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Research Article Open Access
Performance Assessment of Lokoja Confluence Beach as a Tourist Site in Kogi
State, Nigeria
Samuel Oluwaseyi Olorunfemi
1
, Adebayo Adewunmi Emmanuel
2
1. Department of Transport Management, School of Management Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria
2. Department of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Environmental Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704, Akure, Nigeria
Corresponding author email: bayoemmanuel@gmail.com
International Journal of Marine Science, 2013, Vol.3, No.33 doi: 10.5376/ijms.2013.03.0033
Received: 05 May, 2013
Accepted: 03 Jun., 2013
Published: 02 Jul., 2013
Copyright 2013 Olorunfemi and Emmanuel, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which
permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Preferred citation for this article:
Olorunfemi and Emmanuel, 2013, Performance Assessment of Lokoja Confluence Beach as a Tourist Site in Kogi State, Nigeria, International Journal of
Marine Science, Vol.3, No.33 258-266 (doi: 10.5376/ijms.2013.03.0033)
Abstract Beach tourism is a global phenomenon mainly in coastal areas of countries with unique and favorable shorelines.
However, certain inland waterways serve same purpose of beach tourism. This research (as its objectives) exposes the condition of
amenities, identifies associated socio-economic benefits and reveals problems confronting the Lokoja Confluence Beach in Kogi
State, Nigeria. A survey design (with the aid of questionnaires and interview guide) was employed to obtain data from tourists,
managers of the Confluence Beach and government officials at the State Tourism Board. Purposive sampling technique was adopted
to select respondent tourists. Univariate analysis was employed to obtain relevant information from collated data. The research
findings revealed the existence of a few functional amenities and some uncompleted facility projects; diverse economic benefits to
residents; problems of petty crime, diversion of funds and poor sensitization. Recommendations include provision of supplementary
funds by the three tiers of government, development of strategic policy on marketing/sensitization and provision of amenities for
indoor games close to the beach front.
Keywords Beach tourism; Confluence beach; Tourism potential; Lokoja; Nigeria
1 Introduction
Tourism refers to the temporary movement of people
away from their usual place of abode to another
location for relaxation and leisure purpose (WTO,
2001; Bookman, 2006; Chiang and Song, 2008). In
recent years tourism has become an important factor
in the world trade and a major element in the balance
of payment of many countries. For countries, regions,
towns and villages which attract tourists in large
numbers, tourism could be a driver for their
socio-economic prosperity. Tourism generates wealth
and employment. It is a major source of income and
employment for individuals in many places endowed
with natural resources which cannot readily contribute
to the standard of living in an area, unless through the
process or medium of tourism (Burkart and Medlik,
1974).
Several seminars, workshops and conferences have
been held to discuss and assess the benefits of tourist
development in Kogi state, Nigeria. However, the
potentials of the Confluence Beach in the city of
Lokoja for socio-economic development of the state
and individuals have not been given much attention.
Both government and the private sector have not
harnessed the potential of the capital city, Lokoja (for
tourist development); a potential inherent in the
confluence nature of rivers Niger and Benue at this
location. This is revealed by the lack of well-developed
holiday resorts, thereby resulting in loss of revenue,
which should accrue to the state in addition to
improving the living standard of the residents. Apart
from the existence of other natural tourist attractions
within the state, the uniqueness of the Confluence
Beach constitutes a great advantage to tourism
development in the state and the nation at large. Water
tourism is presently being developed by a neighbouring
state, Ekiti but with specific focus on springs and
waterfalls. Further development of the Confluence
Beach in Kogi State will provide a blend of tourism
activities within the region.
The aim of this study, therefore, was to assess the
level of development of Lokoja Confluence Beach


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with a view to proffering workable solutions to the
existing problems. To achieve this aim, objectives
were set to examine the existing amenities at the
beach, identify socio-economic benefits accruable to
the people within the region and identify problems
associated with the beach tourism prospects.
2 Abridged Literature Review
2.1 Tourism and economic development
Tourism is defined as the activities of persons
travelling to and staying in places outside their usual
environment for not more than one year for leisure,
business and other purposes not related with the
exercise of an activity remunerated from within the
place visited (Olorunfemi and Raheem, 2008).
Tourism always plays an important role in economic
development of an area (Kammler and Schernewski,
2004). Tourism can have positive as well as negative
effects on an area. The impacts depend on the kind of
tourism developed in the tourist area and the volume
and characteristics of the tourists (extent of stay,
activity, type of transport, travel arrangement, type of
facilities available, etc). Tourism is like export
industries because it generates foreign exchange.
However, unlike export industries, consumers have to
travel to destinations to consume the products they
purchase (for example going to a beach or a theme
park in a different country; tourism products are
generally location specific). It is also important to know
that leakages take place as a result of capital flight.
The tourism industry is the largest industry in the
world. The prominence of the industry in trade is quite
widespread. According to the World Tourism
Organization (WTO, 2001), it ranks among the top
five export categories for 83% of countries and is the
prevailing source of foreign exchange earnings for not
less than 38% of them. In 2002, international tourism
increased by 3 percent to 715 million arrivals contrary
to expectation as this was one of the most difficult
times in recent tourism history (WTO, 2002). In 2001,
for the first time in nearly 20 years, international
tourist influxes actually declined by 0.6 percent. The
drop reflected the impacts of both the September 11
terrorist attacks on the United States of America, and
the global economic meltdown. Generally, tourism-
related spending accounted for some US $4.2 trillion
of global economic activity in 2002 and represented
12% of total world exports, according to the World
Tourism Organization (WTO). Despite the employment
slowdown, the activity generated an estimated 199
million jobs opportunity one in every 13 jobs
globally. Based on 2004 data, this was the largest
industry in the world, with receipts from international
tourism expenditure totalling US $474 billion in 2004
(WTO, 2005).
Receipts from international tourism in destinations
around the world grew by 4% in 2012 reaching US$
1.075 trillion (euro 837 billion) worldwide, up by 4%
in real terms, from US$ 1.042 trillion (euro 749 billion)
in 2011 (WTO, 2013). This growth is equal to the 4%
increase in international tourist arrivals which reached
1.035 billion in 2012. An additional US$ 219 billion
was recorded in receipts from international passenger
transport, bringing total export earnings generated by
international tourism in 2012 to US$ 1.3 trillion.
Tourism is very important for economic development
of a nation, through its positive effects on employment,
exports, spur of infrastructure provision, generation of
revenue, and promotion of international cultural
activities, peace and harmony. As observed by World
Tourism Organization (WTO, 2001), tourism is able to
contribute to a development which is economically,
ecologically, and socially sustainable, because it has
less impact on natural resources and the environment
than most other industries. Thus, tourism plays a great
role in promoting the principles of sustainable
development.
Africa, and particularly Nigerias landscape, is spotted
with natural tourist attractions that are comparable to
the best in the world. This is perfected by her rich
cultural and traditional heritage, which dates back to
over two thousand years (FRN, 2004). It possesses
distinctive tourist attractions, many of which are
overland safaris (national parks and exotic game
viewing), deep-sea recreational fishing, lake and river
fishing, archaeological tours, beach resorts and hotels,
exposition centres, coconut and palm groves, and
recreational beaches lined with trees (Felix and
Usman, 2008).
According to Butler (2006), in 2003, Nigeria
received 2.4 million tourists. The largest contingents
came from Niger (503,066), Benin (318,716) and
Ghana (167,167). In 2002 tourism receipts totalled
US $263 million. He further informed that the


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Nigerian government encouraged its citizens to
visit tourism destinations while concerns existed
regarding the quality of amenities and personal
safety.
Emelike (2012) reported that the 2012 Travel and
Tourism Economic Impact Report on Nigeria by
the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC)
indicated a steady growth in Nigerias GDP and
jobs-creation efforts over the last four years. He
further stressed that this development came
despite the recent distractions caused by series of
terrorist attacks in the northern part of the country.
The WTTC further forecast in the report that in
2012 alone, some 897,500 jobs, representing 1.4
percent of Nigerias total engaged workforce
would be generated by the travel and tourism
industry. With about N1,232.2 billion (3.3 percent)
contribution to the GDP in 2011; possible rise by
10.8 percent in 2012 and further increase by 7.0
percent annually to hit N2,690.8 billion in 2022,
the Nigerian travel and tourism industry is fast
opening up to huge investments. The job increase
forecast was expected to include employment by
hotels, travel agents, airlines as well as activities
of the restaurant and leisure industries directly
supported by tourists and other passenger services
(excluding commuter services).
2.2 Beach tourism and development
The beach is a tourism attraction. It is one of the most
highly sought-after locations by tourists. The function of
a beach (in tourism sense) depends on its ability to meet
the needs of tourists in terms of adequate amenities for
leisure, relaxation, fun, romance, adventure, security, etc
(Falco-Mammone, 2005). Beaches are tourist sites or
attractions that have economic value (i.e. beaches are
economic assets). These economic development benefits
could spread beyond the immediate environment of the
beach. Moreover, businesses at the beachfront are
supplied by businesses in nearby metropolitan areas
(James et al, 2005).
In more recent years, the beach has been a place of
diversion and recreation. It also has spiritual, natural
and cultural advantages (Urbain, 2003). In todays
world, beach tourism is diversifying in nature and
becoming more sophisticated while changing and
developing in response to tourist needs. Meanwhile
beach tourism incorporates other characteristics such
as art, culture and environmental aesthetics
(Falco-Mammone, 2005). Beaches are functional links
that exist between the land and the sea/ocean. They
are the main factor attracting humans to coastal areas,
and play a major role in increasing tourist potential in
such areas. Beach tourists engage in sunbathing,
camping, picnicking, and aquatic sports.
Despite associated economic benefits, beach resort
development faces problems due to the inability of
stakeholders to make sound decisions about sustainable
design. This is due in part to the complexity of the
sustainability issues and lack of a comprehensive
decision-making tool to assist in the process (Ahmed,
2001). Consequently such constraint has made the
venture less attractive until recently. Actually,
overtime, beaches face enormous challenges in the
form of pollution, weather problem, degradation and
overcrowding. The pollution (part of which poses
health risks to tourists) results from population growth
and increased development of coastal areas. In order
to make beaches more favourable and conducive,
countries like the United Kingdom, Jamaica, Canada,
Poland and New Zealand have established a rating
system for beach health and safety; featuring
information on pollution, availability of safety
materials for the tourists and security. This is
exemplified by the Blue Flag Campaign which started
in Europe in 1987 (Blue Flag Campaign, 2004).
Nonetheless, reconciling environmental quality and
tourism development has been the target of much
literature (Holden, 2000).
James (2000) has made an attempt in classifying
beaches. He identified ethnic, shared, intensive and
conservative beaches in his classification. The ethnic
beaches are situated in indigenous or strongly
traditional areas and are characterized by
infrastructure built with traditional architecture and
materials while shared beaches have two or more
simultaneous coastal activities, tourism being one of
them. Intensive beaches are focused on the leisure
experience of the tourists. Their main features are high
beach-user density, long tourist season, strong
infrastructure and facilities, and wide tourist services
while conservative beaches are focused on environmental
quality and protection of high natural values.


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Beach development involves gradual growth of sandy
area beside the sea, lake or river that is strongly
developed for the purpose of recreation, tourism and
leisure activities. This type of resort (Beach) is highly
favored by certain factors, which include favorable
climate, efficient transport system and recreational
facilities for different age groups. However, not all
coastal areas are suitable for beach tourism or
recreation. Muddy beaches or those with narrow strip
or high tide are inimical to development as resort.
Beach beautification is enhanced by both hard and soft
landscaping elements which include inorganic
elements (roads, paths, sculptures, statues, buildings,
etc) as hard landscaping materials, and organic or
natural elements (ornamental plants such as trees) as
soft landscaping elements.
3 The Study Area
Lokoja is both the capital city and a Local Government
Area in Kogi State which is located in the North Central
Geopolitical Zone of Nigeria. It lies on 749N and
645E with a population of 195,261 at the 2006
census (NPC, 2006). Lokoja is one of the oldest
cities in Nigeria which enjoyed a great deal of
prominence as a trading port city during the boom of
European commercial activities in the 1950s and
essentially as a confluence city. Lokoja has a
heterogeneous population which includes the Yoruba,
Igala, Ebira, Oworo and Hausa tribes among others. It
is approximately 162 kilometres from Abuja, the
Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria and covers an area
of about 3,180 square kilometres. Major occupations
are farming and fishing. The Confluence Beach was
established in 1992 along Gannaja-Ajaokuta road to
meet the need for tourism, recreation and leisure
activity. Figure 1 shows the location of Kogi State in
Nigeria while Figure 2 shows the location of Lokoja
Local Government Area in Kogi State. Figure 3 shows
the site of the Lokoja Confluence Beach.
























Figure 1 Map of Nigeria showing the location of Kogi State
Note: Source: Kogi State Ministry of Land and Environment, 2008



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Figure 2 Map of Kogi State showing the location of Lokoja
local government area
Note: Source: Kogi State Ministry of Land and Environment,
2008. 1. Yagba East; 2. Yagba West; 3. Lokoja; 4. Mopa amuro;
5. Kabba/Bunu; 6. Ijumu; 7. Okechi; 8. Adavi; 9. Ajaokuta; 10.
Okene; 11. Kogi; 12. Basa; 13. Omala; 14. Dekina; 15. Ofu; 16.
Ankpa; 17. Olamaboro; 18. Idah; 19. Ibaji; 20. Ogori Magongo;
21. Igalamala-odolu























Figure 3 Lokoja confluence beach
Note: Source: Google maps, 2013

4 Research Methodology
Purposive sampling technique was employed to select
tourists for data gathering. This was due to lack of
definite study population or sampling frame to work
with despite the availability of monthly data on
number of tourists. Specifically, 375 questionnaires
were administered to tourists. Field assistants were
engaged and sensitized to administer the questionnaires
and retrieve such from tourists immediately. The
survey was conducted from Monday to Sunday of the
last week in May, 2008 which included a public
holiday in Nigeria. Also, interview was conducted
with the Director of Kogi State Tourism Board and the
General Manager of the Confluence Beach Hotel to
obtain other relevant information. Univariate analysis
of data was carried out with the aid of Statistical
Package for Social Science (SPSS) Version 16.
5 Discussion of Research Findings
5.1 Socio-economic characteristics of the respondents
As indicated on Table 1, a few more male visitors
(57.33% of tourists) than female were found among
respondents. This indicated the need for provision of
varieties of beach compatible recreational amenities
without bias for particular sex interest. The middle age
groups of 21-30 years and 31-40 years dominated the
visitors as these groups represent 43.0% and 17.3%
respectively; making up about 60% of the tourists.
The younger of these groups is likely dominated by
single student tourists while the older constitutes
mainly the working and married class with potential to
afford tourism or recreation outside immediate
environment with or without family members. This is
a characteristic of tourist products and consumers (i.e.
the products are income elastic; higher income,
increased consumption or purchases because tourism
depends on disposable income). This equally goes far
in determining the type of amenities needed along the
beach for recreation aside the fact that most would
come sunbathing and game viewing.
The fact that more than 80% of the tourists have a
minimum of secondary school education confirms the
influence of education and enlightenment on tourists
behaviour. This also implies the need for regular
public enlightenment to attract the uneducated to
tourism and also create awareness (about existing
tourist amenities) for the educated.
As earlier indicated by the dominant age groups, the
tourists were mainly single (58.67%) and married
(33.33%) working class. Furthermore, the data on
occupational status affirms the economic capability of
the tourists as a total of 53.33% of the tourists were


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Table 1 Socio-economic Characteristics of Tourists
S/N Sex distribution Frequency Percentage
1. Male 215 57.33
2. Female 160 42.67
Total 375 100
Age Structure Frequency Percentage
1. 1-10 Years 22 5.90
2. 11-20 Years 58 15.50
3. 21-30 Years 160 43.00
4. 31-40 Years 65 17.30
5. 41-50 Years 30 8.00
6. Above 50 Years 40 10.70
Total 375 100
Educational Status Frequency Percentage
1. Primary School 65 17.30
2. Secondary School 125 33.30
3. Tertiary School 185 49.30
Total 375 100
Marital Status Frequency Percentage
1. Single 220 58.67
2. Married 125 33.33
3. Widowed 10 2.70
4. Divorced 20 5.33
Total 375 100
Occupational Status Frequency Percentage
1. Unemployed 5 1.33
2. Students 170 45.33
3. Self-employed 30 8.00
4. In Private Sector 69 16.00
5. In Civil Service 110 29.33
Total 375 100
Income (N) Frequency Percentage
1. 10,000-19,000 15 4.00
2. 20,000-29,000 40 10.67
3. 30,000-39,000 45 12.00
4. 40,000-49,000 55 14.67
5. 50,000 59,000 85 22.67
6. 60,000 and above 135 36.00
Total 375 100
Note: Source: Authors field survey, September 2008

employed in the civil service, private sector and were
entrepreneurs while 45.33% were students. Only
1.33% of the tourists were unemployed. This does not
take into consideration the fact that there were
dependent tourists such as children since the data
gathering realistically focused on mature respondents.
As could be observed on Table 1, the number of
tourists increased as the income of the tourists
increased; so that the richest group constituted the
highest number of tourists at the beach. This equally
affirmed the position of Ode (2011) that the level of
income in the society determines the level of tourism
participation.
5.2 Awareness of Lokoja confluence beach
Figure 4 indicates that the highest percentage
(54.66%) of tourists became aware of Lokoja Beach
during interaction with their friends while
advertisement on electronic media contributed to
awareness by some 32.0% of the tourists (Figure 4).


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Figure 4 How tourists knew about the Confluence Beach?
Note: Author's Field Survey, September 2008

Others got to know about this beach and associated
amenities through newspaper adverts. However, it
is of importance to mention that much of the
electronic media and newspaper paper awareness
were created through the local media. This limited
the tourist attraction to mainly local visitors and a
few foreigners who became aware of it by chance.
5.3 Perception on level of Lokoja Confluence
Beach development
The perception of tourists on the development of the
beach seemed to be clearly polarized at two extremes
(Table 2). Certain factors were responsible for such
scenario. First, tourists exposure to what ought to be
the ideal conditions of beaches for recreation
influenced their perception (especially those who
viewed it as underdeveloped). Such awareness came
from various sources which included television and
internet with respect to conditions of beaches across
the globe. Second, the condition of supporting
recreational amenities equally affected perception (which
may be either positive or negative). Some other factors
might be responsible too but in most cases, it would have
been a combination of more than one factor.

Table 2 Perception on the level of development of the confluence beach
S/N Level of Development Frequency Percentage
1. Well developed 150 40.00
2. Developed 30 8.00
3. Underdeveloped 195 51.40
Total 374 100
Note: Source: Author's Field Survey, September 2008

5.4 Conditions and quality of products at the
Lokoja Confluence Beach
Availability of amenities which meet the need of
tourists is a key factor that attracts visitors for the
purpose of recreation, leisure, religion, meeting and
conferences among others (Nick, 2008). Such
amenities must meet the need of various groups of
tourists which include adults, children and the aged.
This will also boost the local economy of the residents
in the tourist attraction environment. The amenities
identified at Lokoja Beach include conference hall,
basketball court, Tennis court, spa/wellness centre and
gymnasium. Others are swimming pool (for adult and
children), restaurant/supermarket, laundry facility, a
garden and an entertainment centre. The presence of
amenities for the youths made the beach attractive to
students especially during holiday and festive periods.
However, some of these amenities needed to be
improved while some others were still under
construction at the time of investigation. The state of
some of the amenities is revealed as follows:
a) Swimming Pool Area
The swimming pool was well equipped for swimming,
diving and other water sports (Figure 5). It was very
clean and also conducive for relaxation. The pool had
its restaurant and bar with provision for musical
entertainment. This made the pool very attractive to
tourists; hence it was usually a busy area at the beach
especially at weekends and festive periods. It attracted
a three hundred naira (N300) charge for adults and one
hundred naira (N100) for children between the ages of
8 and 12.







Figure 5 Lokoja beach swimming pool


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b) Beach Entertainment Centre
This centre was designed for live performances by
entertainers (Figure 6). The centre was fairly
conducive for its purpose though there was need to
improve the surrounding landscape in order to make it
more attractive. The centre was always busier in the
night than daytime and the necessary authority needed
to be consulted for permission to use the centre.
However, the centre was not usually as busy as the
swimming pool.








Figure 6 Lokoja beach entertainment centre

c) Basketball Court
The basketball court did not attract many tourists.
Most times, it was used by visiting students and a few
other tourists with passion for the game. The court
needed to be upgraded to international standard as it
was not sufficiently attractive to visiting tourists
(Figure 7).







Figure 7 Lokoja beach basketball court

d) Fishing Festival Arena
This is an area where the fishing festival took place
annually. It was designed to celebrate the winners
of the fishing competition which was usually
organized at the beach on annual basis in October
or November. It was also a location for eating
pepper soup made with fresh fish from the river.
Several tourists visit this site to enjoy some fresh
soup with their loved ones (Figure 8).
e) Beach Restaurant and Supermarket
The restaurant and supermarket (Figure 9) was fairly






Figure 8 Arena for beach fishing festival







Figure 9 The beach restaurant and supermarket

equipped with necessary amenities such as air
conditioning and other essential amenities. It was
owned and fully managed by the Confluence Beach
Hotel with provision of food in the restaurant and
various items in the supermarket. It was equally
maintained with a high level of cleanliness in its
existing environment. Same Hotel owns and
oversees the restaurant and bar at the swimming
pool with spaces let out to private restaurant
operators and traders in diverse items.
Other amenities at the beach included the Tennis
court and the Beach Island (Figure 10) which were
under construction at the time of visit to the site. It
was expected that this would attract more tourists to
the beach for fun and relaxation.







Figure 10 Lokoja beach island under construction

5.5 The Socio-economic impacts of Lokoja confluence
beach
The emergence of the confluence beach has boosted
the microeconomy of many individuals in the region.
Both service and product oriented jobs had been created


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by the unique nature of the beach due to the
confluence factor and the provision of some amenities.
In this wise, job opportunities increased through
increase in number of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs
and the provision of necessary goods and services in
the area. Table 3 shows the salary statuses of
employees at the beach. The presence of the open
market at the beach particularly during festive periods
was a major economic booster to the lives of the
people within the region. Provision of fun ride for
tourists on the river through the use of canoes was
equally another avenue for income generation. This
was for a fare of N200 per tourist. The government
also benefited from taxation of goods and services
within the area. The opportunity to meet with
persons from different cultures and backgrounds
was also of benefit to the social life of the people
within the region.

Table 3 Salaries of employees at the confluence beach
S/N Salary range Frequency Percentage
1. Below N20,000 48 61.5
2 N20,000 - N 29,000 20 25.6
3 N30,000 - N 39,0000 7 9.0
4 N 40,0000 and above 3 3.9
Total 78 100.0
Note: Source: Author's field survey, September 2008

However, certain social vices were also associated
with the activities at the beach. These included
prostitution and robbery. In this vein, the management
of the beach in conjunction with the Kogi State
Tourism Board developed guidelines to curb activities
that may be detrimental to the life and property of
tourists during their stay; most especially at festive
periods. Additionally, the high susceptibility of the
beach to flooding was manifested during the 2012
large-scale flooding of several parts of the country.
This limited access of tourists to the beach especially
at the peak of rainy season.
5.6 Development challenges facing Lokoja
confluence beach
The state board and managers of the beach identified
some problems confronting beach tourism in the study
area. A major problem was the relatively low
patronage compared with other sites or facilities in the
country (such as several beaches in the city of Lagos).
Several factors were responsible for this. Lack and
diversion of funds to other government projects were
identified as a major problem in the development of
the beach. Lack of policy implementation towards
developing the beach was not left out of the list of
problems. Poor power supply to the area posed a
major challenge too while the bridges linking the
confluence point to the beach was yet to be
constructed. This served as a major constraint to
tourists who would like to see the confluence point but
have the phobia for water transport as provided by
canoes. There was need to complete the construction
of some of the amenities at the beach such as the
tennis court and the confluence island as mentioned
earlier while some other amenities needed upgrading
to world standard. It was equally discovered that there
was no police post (to curb identified social vices) or
healthcare facility within the beach territory. The
problem of poor awareness at international front also
came into view as the government had not done
enough to project the image of the beach on the
international scene.
6 Policy Recommendations and Conclusion
Lokoja Confluence Beach had immense tourism
potentials that could aid its development beyond the
present situation. Such potentials included the
confluence point of both Rivers Niger and Benue and
relics of historical significance. In order to achieve the
required improvement, certain recommendations are
necessary. There is need for supplementary funding
from the three tiers of government in order to provide
more amenities and upgrade existing ones. Such funds
are to be disbursed and monitored to prevent diversion
at any level. Revenue generation could be achieved
through collection of token fees to use amenities that
are provided. Furthermore, development of marketing
and sensitization policy (enriched with diverse
strategies and through various media) to attract both
local and foreign tourists would help to improve both


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local and national economy. The policy needs to
include specific management strategies at peak
patronage periods such as festive periods and the
provision of souvenirs in the process of advertisement.
There would be need to improve on security measures
to continually prevent social vices and specifically the
possibility of terrorist attack on the site. On the
amenities, there would be need to reconstruct the road
and bridge which links the confluence point at the
beach while regular power supply should not be left
out. The indoor sports hall should be provided to
accommodate associated games within the area in
order to complement existing amenities.
The tourism industry is labour intensive and people
oriented, embracing a wide range of occupation, skills,
and private sector initiatives. The industry offers a
vast range of investment and job opportunities which
are sometimes new and very often provide unequalled
opportunity for improving the living standard of the
people. Furthermore, tourism also offers outstanding
opportunity for enhanced economic prosperity at
macro level as it contributes to national economies. It
is believed that the implementation of stated
recommendations would facilitate achievement of
personal, community and national benefits.
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