By Richard Akintade, Osogbo
The Osun State Government is pursuing a comprehensive upgrade of tourist sites in Osun state including the popular Erin Ijesha Water Falls as part of its comprehensive tourism agenda.
The State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi made the disclosure on Tuesday in response to a recent viral video on the state of Erin Ijesha Water Falls, announcing that the government is implementing a systemic upgrade after decades of neglect by previous administrations.
The Commissioner noted that the tourism infrastructure upgrade plan covers the Osun groove, Owala inland beach resort in Olorunda local Government, Sango Timi Shrine in Ede Local Government, Ayunkunnugba water falls in Oke-Ila Orangun, in Ifedayo local Government and other cultural sites.
On the state of the tourist sites in Osun, particularly Erin Ijesha Water Falls in Oriade local government, Governor Adeleke directed the fast tracking of ongoing renewal initiatives for the site which include the formation of a tripartite committee for the management of the site among others.
Hon Alimi who noted that the entire management of Erin-Ijesha Waterfall site is currently under the purview of Erin Ijesha community said the status quo is meant to ensure localisation and overall local content to boost the local cultural and tourism industry.
The Commissioner further conveyed the directive of the Governor that a tripartite meeting between the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Ministry of Information and Public Enlightenment and the leaders of Erin-Ijesa Community be held tomorrow, Wednesday 14th August,2024, to fashion out how to further maintain the environment and come up with an acceptable template that will benefit all interests involved.
“ I want to assure the general public that the Osun State government under Governor Ademola Adeleke has a comprehensive tourism agenda which covers all our cultural and tourism sites. The meeting tomorrow will increase the phase of reforms to satisfy the aspirations of the community and tourism community”, Hon Alimi posited.
He reassured the public that Osun government is passionate about tourism, and has outlined it as one of its five point agenda, noting that the state is open to public private partnership