Epe residents want Ambode to revive abandoned heritage sites

Some residents of Epe in Lagos State have called on Akinwunmi Ambode, to resuscitate abandoned tourists and heritage sites across their communities. They made the plea in separate interviews on Wednesday. Among the major communities in Epe are IbejuLekki, Agbowa-ikosin and Eredo.

The residents said that the revival of the sites would reposition the tourism industry in the ancient communities.

A resident, Sulaiman Oluwo said that the abandoned tourist sites had hindered development of the tourism industry in the division.

According to Oluwo, the communities are blessed with enormous tourism potentials that could attract local and international tourists into the division if resuscitated and put to better use.

Opeyemi Ibrahim, a tourist, said that the division was one of the places he loved to visit. Ibrahim said he had been visiting Epe in the last few years and found the community interesting for relaxation and entertainment.

“The government needs to promote the enviable potentials to attract investors. The community is losing millions of naira worth of investment, government needs to pay urgent attention to it, to boost its economy,” the tourist said.

Also, Peju Akanji, a businesswoman, appealed to the government to revive the moribund industries in Epe, to create employment opportunities for the indigenes.

She said the revival of the industries would not only create expand opportunities for youths but boost the socio- economic development of the community.

“It will also increase the local and state government’s revenue, alleviate poverty and reduce unemployment challenges in the community,’’ she said.

Ademola Olufowobi, a resident, identified some of the moribund industries to include, Epe Sawmill, the only plywood industry in Epe.

Others are, Agric-yes, a project of former Governor Babatunde Fashola in Epe, Water Corporation (Epe Water Works), as well as privately owned industries like, Oluwalogbon Motors in Ilara- Epe, Nigerian Lamp Industry and Adebowale Electronics, owned by late Beyioku Adebowale and the Oluwo Fish Market.