By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – A security expert in Nigeria has lamented the effect of insecurity on the tourism sector in Nigeria, saying that Government should urgently intervene in order for the nation to harness the potentials inherent in the industry.
The expert was speaking on the occasion of the World Tourism Day, advising Government to pay more attention on the menace of insecurity which has hampered the development of the tourism industry with the aim to address it.
Mr. Inko-tariah Ipalibo the Managing Director and Chief Executive, Tarmac Security Ltd. while speaking with our correspondent in Jos Wednesday, hinted that tourism is a major revenue earner and a prime mover of the economies of many nations the world over.
Ipalibo who is also the Secretary General of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigera (ALPSPN), Plateau chapter, said for tourism to thrive, its development will depends largely on the circumstances of lasting peace and security.
He revealed that the Plateau State Government would have lost billions of naira due to the insecurity challenges that has bedeviled the State from 2001 till date.
“Insecurity has grossly affected tourism in Plateau and if government does not see tourism as a source of business, it will not give it the desired attention”, he said.
The Tarmac boss however disclosed that the efforts of security agencies are insufficient in tackling the lingering insecurity in the State, saying that the hinterlands where most of the attacks occurred are not adequately manned by security personnel.
He acknowledged that the regular security operatives have done their best, but argued that more needs to be done as safety cannot be compromised.
Proffering solution to the menace, Ipalibo said government must explore the relevance of Private Security Companies in the country to compliment their efforts, adding that security guards are deployed directly to areas where citizens converge daily for business activities.
“Private Security comes in to compliment the efforts of conventional security operatives, as you will agree with me that the demand for security is very high. We are established to fill in the gap and if we are fully tapped, we will do more to curb the embarrassing security challenges in the country”, he said.
Ipalibo recommended that government must be proactive in dealing with security issues and threats, through modern methods of intelligence gathering and sharing among security personnel, training, logistics, motivation, and deploying advanced technology in managing security challenges.
Our correspondent reports that until recently, plethora of explanations on the crawling pace of tourism development in Nigeria tends to pay petite attention to the centrality of security to tourism development.
However, available data on the level and dimensions of insecurity in Plateau revealed an increase over time, which constitutes serious threat to lives and properties, hinders tourism development as well as business activities and discourages local and foreign investors.