The Kaduna State Government said on Monday that it plans to make Kagoro hills a world-class tourist site, as part of efforts to improve the state’s revenue base.
The Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Dr Shehu Adamu, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna.
Adamu said that Gov. Nasir El-Rufai had visited the hills located in Kaura Local Government Area of the state and made a commitment to develop them, like Obudu hills in Cross River.
“The governor has directed that a contract for the access road to the hills be awarded between now and the end of the year.
“We have already entered into discussion with Julius Berger to design and build the access road,” he said.
The commissioner disclosed that the government had identified other sites for development into tourists’ sites.
Adamu said that Matsirga Waterfalls and Gen. Hassan Katsina Park (Gamji Gate) had been ”pencilled down” for development.
“Matsirga Waterfalls, which is about two-kilometre drive from Kafanchan in Jema’a Local Government Area, has the potential to be a huge revenue earner for the state.’’
The commissioner added that state-owned hotels and motels in the state would also be developed to international standard, to meet up with the demand of tourists.
“We are trying to improve the tourism sector by ensuring that hotels in the state are fully developed.
“We want to advertise and concession state hotels and motels so that developers can take over and develop them. We have given notices to that effect.
“We are doing all we can to make Kaduna State great.”