Communities have been called upon to preserve heritage sites in their domains towards reaping the benefits of the tourism industry.

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia, made the call as the state government intensified efforts at tourism development.

He disclosed the state government’s willingness to collaborate with communities hosting tourism sites and other stakeholders to guard against defacing, mutilation, or destruction of heritage sites, describing them as great tourism assets.

Udofia, the new commissioner, spoke during a visit to the Mary Slessor Memorial Cairn in Use Ikot Oku, Ibiono Local Council Area, as part of his ongoing familiarisation tour of tourism sites in the state.

Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of his ministry, Mrs. Grace Akpan, Udofia emphasised that the ARISE Agenda of the state had identified the promotion of tourism as critical for sustainable development and that the state government was working tirelessly on the maintenance and preservation of all critical tourism assets, including heritage sites such as the Mary Slessor Memorial Cairn.

“The Umo Eno administration is committed to promoting and preserving Akwa Ibom’s rich cultural heritage,” Dr. Udofia stated and announced plans by Governor Umo Eno to undertake significant upgrades of tourism facilities and heritage sites for the benefit of tourists and the creation of job opportunities for the people of the state, particularly the host communities.

The state tourism boss acknowledged the rich tourism ecosystem of the state and expressed optimism that, as a tourism-oriented governor, Eno would reposition the tourism sector for increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as a major index for sustainable development.

He emphasised the importance of effective collaboration with host communities for the preservation of heritage sites geared towards bolstering the tourism sector of Akwa Ibom State.

While welcoming the commissioner to the Ibiono Ibom Heritage Site earlier in his office, the Chairman of Ibiono Ibom Local Council, Asuakak Umoh, highlighted the rich cultural heritage of Ibiono Ibom and expressed gratitude to Governor Umo Eno for prioritising tourism development.

During the tour, the delegation visited notable tourism sites in Ibiono Ibom LGA, including the Mary Slessor Memorial Cairn, Use Ikot Oku; the Okopedi Beach Market; the Traditional Rulers’ Council (TRC) complex at Ikpa Ibiono; and the Mary Slessor Vocational School, Ibiono Ibom.

In the commissioner’s entourage were the SSA to the Governor on Tourism (Hotels), the Publisher of The Mail Newspaper, Mr. Ifreke Nsewo, as well as directors and tour guides in the ministry, among others.