In a bid to harness the tourism potential of Ogun State for economic growth, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a private organisation to advance the state’s tourism potential.
The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private organisation named “Whatadeal”, a privately owned tourism, lifestyle, and technology company, to officially take over the management and activities of the Olumorock.
The development saw the Olumorock tourism attractions officially handed over to the private company by the Hon. Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Sesan Fagbayi, following a consensus reached by both parties.
Speaking after the MoU was signed at Olumorock, in the Ikija area of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the Hon. Commissioner stated that Public-Private Partnerships have become a necessity for further development and improved IGR for the state.
Fagbayi, who quoted the popular saying “government has no business in business,” posited that the PPP would drive more attractions, thereby also influencing the prospects of the tourist attractions beyond expectations.
Also, speaking, the Director General of Public Private Partnerships in Ogun, Barrister Dapo Oduwole, stated that the state government’s decision is important, adding that Ogun State is desirous of the best, and it must do its best to attract the best.
Oduwole noted that the investor is known for the best in tourism and is bringing their best to Ogun to ensure more money is coming into the state, while also improving the standard of Olumorock.
He explained that Ogun State deserves the best and improvement, boasting that PPP would continue to create an enabling environment for investors from all over the world to invest in Ogun’s assets.
“Public Private Partnerships would continue to create an enabling environment for investors to come from all over the world to invest in our assets and our public enterprise in Ogun State,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, the managing director of Whatadeal, Mr Obafela Bank-Olemoh, disclosed the firm’s readiness to increase patronage of the Olumorock tourism attractions centres beyond the local level, stating that standards would change from the day of taking over.
He explained that the firm’s objective is to ensure that anyone visiting Nigeria visits Olumorock, making it one of the three reasons a foreigner would visit Nigeria.
Bank-olemoh noted that Olumorock is one of the great icons in Nigeria and Africa, stressing that the centre would include reality centres, game arcades, and other fun fairs.
