By Idris Olukoya
Lagos – Stakeholders in the tourism industry on Thursday advised the Federal Government to appoint technocrats to head its tourism agency.
They spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos following the removal of the National Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)’s Director–General, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, from office by the Federal Government on Wednesday.
Mr Ini Akpabio, the immediate past National Deputy President of Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), said that tourism industry had not developed to the position it was expected to be by now.
He said that since the immediate past director general, Sally Mbanefo, was appointed as the head of the corporation, the sector had experienced little development which was below expectation.
“The past D-G was promoting domestic tourism which is a good step but she lacked the strategies needed to drive the sector to greater heights.
“Mbanefo had done her best in the little way she could to the development of the sector; but the government should learn from it by appointing the right person to lift the sector up,” he said.
He commended her for her contributions to the development of the industry because her background was not tourism related but still tried her best.
Akpabio urged the government to ensure that technocrats were brought into governance to stabilise the sector and the country through critical economic and developmental strategies.
He added that the country was in not only suffering from leadership recession but economic recession.
If the right people were put in the right positions, the economy would stabilise and perform favourably, he said.
“Good leadership through placement of qualified professionals in appropriate institutions of governance and sound leadership recruitment system can solve the country’s immense challenges, ” he said.
Also, Mrs Ayo Olowoporoku, the Managing Director of Hotels Support Group, told NAN that the government had taken the right decision by removing the Mbanefo as NTDC’s D-G.
She said that the industry had not experienced development since Mbanefo assumption of office in 2013.
“A lot is expected from her but little was achieved by her which was not up to 30 per cent of what was expected of her.
“Mbanefo is not a tourism practitioner, she had no tourism background. She had contributed in her own little way, the industry needs to move on, “she said.
Olowoporoku suggested that the Federal Government should appoint the right persons into positions of authority.
Such persons should work collectively with stakeholders in areas of their operations when it comes to decision making, she said.
She added that the government should fix the major roads leading to tourism sites and create an enabling environment for investors.
She said the government should believe in tourism sector as a major source of income.
Olowoporoku said that many countries such as: Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, France, United Kingdom, Dubai, US had grown their own economies through tourism.
She said that Nigeria could equally stabilise and develop its economy through tourism as well.
This could be achieved if our governments would belief in the sector by developing its potentialitiesand putting the round pegs in round holes, she said..
Also, Mr Ganiyu Tarzan, the President of Association of Tourists Boat and Water Transportation of Nigeria (ATBOWATN), said that the economy could be revived and stabilised through strategic approach.
Tarzan, therefore, urged the government to do the needful by shunning politics but develop the relevant sectors that include tourism.
“Government should also not be sentimental by appointing people to head its agencies based on politics rather it should be on merits, ” he said
