Community stakeholder and engineer Justus Ngerebara is urging government authorities and private investors to look beyond crude oil and leverage cultural tourism to drive economic growth and unity across Rivers State. Speaking at the event announcing the upcoming Isiama Homecoming Festival in Andoni Local Government Area on Saturday, Ngerebara lamented the state’s over-reliance on oil revenue, and advocated for diversification into tourism to foster a more sustainable and inclusive economy. Ngerebara’s vision emphasizes the potential of cultural tourism to showcase the rich heritage and traditions of Rivers State, attracting domestic and international tourists and boosting the local economy. The Isiama Homecoming Festival, scheduled for December, aims to celebrate the cultural identity of the Isiama community and promote eco-tourism in the region. According to Tribune Online, this is not the first time Ngerebara has advocated for tourism diversification. In 2023, he led a successful campaign to establish a cultural tourism zone in the Andoni-Opobo-Nkoro area, demonstrating the potential for such initiatives to generate income and stimulate development.
This call for tourism diversification comes at a critical time for Rivers State, which relies heavily on oil revenue and faces significant challenges in managing its natural resources sustainably. As climate change and declining oil prices pose threats to the state’s economy, the potential for alternative sources of income, such as tourism, is becoming increasingly important. By promoting eco-conservation alongside tourism, Ngerebara’s vision for the Isiama Homecoming Festival aims to strike a balance between economic growth and environmental protection, setting an example for other communities in the state.
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