The problem with Tinapa - Tourism Minister

By Tayo Ligali - 13.04.2008

THE Minister of Tourism, Adetokunbo Kayode, has revealed that Tinapa’s inability to commence operations was as a result of the conflict between the Federal Ministry of Commerce and the Nigeria Customs.

The Minister made this disclosure in Abuja on Wednesday during an exclusive chat with Sunday Tribune.

He explained that, “when Tinapa was being constructed, the customs was left out so, there was regulatory and structural challenge.

He, however, said that the area of conflict is being looked into. The government is very interested in getting the project off ground, so the areas of conflicts are being fine-tuned.

Recently, we had a meeting, in attendance were the Minister of Commerce, representative of the minister of Finance, M.D. of Tinapa, M.D. of NEPZA, controller of customs and other stakeholders because the government is very serious to get it off ground.

“The president has also directed the Attorney General to look into the matter, which he is already doing”, he said.

The Minister who lauded the initiative of the Cross Rivers State Government urged other states to emulate it.

“I am personally proud of the achievements of the Cross Rivers State Government and I want every state governor to go to Tinapa and see what the state can do to copy it.

We need Tinapa in every state, especially the border states” he said.

Prince Kayode expressed optimism that “within the next two to three weeks, we should have made a serious breakthrough in resolving the legal conflicts between the Federal Ministry of Commerce on one hand and the Customs. After all, all of us are working for the good of our economy”.

The Minister also revealed that his ministry is planning to develop tourism free zones.

“Tourism free zones would be like Tinapa, like a business free zone, you would not pay any duty. You would not pay taxes in many areas.

“We are working on that and we have written a letter to the Federal Ministry of Commerce and the Minister is very excited.

“The government is ready to give all the support because when business booms, government gains because the boom will create more employment and the multiplier effect will spread to all other parts of the country and taxes would be coming in”, he disclosed.

Speaking further, he explained that, “In Abuja, we are working closely with the minister. On Wednesday, I spoke with Segun Awolowo, who is the secretary in charge of tourism and other things.

“They are developing the Abuja mall, the huge central area development which would have shops, hotel and everything.

“It is not expected, any where in the world that you’ll give land free of charge but let me tell you, if it is a solid proposal that would bring in billions of naira investment to Abuja, the minister can even go to that length because it makes sense.

“We are in a hurry to put facilities in place because we have lost time. What we are doing now is what we should have done in 1970 and we had the money.

“Nigeria was better than China in 1970, so we are ready to do whatever we can do”, he submitted.