One of the ministerial nominees of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dele Alake, has stated that revenue generation from tourism may not be possible without adequate provision of security, social and infrastructural facilities by a nation.
Alake who stated this while answering questions during his screening at the Senate on Wednesday August 2, 2023, said no county can development in the area of tourism without putting security and other necessary social and infrastructural facilities in place.
A lawmaker from Kwara State had asked how the ministerial hopeful will generate revenue through tourism, if opportuned to be appointed as a minister of information.
In his reaction to the question, Alake made it known that there are many things to be put in place before thinking of generating revenue in the tourism sector, noting that a house with a solid foundation may crumble.
According to him, people can only think of going to tourist centres after they have been well fed, and security of their lives and properties is guaranteed, as well as good road networks and other amenities to make their lives comfortable, are being put in place.
The former Lagos commissioner who sited Ikogosi waterfall as an example, said tourists can only be attracted to tourism centres when necessary infrastructures are being put in place.
“No building can stand without a solid foundation.
“After the foundation is erected, we can start to lay the building blocks.
“Those factors are the foundation on which the building blocks will be laid, and they are very necessary to be put in place,” Alake said.