Taraba’s 2500 hectares multi-billion agro-ecotourism project set for take off

With Okorie Uguru

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The Taraba State government’s 2500 hectares agro-ecotourism project sited across 12 communities in the state is set for takeoff.

Already, construction of African-themed ecofriendly accommodation facilities is on in some of the sites.  Also, leisure facilities such as quad bikes, boats, and Jet Ski are available in some of the sites.

The tourism project, the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Ecotourism Resorts, is a public-partnership project in which the state government approved 12 sites across the state. They include: the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Ecotourism Heritage Resort, Zangon Kombi just few kilometres from the Danbaba Suntai Airport, Jalingo; the La Campagne Tropicana Nwonyo Lake Resort, Ibi, the La Campagne Tropicana Rest Area, Zangon Kombi, the La Campagne Rest Area Mahula Bali, the La Campagne Tropicana Rest Area, Gayam, Gashaka, the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Ecotourism Heritage Resort Mayo Selb, Gashaka, the La Campagne Tropicana Rest Area Biyudasisi, Mambilla, the La Campagne Tropicana Agro-Tourism Heritage Resort Abong Kurmi council area, the La Campagne Tropicana Eco-Tourism Resort Nagadasda, the La Campagne Tropicana Rest Area Gurgu Mambilla, the La Campagne Tropicana Kwararafa Rest Area Gasol.

The project execution is carried out  in partnership with the La Campagne Tropicana Resort Group, builders of the world’s first African themed resort brand. When completed, the resorts will transform the state into one of the leading tourist destinations in Nigeria in terms of tourist traffic.

The state governor, Agbu Kefas, embarked on the project as a means of economic transformation for the state. It encompasses leisure, ecotourism, and agriculture.   The ambitious agro- ecotourism project, according to the founder of La Campagne Tropicana,  Otunba Wanle Akinboboye,  aims at injecting funds into the state’s economy, accelerate development, create massive job opportunities for youths and help the state’s economic growth.

While speaking on the project during a tour of one of the sites, Governor Agbu Kefas expressed his satisfaction with the pace of development. He further said: “By the grace of God, Taraba will become a centre for peace and unity, food, security and everything that is good. I assure you that we will give all the necessary support so that we can turn this state into a tourist destination.”

Wanle Akinboboye, the founder of the La Campagne Tropicana group, said he is excited about the project. He said: “You know our young people today are afraid of going into the farm because the representation of farming is that of poverty, suffering and pain, so, no kid wants to partake in that. What we have created here is heritage, ecotourism, hospitality…using tourism to sell entertainment and agriculture, and using agriculture to sell tourism. It is the first time we will see a state government partnering with a private sector, giving 2500 hectares of land strictly for the return of people of African descent, lovers of Africa throughout the world to come and connect with the continent. When that happens, which is happening now, it will change the entire dynamics of Africans coming back to buy holiday homes around the resort that would generate money for them on a daily basis.”