N1.2 trillion can be earned yearly from tourism, provided that the necessary infrastructure is developed in Nigeria. According to the former President of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN), Samuel Nzekwe, government should make substantial capital allocation to cultivate infrastructure like roads, power supply and adequate security.
Speaking on Monday in Lagos, Mr. Nzekwe particularly noted, “All over the world, tourism is a big revenue earner to governments and infrastructure can create the enabling environment for this to happen.
“Nigeria is capable of generating a quarter of its total annual revenue from tourism, if the sector is well managed,” he said.
Apart from generating revenue, tourism could create employment opportunities for youth and reduce the crime rate.
“Provision of basic infrastructure would bring about Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).
“When people are coming into a country, they are able to see the available business opportunities, ” Mr. Nzekwe added.
With its natural endowments, Nigeria could be a great tourists’ destination in the world, and by promoting tourism, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the nation would improve because there would be increased productivity.
Mr. Nzekwe also advised the Federal government to start preparing the 2014 budget in earnest and make it as comprehensive as possible; noting that the late passage of the budget could weaken its performance.
He further said that government should provide all the necessary schedules to back up the budget for easy passage by the National Assembly. He said that apart from allocating substantial money to capital expenditures, the National Assembly should improve on its oversight functions.
Mr. Nzekwe urged the National Assembly to ensure that funds meant for capital projects, were effectively utilised to improve the economy.
The accountant also advised government to reduce recurrent expenditures to check wastage.
Nigeria can generate more than that but the problem is that the money would be stolen or misused. Nigerians are very insincere people, fake lives.
Infrastructure is the problems Nigeria lack most,
Poor facilities in Nigeria is the cause of our male and female scattered all over the world to picture other beautiful countries,
If our present leaders can turn our country into a beautiful and tourism nation,
we the youth of Nigeria will recognized them as our heroes.