OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the commissioning of the Sunrise Waterpark is a testament to the vibrancy and potential in the tourism sector of the FCT.
Sunrise Waterpark, is a world-class recreational centre, reputed to be the biggest and most modern in West Africa.
The FCT Minister therefore congratulated the leadership of Sunrise and Nadeem Group of companies for their unwavering commitment and foresight in carrying out the project and ensuring its completion in the FCT.
He said with the establishment of the Waterpark, FCT residents will no longer have to travel out of the city and indeed out of the country to relax and have some fun, adding that the foreign exchange which would be saved will also be better utilized in other sectors of the Territory’s economy.
The Minister also called on FCT residents to visit the Waterpark and enjoy the pleasures it has to offer.
He equally advised the managers of the park to maintain a very high standard in its operations to encourage patronage from the residents of the city and indeed the neighbouring states.
He said, “I congratulate the sunrise group for establishing this world class project here in Abuja and I call on all residents to come down here and enjoy all that this park has to offer. We do not have to travel out of the city and indeed out of the country any longer in order to relax and have some fun. The foreign exchange saved can be better utilized here in Abuja”
Reflecting on the potential of the tourism sector as a major foreign exchange earner, the FCT Minister regretted that the sector has remained largely untapped and underdeveloped.
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has made the development of the tourism sector a priority under the Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that he has also sent out a clarion call to the private sector to harness the full potentials of tourism for the benefit of the country.
The Minister said the FCT has a lot of sites that have the potential of becoming great tourism destinations and called on the private sector to also consider investing in these sites to give them a new breadth of life.
According to the Minister, “The FCT has a lot of sites that have the potential of becoming great tourism sites, such as the fishing site in Yaba, where I understand the FCT fishing festival was being held, the Ushafa Pottery centre and not forgetting the millennium tower project.
“It would be a pleasure to see private sector investors coming to these areas and giving them a new breath of life. Our doors remain open for discussions on possible incentives for investors. We want to see Abuja grow and live up to its potentials in this sector”.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chairperson, Nadeem Group of Companies, Tania Khalaf, said the company, over the last decade, has followed the vision and drive of its founder, Engr. Saed Khalaf, towards groundbreaking quality and vision-driven construction designs, which is brought to bear in the Sunrise Waterpark.
Khalaf said the landscaping philosophy of the Waterpark was carefully considered to offer open views and showcase the unique beauty of Abuja city.
She said, “In fact, it is one of the rare Waterparks in the world that is built on a hill and that offers spectacular views of the city”.
Khalaf expressed the optimism that the recreational centre will foster family bonds and friendship as well create jobs and attract foreign investments to the FCT.
