Lagos lawmakers urge Sanwo-Olu to fully implement 2018 Tourism Law

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Tuesday called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure full implementation of the Tourism Law.

The lawmakers also called for the creation of a Tourism Agency as stipulated in the law.

They made these resolutions after a motion raised by the Chairman, House Committee On Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Fatai Oluwa.

The lawmakers who debated the motion in commemoration of World Tourism Day 2022 at a sitting presided over by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, stated that the purpose of the year celebration themed: ‘Rethinking Tourism’ is to focus on reviewing and redeveloping tourism after Coronavirus Pandemic.

Oluwa said Lagos State, being the Centre of Excellence, hopes to ensure that tourism potentials are explored in every area of the State.

“The House of Assembly passed the Lagos State Tourism Agency Law 2018 in order to develop and promote the State tourism investment, which aims to enhance revenue generation for the State. Unfortunately, this law is yet to be implemented,” he said.

He added that if the agency is established, it would encourage provision, improvement and marketing of tourism facilities in the State locally and Internationally.

In his contribution, Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Noheem Adams, said the main objective of the World Tourism Day is to celebrate and sensitise the world on the long term planning and development of tourism.

Adams said tourism globally has been found to be lucrative and impact positively on the lives of the residents and users of tourist destination, urging the government to pay more attention to tourism in the State.

Contributing, Hon. Temitope Adewale ( Ifako/Ijaiye 1) noted that Lagos State has lots of tourist sites, saying the sites are tools for Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and that most countries see tourism as sources of financing government.

“Since the House has passed a law to enhance tourism in the State, it is on point to call on the commissioner and all other agencies that are attached to tourism board with immediate effect to implement the law,” he said.

On his part, Hon. Victor Akande (Ojo 1), added that tourism helps create jobs and income generation, noting that through tourism, foreign investors can be attracted thus creating economic value for the State.

Hon. Desmond Elliot ( Surulere 1), commended Lagos for currently building film village, noting that the State still need to do more.