The Comptroller-General of Immigration, Mr David Parradang has lauded the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo for evolving a sustainable vision needed to kick –start the blossoming of the tourism sector in Nigeria.
Mr Parradang who received Mrs Mbanefo and her delegation in his office last Wednesday in Abuja said he was particularly happy that she has been living up to expectation and spreading the gospel of domestic tourism in Nigeria which he described “as the magic and a potent instrument capable of jump-starting and kindling the zeal of tourism consciousness in the nation.”
He said: “I am happy that you have discovered what is necessary and needed to unlock the hidden potentialities of this sector. You will discover that most of the countries reaping bountifully from tourism today first of all looked inside, took the tourism inventory in their countries, drove the consciousness in their own people, developed the sites, enhanced them and invited foreigners to come and see. This is exactly what Nigeria needs to do and it gladdens my heart that you are not only talking it, but doing everything practically possible to bring it to be. This is good.”
Mr Parradang said that statistics within the agency revealed that foreigners love to visit Nigeria tourism sites, but informed that some of them are skeptical about the status and facilities available in these sites adding “these are the areas which your organisation needs to work on.”
The CGI who used the opportunity to highlight what the agency has put on ground to further the cause of tourism and tourists said that “the focal points of his administration which is hinged on capacity building, robust border patrol, deployment of appropriate technology for monitoring and statistics analysis of foreigners and tourists in Nigeria.”
Mr Parradang disclosed that “The Federal Government of Nigeria has made Nigerian visa procurement easy and smooth. The Operation Get visa at point of entry has kicked off. There are facilities on ground now, where you can renew your visa in a day, there is no room for delay in obtaining Nigeria visa any longer.”
He revealed desire of the agency not only to partner with NTDC but to collaborate in any way that could add value to the domestic tourism vision of Mrs Mbanefo. “Whatever the case is and may be , just be assured that the Nigeria Immigration Services is not only in alliance with your vision of domestic tourism, but ready to support and collaborate with your corporation for the lifting of Nigeria’s tourism status in the comity of tourism states.”
In her response Mrs Mbanefo commended the Immigration boss for having a good grasp of the tourism sector “ I am impressed by your brilliant overview and suggestion about the tourism sector which revealed the fact that you are not only a thorough bred boss, but one having an informed global perspective of tourism trends. This is a good sign for us at NTDC. NIS is very important stakeholder to NTDC and it will be unwise if I did not pay respect to you and seek collaboration and advice. As partner in progress, we want a strong partnership with Nigeria Immigration Service, in the area of easy visa regime for the entire tourists that will attract the foreign investors.”
She disclosed further: “We are here to strengthen and lubricate the chord of relationship and collaboration which should be between the Immigration Service and NTDC, the two Siamese twins of the travel and tourism sector.”
Mrs Mbanefo said that no tourism agency can make any meaningful impact without a strategic partnership with the immigration service thus “our paying you this visit is to tell and show you our respect and appreciation of your import and essence to the tourism sector and the domestic tourism vision. We are happy that we met here a man who is well grounded in what we are about to sell to him. This has made my work smooth.”
She disclosed that no serious tourism driver of a nation would undermine the position and essence of Immigration service because “statistical data and effective border control is essential to the growth of tourism and protection of the nation security integrity.”
Mrs Mbanefo commended Mr Parradang for his sense of duty and the warm reception accorded her delegation.
“We commend you for your warm reception, enlightenment and assurance for collaboration and support, we are leaving here re-energised, reinvigorated and with the assurance of having a productive partner in Nigeria Immigration Services.”
