The aquatic splendor for which Lagos is known is about to witness an additional tourist landmark of seismic proportion hitherto unseen. The indication that massive tourist transformation is in the offing became more certain over the weekend when a team of highly influential business and powerful government group paid a visit to Ilase and Ibeshe/Ikaare, the location of the proposed Koko Beach Hotels and Resorts, a multi-billion Naira project designed to boost the tourism potentials of Nigeria in general.
The quality of the visiting team to the site speaks volume of the ambition of Lagos State Government and the business community, whom the state had said would play a pivotal role in the reinvigoration of tourism in Lagos State. Parading the wealthiest black man in the world, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele; Chairman of Geregu Power Plc, Femi Otedola; President Nigerian Football Association, Mr Amaju Pinnick; CEO & Chairman Arbico Construction, Adebisi Adebutu; CEO Flytime Promotions, Cecil Hammond and Founder & Promoter, KOKO Beach Hotels & Resorts, Richie Shittu; the team embarked on the trip to assess the stage of the project, about which they expressed satisfaction.
Handled by Arbico Construction, Koko Beach Hoteks & Resorts has been described as “an emerald, clasped between the calm of the Lagos, and the energy of the ocean.” There is no doubt that the project will be of immense value and benefits to fun-seeking tourists and the Lagos State Government.
The Sanwo-Olu-led administration, last year, unveiled a Tourism Master Plan and Policy which seeks to make Lagos State a top-five tourism hub in Africa. “Since we assumed office, over two years ago, we have taken decisive steps to explore the abundant possibilities in this very critical sector by allowing the practitioners and key stakeholders to be directly involved in every one of our policies,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said during the presentation of the master plan.
Sanwo-Olu said “the document will help in the attainment of a robust execution and implementation of short, medium and long-term plans in different areas and aspects of Tourism activities in alignment with our vision to revamp the tourism sector holistically”, adding that the waterways and beaches for tourism purposes, as well as restaurants, recreational parks, relaxation centres, will be exposed at home and abroad.
The Koko Beach project has been appraised as an expression of confidence in Governor Sanwo-Olu’s tenacity to ensure that Lagos State potentials in tourism are unlocked and harnessed for the betterment of the State.
