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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to fast-track the development of the state\'s tourism and creative economy, assuring that visible results will be achieved within four months after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Cultural Project.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance on Monday while receiving the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musa Musawa, who visited Rivers State for the formal signing of the partnership agreement aimed at boosting tourism, culture and the creative industry across selected states.
The governor said his administration had already taken deliberate steps to position Rivers as a major tourism destination through strategic investments, including the ongoing development of a new tourist beach in partnership with Landmark. He disclosed that the first phase of the project would be inaugurated in December for public use.
Fubara also highlighted the economic importance of the Oyorokoto Road project in Andoni Local Government Area, explaining that the road would unlock the area\'s enormous tourism potential. He described Oyorokoto as home to one of Nigeria\'s finest beaches and noted that the project had also exposed rich wildlife habitats capable of attracting visitors and investors.
According to the governor, sustainable economic growth requires investments beyond conventional infrastructure such as roads and hospitals, stressing that tourism, entertainment and hospitality remain major revenue generators for many developed economies. He said his administration was determined to transform Rivers into a leading tourism hub capable of competing with renowned international destinations.
\"If we cannot go to Dubai, let us build our own Dubai in Rivers State. If we cannot go to Qatar or Spain, let us create our own world-class destination in Oyorokoto,\" the governor said.
Fubara welcomed Rivers State\'s inclusion in the Federal Government\'s Renewed Hope Cultural Project and assured the minister that the partnership would move beyond paperwork to practical implementation. He invited the minister to return in four months to witness the progress made under the agreement.
The governor expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for selecting Rivers as one of the pilot states for the initiative, describing the collaboration as a significant opportunity to expand the state\'s tourism potential while supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu\'s Renewed Hope Agenda through projects that stimulate economic growth and job creation.
Earlier, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hanatu Musa Musawa, commended Governor Fubara for embracing the initiative and demonstrating a strong commitment to developing the tourism sector. She explained that the Renewed Hope Cultural Project was established to diversify Nigeria\'s economy, create employment opportunities and deepen collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments.
Musawa expressed satisfaction with the progress already recorded by the Rivers State Government in tourism development and assured that her ministry would work closely with the state to ensure the successful implementation of the project, making Rivers one of the leading beneficiaries of the national tourism and creative economy agenda.
