FCTA To Reposition Area Councils’ Tourism Potential

By: Austine Elemue

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, has said that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is poised to reposition the Area Councils as thriving tourism and investment hubs.

The Minister stated this at the maiden edition of the FCT Area Councils’ tourism and hospitality investment carnival and expo held at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture, Abuja.

Mahmoud, who was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary Social Development Secretariat, Bunmi Olowookere, emphasised that the event was aimed at showcasing and promoting investment opportunities and economic growth potential inherent in the various Area Councils of the FCT.

She observed that through the celebration of indigenous culture, business and innovation, the Administration is poised to ignite and revitalize the economy, foster inclusive community development and create pathways for sustainable wealth generation in the FCT, in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The Minister revealed that the Administration under the leadership of Nyesom Wike, had earlier received the mandate and directives from Mr. President to develop and open up the culture, tourism, and hospitality hubs of the FCT to compete favourably with other tourists and hospitality destinations across the World.

Mahmoud, acknowledged the role of the Area Councils as critical and strategic stakeholders; noting that most of the potential and investments opportunities to drive these directives are domiciled in the Area Councils.

She, therefore, commended the Tourism Department of the Social Development Secretariat for coming up with this initiative.

Mahmoud, however, assured that the Administration would continue to welcome ideas, support initiatives, engender collaborations and participate in exhibitions that would help to deepen and nurture the revitalization of the tourism and hospitality potential of the FCT as a preferred tourist and investment haven for visitors and investors in the continent.

On his part, the Mandate Secretary, FCT Social Development Secretariat, Aminu Ibrahim, said that the tourism sector has contributed to the GDP of most countries that have invested in the sector.

Represented by the Director of Administration and Finance, Dr. Nasiru Shidali, the Mandate Secretary, said that Abuja remains one of the fastest growing and developing cities that is opened for businesses and ripe with enormous opportunities waiting to be harnessed.

He affirmed that tourism and hospitality are unarguably one of the largest employers of labour.