By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

|

Ondo State House of Assembly has pledged to support any initiative towards boosting tourism and community development in the State.

The Chairman, House Committee on Culture, Tourism, Security, Community Development and Cooperative Services, Ololade Gbegudu stated this when he led other members on a familiarisation visit to the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism , and the Ondo State Community and Social Development Agency in Akure.

At the State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Gbegudu lauded the Ministry for its continuous efforts in making the State a tourist center, adding that tourism is very important in boosting the revenue of the State.

Other members advised the Ministry to continue to look inward and add value to the sector, promising the Management of maximum support in the course of discharging their duties for overall development.

Also at the State community and social development, the committee commended the Agency for facilitating needed projects in communities.

While assuring the Agency of members’ continuous support, the Lawmakers implored the Management not to relent in their efforts and always carry them along.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr Wale Akinlosotu, who briefed the Committee on the activities and achievements of the Ministry, noted that it has continued formulate and implement policies to promote, propagate, and preserve the rich artistic cultural and tourism resources of the people of the State with a view to stimulate socio-economic growth.

He assured members that the Ministry will leave no stone unturned in leveraging the State on the world map of culture and tourism.

Akinlosotu while commending the Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his courage in declaring Araromi Seaside a tourist center, he noted that before the end of the year, there will be a ground breaking of the center.

Earlier,while presenting their activities , the General Manager of Community and Social Development Agency, Bosun Ogundipe informed that the Agency was established by the State Government in November, 2009 to facilitate World bank-assisted projects for improve access to development in communities.

The GM stated that the Agency has facilitated projects across the 18 Local Governments in the health, education, transport sectors including electrification and water projects, among others .