Residents and business owners in Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State may soon see more economic activities as the state government moves ahead with the redevelopment of the Obudu Ranch Resort under a 25-year concession arrangement.
The concession, involving the Cross River State Government and Living Curation Real Estate Limited, is expected to bring new investment into the famous Obudu tourism destination and open up opportunities for people living around the resort.
Governor Bassey Otu said the development would not only be about rebuilding the resort but would also help transform Obanliku by creating jobs and attracting more visitors to the area.
According to the state government, the project will cover the redevelopment of the Obudu Ranch Resort, Utanga Safari Lodge and the Bebi Airstrip, with the aim of turning the facilities into competitive tourism and hospitality destinations.
For people in Obanliku, the expected benefit goes beyond tourists coming to visit the mountain.
The government says farmers, artisans, transport operators, traders and other small business owners in Obanliku, Obudu and other parts of Cross River are expected to benefit from the increased economic activities that the project could bring.
This means local farmers could have a bigger market for their agricultural products, while transporters, food sellers, artisans, hotel workers and other service providers could see more customers as tourist activities increase.
The government also plans to redevelop the Utanga Safari Lodge into a modern conservation centre where wildlife protection, biodiversity, environmental education and eco-tourism can take place.
The Bebi Airstrip is also part of the wider development plan, potentially improving access to the tourism destination and making it easier for visitors to travel to the area.
For years, the Obudu Ranch has remained one of Cross River's biggest tourism attractions, but the facility has suffered setbacks and periods of inactivity.
The Cross River Government had earlier taken steps to recover and revive the resort after terminating a previous concession arrangement. The government said the facility had suffered serious damage and vandalism before the latest redevelopment plans.
The new concession is therefore being presented as another major attempt to return Obudu to its position as one of Nigeria's leading tourist destinations.
For ordinary people in Obanliku, however, the biggest question will be how much of the promised investment will translate into real jobs, contracts and business opportunities for local residents.
If successfully implemented, the project could change the economic situation around Obudu and Obanliku by bringing more tourists, investors and businesses into the area.
The expectation is now that the concession will move beyond promises and translate into visible development that the people of Obanliku can feel in their communities.
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