The current state of ruins of Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort, Ikogosi Ekiti could have been avoided if government had not abandoned the resort for years.
This was the position of the General Manager of the Resort, Mr. Gbenga Adewale while conducting the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi round the tourist centre on Monday.
Adewale informed the governor that the Resort did not get any intervention fund from the immediate past administration for its running hence the dilapidated state of the facilities therein.
He disclosed that more than 20 rooms are currently inhabitable as the roofs are leaking while doors of many other rooms including the conference hall have spoilt.
Speaking with journalists after inspecting the Resort, Governor Fayemi expressed displeasure at the management of the tourist centre in the last four years despite the huge investment which his administration made to revive the warm spring resort in 2013 from its state of dilapidation.
Apparently miffed at the state of ruins, Dr Fayemi registered his disappointment that the immediate past administration did not care about the tourist centre which could have improved the revenue base of the State; stressing that such business entities should not be left in the hands of government to manage.
“You knew the state this place was at when I left in 2014 and the patronage it enjoyed from all and sundry from across the country. What I have met this morning is our heritage in ruin, it is our commonwealth in destruction, and it is unfortunate that we had a government that cared less whether this tourist attraction is left like this. This is not just an attraction; it is also a revenue earner for the state. The little I have seen, all this could have been avoided if this place had been properly managed. This was a first class place before we left, now everywhere is in shambles. Entities like this should not be left in the hands of government to manage”, Fayemi said.
The governor who noted that the resort now hardly enjoys patronage because of its state of dilapidation assured that his administration would ensure that Ikogosi warm spring resort returns to its pride of place as a first class tourist attraction in Nigeria.
He equally disclosed that efforts are in top gear to resuscitate Gossy Water bottling company which is now off market.
The tour of project sites also saw Fayemi visit Ekiti State Technical College, Ado Ekiti which is currently being renovated in partnership with the World Bank.
Fayemi interfaced with some students of the College who thanked the governor for influencing the renovation project; saying that the learning environment had been greatly improved.
“With this renovation, you have no excuse but to excel. This is for your benefit, your parents’ and Ekiti so that people can know that technical education is not inferior but as good as university education”, Fayemi charges.
Fayemi had on Monday visited Ikogosi-Erijiyan road, Igbara Odo Waterworks,Igbara Odo- Ikere road, Ilawe –Ikere road,Public Works Department Ado Ekiti, and Ureje Dam in Ado Ekiti.
Others are Oba Adejugbe General Hospital, Agric Olope market, Federal Housing Estate,Fountain Hotel, State Teaching Hospital Ado Ekiti, Gully erosion at Crownbiz- Ilokun road, Jimoh Aliu road, Ekiti Parapo Pavilion and Adunni Olayinka Civic Centre.
Last modified: November 5, 2018
