Taraba State Commissioner of Environment and Climate Change, Hajiya Aishat A. Barde has paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade John in Abuja.
The Commissioner, who was accompanied by the CEO of Sunvila Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Pam said the visit was to seek a partnership between Taraba State and the federal government.
Honourable Barde said the proposed partnership is about ‘Ecotourism and Natural Resource Management’ of the Gashaka Gumti National Park, adding that collaboration in certain projects that will encourage local tourism, reduce carbon footprint, and boost the economy of Taraba state.
The Honourable Commissioner, who emphasised the environmental, social, and economic benefits of the project, noted that it will help preserve its biodiversity while encouraging community engagements.
Hajiya Barde reiterated the unwavering commitment of Taraba State Governor to peaceful coexistence and economic prosperity of the people.
She said the Governor is making remarkable strides in his steadfast effort at ensuring security in the state while encouraging responsible travelling and safety of life and property across the state.
Honourable Barde reiterated that the project is of great importance to her office as she works tirelessly in providing solutions for mitigation and adaption of climate change impacts and protecting the environment for sustainability.
Earlier in her remarks, Honourable Lola Ade John expressed great delight in receiving the delegation as she spoke glowingly about the importance of collaboration between the federal government and state in establishing strategic innovation in the country.
The Minister, who disclosed that the Federal Government is enthusiastic about projects that encourage domestic tourism, spoke extensively on ecovillages and the need to incorporate bamboo farming and trading into the project mix.
She said her interest was to promote the President’s Renewed Hope agenda by ensuring that any tourist project in the country finds a way to create jobs for our teeming youth, sustain local livelihoods for women and generate revenue for our country.
The CEO of Sunvila, Mr. Pam, who also spoke on the benefits of the project to both Taraba state and the country at large, said the concerns of the Honourable Minister were well acknowledged.
Sunvila Nigeria is a joint venture between a Nigerian and Korean corporation to create smart complexes that will provide economic activities in the rural communities of the Taraba state after assessing the needs, environmental and social impacts of the project.