Executive Chairman of Andoni local government area in Rivers, Chief Erastus Awortu has expressed determination to position ‘Andoni Area Council’ on the global business map using tourism.
Awortu made this known on Friday at Asarama, a Community in the area council during a Boat Rigatta which formed part of programs at the second edition of the Andoni Unity Festival.
Recall that the Unity festival initiated by the Awortu lead administration in 2021 had since served as a unifying factor across Communities in the area.
Expressing satisfaction in terms of participation, creativity and impact on local economy the Chairman said that the 2022 edition of the festival recorded visible improvements.
He noted that the edition with the theme: ‘Visit! Invest and Promote Andoni was part of continued efforts at attracting potential investors to the rich business and tourism opportunities in the area as well as position it for long term investments.
“Andoni is a place with huge tourism potentials, at this stage of our administration, we’ve set the ball rolling by ensuring sustainable peace as well as wooing investors to the area.
“The economic impact may be minimal right now but our target is to attract investors for long term investments in the area of tourism, hospitality and mechanized fishery,” he said.
The council boss also described the boat regatta as an emblem for territorial protection representing grassroots administration in a democratic setting.
“The idea of boat regatta is a clear representation of the various ‘War Canoes Houses’ which currently represents Political Wards in modern administrative demography thereby, straightening unity and grassroots administration.
“The boat regatta is a major part of our history and we’re preserving it through entertainment,” he said.
In the same vain, Mr Kagbang Ofiks a participant at the festival and Candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Andoni state Constituency also applauded the chairman’s determination towards improving the economy of the area.
Ofiks promised to sponsor a tourism bill if elected in 2023, according to him the tourism bill if passed would further enhance economic visibility of the area council.