Taraba State Commissioner of Environment and Climate Change, Hajia Aishat A. Barde, paid a courtesy visit to the Minister of Tourism, Lola Ade John, on Monday, March 11, 2024. Barde visited alongside the CEO of Sunvila Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Pam.
The visit was to establish a relationship between the Federal Ministry and the State Government, and to seek a collaboration on certain projects that will encourage local tourism, reduce carbon footprint, and boost the economy of the state.
The partnership proposed is about “Ecotourism and Natural Resource Management” of the Gashaka Gumti National Park. Barde underlined the various environmental, social, and economic benefits of the project, especially on its ability to preserve its biodiversity while encouraging community engagements.
She spoke on the governor’s steadfast effort in ensuring security in the state while encouraging responsible travelling and safety of life within the state.
The Minister, Ms John, was delighted to receive the delegation as she spoke about the importance of federal and state collaborations in establishing strategic innovation in the country. Her enthusiasm to developing projects that encourages domestic tourism was well felt as she spoke extensively on ecovillages and incorporating bamboo farming and trading into the mix. She stated that her interests are to ensure that any tourism project should find a way to create jobs, sustain local livelihoods and generate revenue.
The CEO of Sunvila, Mr. Pam, also spoke on the various benefits of the project to the state and the country at large and confirmed that the concerns of the Minister were well acknowledged.
Sunvila Nigeria is a joint venture involving a Nigerian and Korean corporation to create smart complexes that will provide economic activities in the rural communities of the state after assessing the needs, environmental and social impacts of the project.
Barde reiterated that the project is of considerable importance to her office as she works towards providing solutions in mitigating and adapting to climate change impacts and protecting the environment at large.
