The Bayelsa State Governor has said that the Niger Delta region is in dire need of more eco-resorts.
The governor called on investors and estate developers in the region to put their funds into ecotourism projects as a way of promoting conservation education in the Niger Delta region.
Diri spoke through his Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Tourism, Mr. Piriye Kiyaramo the aide when visited the Managing Director of TEOET Island Eco-resort at Okutukutu community in Yenagoa local government area of Bayelsa State, Mr. Tuebi Sapere-Obi, as part his routine visits to hospitality facilities in the state.
He said investing in environment friendly accommodation facilities such as eco-lodges in rural settings will help to conserve the natural environment and the cultural assets of the people. He reiterated that the Niger Delta environment needed more of ecolodges than conventional hotel facilities.
The governor’s aide noted that the pristine environment and breathtaking views found in the Niger Delta present investment opportunities to property developers and would-be investors in the hospitality sector to explore.
According to the SSA, one of the best ways to give back to host communities in the Niger Delta, was to invest in eco-friendly projects such as ecolodges where most of the construction materials are sourced locally.
He said in addition to creating new jobs in the host communities, ecotourism activities and practices will also stimulate the local economy through wealth creation.
The governor’s aide further explained that affordable ecolodge would attract more visitors to rural communities, pointing out that the more visitors a community attracts will translate to more businesses for the local tourism enterprises.
Earlier, the Managing Director of TEOET Island Eco-resort, Mr. Tuebi Sapere-Obi had explained that his initial plan after his unsuccessful bid to get employed after obtaining a Bachelor Degree in Building Technology was to build a bridge across the Epie-creek to collect toll from pedestrians, saying that access was a challenge of residents.
Mr Sapere-Obi said he later discovered a small island at the middle of the Epie-creek, which he bought and developed a suspended wooden relaxation because of the unique and airy location.
According the MD, TEOET Island Eco-resort now hosts many businesses, ranging from a bar, guest house, POS/daily savings, betshop, barbers shop, beauty salon, water sales and phone charging points, restaurant, indomee corner, shawarma, bread, among others.