SSA on Tourism Commends Gov. Diri for Linking Rural Communities to the State Capital by Road
By Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa, Trek Africa Newspaper
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Tourism, Mr Piriye Kiyaramo has commended Governor Douye Diri for promoting what he described as accessible tourism by linking several rural communities to Yenagoa, the state capital.
Mr Kiyaramo made the commendation at the commissioning of a footbridge at Akenfa 1 in Yenagoa local government area constructed by an entrepreneur, Mr Tuebi Sapere-Obi, adding that the wooden footbridge across the Epie Creek, linking the Imbiama/Yenagoa road will further boost domestic tourism.
He explained that accessible tourism enables all persons including visitors and residents to participate in and enjoy the tourism experiences in a particular destination, informing that the access created through link footbridge will enhance the quality of tourism services for all residents and tourists, as well as improve the quality of life in the locality.
According to the governor’s aide, accessible tourism is the ongoing endeavour to ensure that tourist destinations, products and services are accessible to all persons, regardless of their physical limitations, disabilities or age.
“Accessibility is a central element of responsible and sustainable development policy. It is both a human rights imperative, as well as provides exceptional business opportunities at the destination.
Development of accessible tourism requires that tourist destinations go beyond ad-hoc services, to adopting the principle of universal design, ensuring that all persons, regardless of their physical or cognitive needs, are able to use and enjoy the available amenities in an equitable and sustainable manner.
Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the governor on Religion, Rev. Dowelled Vincent, assured that with the speed Governor Douye Diri is going road construction to link rural communities across the state, just in a short while many more rural communities will be accessible by road.
Earlier, the Director of TEOET Island Resort Okutukutu, Mr. Tuebi Sapere-Obi, who constructed the new Akenfa 1 footbridge explained that he saw the challenge being faced by residents of the area and came up with the idea of constructing the wooden footbridge to ease transportation needs of communities to boost commercial activities in the area for a token fee.
He thanked the chiefs, the youths and landowners of the community for their cooperation and encouragement while the project was on.
The highpoint of the event was the cutting of the tape for the commissioning by the SSA to the governor on Religion, Rev. Dowell Vincent, supported by the SSA on Tourism. Among dignitaries that graced the event was a former Secretary to Bayelsa State Government (SSG), Amb. Senator Felix Oboro and his amiable wife among others.
