On July 21, 2021, the Lagos State government unveiled to the public its tourism master-plan. The unveiling done by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, was a welcome development, insisted many stakeholders then. Also then, the governor was excited that the framework on which the tourism industry will thrive has been put in place.
Of course, the master-plan, which was subjected to rigorous review by experts, offers beyond the operational framework for the sector, to opening up the state for investments in the sector.
Sadly, four years after the unveiling, the masterplan, which would have seen a more vibrant tourism sector, considering the state’s potential, is yet to be fully implemented.
Based on the above, Solomon Saanu Bonu, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly and chairman, House Committee on Tourism and Culture, who also disclosed the development to the members of the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), in his office recently, equally called for the full implementation of the masterplan.
The lawmaker, who also disclosed that the master-plan was passed by the state House of Assembly and signed into law, noted that for the state’s tourism industry to grow to the desired level, there is a critical need for effective implementation of the Lagos State Tourism Master Plan.
Bonu, who represents Badagry 1 Constituency in the state House of Assembly, is making a case for the implantation of the masterplan, amid a plan.
So far, he has called on all the past permanent secretaries and directors in the state’s Ministry of Tourism to support his efforts at putting the masterplan into use.
“I asked them to come so that we could look into how to implement the master-plan. I was in the ministry then when we launched the masterplan. But we could see that it is not being implemented now. You cannot run tourism without a master-plan, and I give credit to those who helped us to package the master-plan. I have a copy here,” Bonu said.
The lawmaker has also come up with a programme, set up a committee and has kick-started the process to implementation. “Currently, I am in talks with the governor to give all the approval. Those who have knowledge about it should be brought on board,” he said.
“Tourism is all about transportation, is that being taken care of? We have agro-tourism, medical tourism and so on. How are they being handled? Tourism goes beyond putting a musician on stage and all that. What is the return on investment? By the weekend, come to the park in front of the assembly complex, it is taken over by fun seekers. What are we deriving from that? All these are embedded in the state’s tourism masterplan; the implementation must start now.”
Speaking further, he insisted that a strategic collaboration with the private sector is a good way to start as well as to maximise the return on investment in tourism.
“Partnerships are essential to leverage private sector expertise, resources, and to ensure that tourism initiatives are not only well-funded but also efficiently managed,” he said.
According to him, by fostering a conducive environment for private sector involvement, Lagos can enhance its tourism infrastructure, attract more visitors, and ultimately boost the state’s economy.
For him, accountability and transparency in budget allocation and spending are necessary for the masterplan to work, while regular audits and financial reporting are crucial to ensure that funds are utilised effectively, delivering tangible benefits to the state’s tourism landscape.
But he also called for increased budgetary support for tourism, stressing that a well-funded tourism sector can become a significant economic driver for Lagos State.
