By our Reporter
Delta State government says it has no intention to sell Lander Brothers’ Anchorage, Asaba, one of the historic tourist sites in the State to private individuals.
State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Darlington Ijeh gave this clarification during a chat with newsmen, while reacting to rumours making the round to the effect that the historic site has been sold off to private individuals.
He however was unhappy over the alleged failure of a company which entered into an agreement with the State government on BOT ( Build, Operate and Transfer) basis in managing the Anchorage, to deliver according to the specified terms.
The Commissioner told newsmen that Messrs Jabi Boat Club Abuja had “on 1st December, 2020, entered into agreement with the State government “to build, operate and transfer within a specified period, with operation of the facility expected to have commenced in year 2023” .
He lamented that “all the contractor had done on the site was to demolish the structure that was a tourist site and generating revenue for the State and youths of the community who had small businesses where the Lander Brothers’ Anchorage is located in Asaba”.
The Culture Commissioner further noted that more worrisome was that Messrs Jabi Boat Club, Abuja was contracted the same day with that of the Maryam Babangida Leisure Park and Film Village, pointing out that while the Leisure Park had been built and successfully handed over to the State government and subsequently commissioned for use by Deltans, it wasn’t so with Jabi.
As a result, the Commissioner said Jabi Boat Club has been given a 48-hour ultimatum to state why the contract should not be terminated.