By Luchee Igwe
The Anambra State Government says it would spend the sum of N2.5 billion to transform Agulu Lake into a leisure and entertainment centre to promote tourism and entertainment in the state.
Mr Don Onyenji, state Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment and Tourism, disclosed this during the 2022 Revised Budget defence, before the state House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation, in Awka.
Onyenji said the Agulu Lake project would be harnessed to international standards to attract local and international tourists to further boost tourism in the state.
He said: โThe present administration is committed to harnessing the rich tourism and cultural heritage of the state for both local and international tourists.
โThis is why Agulu Lake will be transformed into Anambra State Leisure and Entertainment Centre with boat ride, golf course, childrenโs park, entertainment hub and other fun and relaxation sites.
โI assure you that when this project is completed it will surpass what you have in Disney World and it will be a major source of income to boost the stateโs Internally Generated Revenue for the state.โ
The Commissioner said that the Ministry was currently recieving architectural designs and concepts from Architects to drive the Agulu Lake project.
Onyenji said that the ministry was also collating heritage sites in different communities in the state for development.
He urged the legislature to approve the ministryโs budget to help the ministry achieve its plans for the stateโs tourism and entertainment sector.
Reacting, Mr Smart Okafor, a Lawmaker representing Nnewi North Constituency, expressed dissatisfaction that there was no breakdown on how the N2.5 billion would be spent to carry out the Agulu Lake project.
โYour Ministry will have to go back and specify what the budget allocation will be spent on, to achieve a transparent and realistic budget.
โThe legislature want the ministry to succeed and achieve this project because Anambra is yet to have relaxation and fun centres to drive tourism,โ he said.
