince,we love you all keep it up and God will continue to bless you richly as you take cross River State our dear and only state to greater heights.Remain bless your excellency.
Better days ahead for His Excellency. Sweet Prince. This is a true political will.