Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke,
has come under attack for his statement that the Tourism master Plan
prepared under former president Olusegun Obasanjo, has gone obsolete.
The chairman of the Tourism master Plan committee, Dr. Franklin
Adejuwon, said it was unfortunate that the minister who worked
with the committee then could say that the document had gone obsolete.
The Minister had said during a media chat on the presentation of
Fascinating Nigeria brand in Lagos recently that the master plan
which was developed and launched about six or seven years ago has gone
slightly obsolete.
According to Dr. Adejuwon, “Nigerian Tourism master Plan which was
Obasanjo propelled and established with the support of the UNDP-UNWTO
has 15 years lasting plan implementation.
“I am a bit disappointed however by my avowed Minister of Tourism who
worked very hard with me at the cross River end to establish this
important road map now saying it is obsolete.”
Adejuwon added that if the minister is condemning the document could
as well condemn the existence of the Ministry of Tourism which
Obasanjo hinged its establishment on the development of a road map
on which it should thrive.
“I least expected he would be making such negative remarks when
till the present budget the ministry has been drawing down on the
master plan from government purse. Is there any explanation for this
contradiction?” he asked.
Adejuwon said this was the same document that the UNWTO applauded
as a means of improving the socio-economic conditions of the Nigerian
people and diversifying its economic base. He added that UNWTO said then
that the success of Nigeria’s tourism industry depended on its
sustainability.
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